A New Man

by Garry Floyd

Text: John 3:1-18

1. What Does It Mean to Be “A New Man”?
   • II Corinthians 5:16–17
   • Paul declares that in Christ we no longer evaluate life merely from a human point of view. To be a New Man is not cosmetic change or religious language. It is a complete transformation of identity, purpose, and direction. The New Man lives with eternity in view, not as though the present physical state is all that matters.
   • If the New Man is more than flesh and circumstance, then the question becomes this: what guides his values and his witness in a world obsessed with appearances?
2. A New Man Is Not Defined by Outward Appearances
   • II Corinthians 5:12–13; Ephesians 5:29
   • The New Man does not boast in appearance, reputation, or approval. He upholds the integrity of God’s Word even when it costs him popularity. The world may call him extreme or unreasonable, but faithfulness has never been a popularity contest. God understands humanity’s tendency to focus on the flesh, yet He calls the New Man to something higher, just as Christ lovingly cares for His Church.
   • Standing firm against the world requires more than resolve. It requires a transformed heart anchored in the finished work of Christ.
3. A New Man Lives for Christ, Not for Himself
   • II Corinthians 5:15; II Corinthians 5:18
   • The New Man reveres the sacrifice of Jesus, who conquered sin and death. Because Christ died for all, the New Man no longer lives for himself but for the One who died and rose again. He recognizes that reconciliation with God was not his achievement. God was in Christ, restoring His creation to Himself.
   • When reconciliation becomes our foundation, purpose begins to shape our daily walk.
4. A New Man Lives with God-Given Purpose
   • Isaiah 43:18–19
   • The New Man does not live chained to the past. God is doing a new thing and continues to make a way where there seems to be no way. Deliverance from sin is not theoretical. It is personal, ongoing, and purposeful. God’s divine purpose defines the believer’s destiny.
   • Purpose must be expressed in practice. A new identity calls for new behaviors.
5. New Man Behaviors: Putting On the New Self
   • Colossians 3:10; Matthew 26:41
   • The New Man intentionally puts on the new self, like replacing worn and ill-fitting clothes with a garment made just for him. This renewal requires effort and perseverance. Jesus’ command to watch and pray reminds us that spiritual vulnerability demands spiritual discipline.
   • Discipline can feel daunting, especially when weakness is evident. Yet God has not left the New Man without help.
6. Prayer, Weakness, and God’s Sovereign Work
   • Romans 8:26; Romans 8:28–30
   • The New Man does not retreat from God because of weakness. Even when words fail, the Spirit intercedes. The promise that all things work together for good is not about comfort or ease. It is about conformity to Christ, deeper fellowship with God, fruitful living, and final glorification.
   • As God reshapes the heart, He also calls for decisive action against sin.
7. Putting Sin to Death and Honoring God in Relationships
   • Colossians 3:5; Colossians 3:8–9
   • Scripture speaks plainly. The New Man puts to death what is earthly within him. Sinful behaviors are not managed; they are eliminated.
   • God also expects the New Man to put away attitudes and actions that destroy godly influence and spiritual encouragement in relationships.
   • Changed behavior flows from renewed thinking. A transformed life begins in the mind.
8. New Man Thinking: A Renewed Mind and Identity
   • Colossians 3:1–3; Ephesians 2:8–10
   • The New Man sets his mind on things above and asks, “What would Jesus do?” He understands that salvation is by grace and that he is God’s workmanship, created to display His glory by breaking destructive cycles and building a life that honors God.
   • Renewed thinking also restores God’s original design and reminds us where we came from.
9. God’s Design, Our Unity, and Our Access to God
   • Ephesians 4:22–24; Ephesians 2:14–15; Ephesians 2:18–19
   • The New Man embraces God’s design for humanity, created in His likeness. He does not forget that without Christ, he was lost, without hope, and without God in the world. Through the blood of Jesus, he has been brought near, granted access to the Father, and made a fellow citizen with the saints.
   • To fully understand the New Man, we must also understand why God desired something new in the first place.
10. Why God Wanted a New Man: Lessons from Redemptive History
    • Key Exodus through the Gospels
      • Complaining and Doubting (Exodus 14:11–12): A rescued people with an unrenewed heart still longed for bondage.
      • Idolatry Breaks Covenant Intimacy (Exodus 32:7–10): A divided heart cannot sustain closeness with a holy God.
      • Discontent Reveals Distrust (Numbers 11:1; 14:11): Grumbling exposes a failure to trust God’s character and provision.
      • Faith Without Remembrance Fades (Judges 2:16–21): Forgetting what God has done leads to spiritual collapse.
      • Wanting to Fit In Replaces Divine Identity (I Samuel 8:4–9): Imitating the world costs us God’s unique calling.
      • Worship Without Obedience Is Empty (Isaiah 1:1–15): God rejects praise that is disconnected from righteous living.
      • Ritual Without Compassion Misses God’s Heart (Amos 5:21–24): Justice and mercy reveal true devotion.
      • The Greatest Heartbreak (John 1:9–11): God came in the flesh, and His own people did not recognize Him.
      • Promise of a New Covenant (Jeremiah): God promised transformation from the inside out.
      • Jesus’ Lament (Matt. 23:37–39): God’s longing heart grieves over resistant people.
    • God did not need better rules. He desired transformed hearts. The New Man is God’s answer to humanity’s repeated failure.
      With this history in view, the call to live as the New Man becomes both urgent and sacred.
    • The New Man exists because the old way could not sustain covenant faithfulness. God was not after external conformity but inward transformation. In Christ, God fulfilled His promise of a New Covenant, writing His will on renewed hearts.
11. Closing Exhortation: Put On the New Man
    • Church, hear this clearly: becoming a New Man is not a suggestion; it is a divine requirement (Ephesians 4:24). God commands us to put on the new self, created according to His righteousness and holiness. This is not optional Christianity. This is covenant obedience.
    • And do not deceive yourself into thinking there will be another moment, another window, another chance to respond. Scripture is plain: we live once, we die once, and we stand before God (Hebrews 9:27; II Corinthians 6:2). Today is the day of grace. Tomorrow is not promised.
    • This world is your last stop. If you are waiting to “see what God is going to do,” hear me, God has already done it. He has spoken. He has moved. He has sent His Son. He has poured out His Spirit. Waiting now is not faith, it is delay (Acts 24:25).
    • God has done a new thing (Isaiah 43:19). He has made us new in Christ and reconciled us to Himself (II Corinthians 5:17). The question is not whether God is moving. The question is whether you perceive it and respond to it. We are called to lay our lives on the altar as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. That is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1-2).
    • And when we refuse to surrender our flesh, when we cling to the old life, we grieve the heart of God just as Israel did in their rebellion.
    • Do not repeat their mistake. Do not harden your heart. Even now, Christ is pleading for you (Romans 8:34). He stands at the right hand of the Father, interceding on your behalf (Heb. 7:25). Heaven is advocating for your obedience.
    • Somebody says, “But what if I can’t live up to this?” Listen, with God, nothing is impossible (Philippians 4:13). You were never called to do this in your own strength. And when you stumble, God has already made provision. The call is not perfection. The call is repentance. Get back up and keep following Jesus (I John 2:1).
    • So what are you waiting for? Perfect conditions? There is no such thing. God already provides the sun and rain for everyone (Matthew 5:45). While you wait for perfect weather, eternity moves forward. The real question is this: who are you choosing to be while you wait?
    • Are you waiting on your family? Your parents? Your spouse? Your past? Or are you trying to squeeze everything you can out of the old life before you surrender? Jesus said following Him costs everything (Luke 14:26). But what you gain is life.
    • So hear the plea of Scripture: do not receive the grace of God in vain (II Corinthians 6:1-2). God says, “I heard you at the right time, and I helped you on the day of salvation.” And that day is not someday. That day is now.
      • Now is the acceptable time.
      • Now is the day of salvation.
      • Now is the moment to put on the New Man.