"Life Made New" Easter Day Sermon

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The promise is for any man or any woman that puts themself in Christ, they are “made new”

Introduction:

Welcome to our church on this Easter Sunday! Today, we have gathered here to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We rejoice in the victory over sin and death, a victory made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Please turn to 2 Corinthians 5:17

Joke: There was a family driving to Easter service and while hey are in the car the mother is teaching her young daughter to be quiet during the church service. The mother the young girl a question.... “Why do you think we need to be quiet during the church service?” The little girl thought for a moment and replied, “Oh I know why we should be quiet in church! It’s because people are sleeping!”

This morning I know some people might be a bit tired....many people have been preparing 1,000+ Easter Eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt after the service....you might say they are a bit “eggs-hausted”

But I will try not to put you to sleep this morning.

(Stand) “Let’s stand together in honor of the reading of God’s Word”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

I. The Old Life: The Reality of Sin and Death

Before we can fully appreciate the new life we have in Christ, we must first acknowledge the reality of sin and death in our lives.

In Romans 3:23, the apostle Paul writes, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Every one of us has fallen short of God's perfect standard. As a result, we are separated from God, and the wages of our sin is death (Romans 6:23 KJV).

Yet, in His great love and mercy, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from the consequences of our sin. Jesus lived a sinless life and willingly laid down His life on the cross, taking the punishment that we deserved upon Himself.

ILLUSTRATION: Many stories have emerged of truly brave individuals who selflessly risked their lives to save others during the Holocaust. One story that is impossible to forget is that of Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish man who was sent to Auschwitz concentration camp in 1941.

The Nazis slowly starved prisoners at the death camp as they each received small rations that couldn’t sustain a child. Every prisoner received a cup of imitation coffee each morning and weak soup and half a loaf of bread following work. With everyone struggling to secure a place to receive their ration of food, Father Maximilian Kolbe would stand aside to allow others to eat, which meant there was often limited food left for him.

There was also a rule in Auschwitz that 10 men would be killed if one attempted to escape from the concentration camp. A man from Kolbe’s bunker escaped in July 1941, so 10 men were selected to be starved to death.

As Franciszek Gajowniczek, one of the chosen prisoners, cried in anguish, Kolbe stepped forward to the commandant and said, “Let me take his place. I am old. He has a wife and children.” The commandant accepted his request, and the priest took Gajowniczek’s place.

After two weeks of hunger and thirst, Kolbe was the only person in the group who was fully conscious. He raised his left arm to Bock, an executioner, who injected the priest with a fatal dose of carbolic acid on August 14, 1941.

Maximilian gave his life so another could live!

John 15:13 “13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

II. The Resurrection: A New Beginning

On that first Easter morning, when Jesus rose from the dead, He defeated sin and death once and for all. The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate symbol of new life, hope, and redemption. Through His resurrection, Jesus offers us a new beginning – a chance to break free from the bondage of sin and death and live in the freedom of His grace.

The resurrection is a powerful reminder that God is in the business of making all things new. Jesus has conquered sin and death, and through Him, we can experience new life – life abundant and eternal.

III. Becoming a New Creature in Christ

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we are transformed from the inside out. We become a new creature in Him – the old life has passed away, and a new life begins. This transformation is not merely a superficial change; it is a complete renewal of our hearts and minds.

As we journey through life, we are continually being sanctified and made more like Christ. This process of sanctification is the work of the Holy Ghost within us. The more we submit to the leading of the Holy Ghost, the more we will grow in Christlikeness and experience the fullness of our new life in Him.

IV. Living as New Creatures

The new life we have in Christ is not meant to be hidden away or reserved for a future time. Instead, we are called to live as new creatures now, in our everyday lives. We must put to death the old habits and patterns of sin and embrace the righteousness and holiness that Christ has given us. As Ephesians 4:22-24 (KJV) tells us:

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

As new creatures in Christ, we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation, sharing the good news of the gospel with others. We are to be beacons of hope, love, and grace in a world that desperately needs to hear about the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior today, let us rejoice in the new life that