NEW MASTER
Renewed #2
Pastor Brandon Cross
Woodland Church
Sunday, August 9, 2026
(Romans 6:20-23) “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
MAIN IDEA:
When we become believers in Christ, new creations, we are to no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus who died and rose again for us! We shift from serving our own desires to serving Him!
“A NEW MASTER”
PART 1: WHAT IT MEANS
Shifting from serving ourselves to serving Christ means moving from a life bound by sin and death to a free life given by God.
1. New Allegiance
2. New Desires and Nature
- Verse 20: The Past Life Under Sin
- Verse 21: The Fruit of the Old Life
- Verse 22: The Present Life Under God
- Verse 23: The Great Contrast
APPLICATION:
We need to recognize that living our lives outside of serving Christ yields nothing of lasting value and leads to death/permanent separation from God. Our life serving Him leads to holiness, renewed purpose, and eternal life. We are to be governed or ruled by this understanding and it is to be what drives us to serve Him in all areas of our lives.
PART 2: PUTTING INTO PRACTICE DAILY
1. Renew Your Mind – Romans 12:1-2
- Start with Scripture
- Set your focus
- Pray for guidance
APPLICATION:
We are to intentionally look to God’s Word to direct our day and to set the tone for how we approach our lives daily. He speaks to us through His Word and it is how we should start every day!
2. Pause and Filter – James 1:19-21
- Use the pause rule: Do not react but respond
- Filter your words
- Guard your eyes, ears, etc.
APPLICATION:
This is about intention and discipline. We are to consciously and actively filter our responses rather than to react with our natural instinct. It means measuring how we respond to God’s Word in all situations!
3. Shift Your Motivation – Colossians 3:23-24; Galatians 5:13-14
- Work for God
- Serve others first
- Practice honesty
APPLICATION:
Let each day be an exercise in everything we do and say be considered service to God and for the eternal benefit of others. Ask how our effort, attitude, treatment of others reflects who God is and how He feels about others we are in contact with.
4. Review and Repent – Lamentations 3:39-40; Acts 3:19-20; 2 Corinthians 7:10
- Reflect on choices
- Confess quickly
- Rest in grace
APPLICATION:
Daily reflecting on our progress and our representation of Christ to others is a healthy way of getting feedback on where we are at in our walk with Him. We seek to grow and acknowledge where we fall short, not to sink into guilt or feeling unworthy, but to identify areas in our lives where He can make us stronger and areas where we need Him to overcome our “natural” tendencies. (Remember, progress not perfection…yet)
MAIN IDEA RECAP:
When we become believers in Christ, new creations, we are to no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus who died and rose again for us! We shift from serving our own desires to serving Him!
CALL TO ACTION:
- Repentance – Review how you are responding daily and repent of anything that does not honor Jesus. Ask for help to remove those things which pull you away from serving Him wholeheartedly.
- Salvation – If you have not yet decided to surrender to Jesus, repent and admit your need for Him to forgive your sins and believe that He has forgiven you. Accept Him as Lord of your life and commit to live for Him today.
- Renewal (mental/emotional/spiritual) – Take the time now to just sit and allow Him to bring renewal, peace, comfort, clarity, stability, etc. Believe that He can and will do that for you.