L3 Sermon | May 4, 2025

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Change vs. Exchange – David Nasser

Sermon Highlights

Key Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” The Christian life is not just about becoming better—it’s about becoming new. It’s not focused on self-improvement but on surrender. Following Jesus means exchanging our old ways for His life in us. This kind of transformation comes not through effort but through abiding in Christ and allowing His power to work in us.

Change is good, but exchange is better.

  • In Christ, we exchange achieving with receiving.

  • In Christ, we exchange rules for the Ruler.

  • In Christ, we exchange willpower for His power.

  • In Christ, we exchange upgrading for uprooting.

  • In Christ, we exchange New Year resolutions for old life resignation.

  • In Christ, we exchange climbing up for giving up.

This kind of exchange leads to real and lasting transformation.

INTRO

Icebreaker Question: If you could replace one of your bad habits with a good one—no effort required—what would you swap out?

Transition to Group Discussion Time: It’s easy to talk about swapping habits, but real transformation goes deeper. Let’s look at what Scripture says about what it means to exchange our old life for something new in Christ.

GROUP DISCUSSION TIME

  • Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. What’s the difference between self-improvement and becoming a new creation in Christ?

  • How does the idea of exchanging your life for Christ’s challenge how you usually approach spiritual growth?

  • What does it mean to follow the Ruler instead of following the rules—and how has that shift played out in your life?

  • Read John 15:4–5. What helps you stay connected to Jesus instead of slipping back into striving or independence?

  • When have you seen willpower fall short—and how did God’s power meet you in that moment?

  • Is there anything in your life God might be trying to uproot, even if it’s something you thought was good?

  • What’s one area where surrendering control feels especially difficult right now?

  • Read Philippians 3:7–9. If you fully embraced the exchange of your old life for Christ’s, what would change today?

NEXT STEP

As we close, take a moment to reflect: What’s one area in your life you’ve been trying to fix, manage, or improve—when what you really need is to fully surrender it and let Christ exchange it for something new? Write that down—just a word or phrase—somewhere you’ll see it this week.

PRAYER

Now let’s enter a time of guided prayer. I’ll lead us with short phrases, and after each one, take a moment to pray silently in your own heart.

Read slowly, pausing after each line:

Jesus, thank You that in You, I am a new creation
(pause)
Help me let go of trying to improve what You want to replace
(pause)
Show me where I’m clinging to old patterns instead of receiving new life
(pause)
Teach me to stop striving and start abiding in You
(pause)
I exchange my weakness for Your strength… my effort for Your grace
(pause)
I trust that what You give is better than what I let go
(pause)
Jesus, thank You for doing what we could never do for ourselves. Help us live this week like the new creations we are—abiding in You and walking in Your power.