Untitled Sermon

Intro:

Pics of the flooring project

Great Time at “Triple C” Campground

Clarification, our Foster daughter is going transitioning to her adoptive family

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

We have been discussing God’s grace, or favour, through providing salvation through Jesus. God’s gracious or merciful behaviour (the more powerful person) towards sinners by providing the way for our sins to be forgiven.

The New Creation- what does that mean? This is what we will look at togday

Definition: GRACE (חֶסֶד, chesed; “grace, mercy, steadfast love, compassion”; חֵן, chen; “grace, graciousness, kindness”; χάρις, charis; “grace, favor, graciousness, goodwill”). Gracious or merciful behavior of a more powerful person toward another.

How do you define it? Ask the people…

“God giving us what we do not deserve”

“God’s undeserved favour”

Passage: 2 Cor. 5

Illustration: RC Car

Outline:

Comprehension: “According to the Flesh” (v. 16)

Creation: “All This is From God” (vs. 17-19)

Connection: “Ambassadors for Christ” (vs. 20-21)

Summary: Grace allows me to focus on Jesus

Prayer:

Comprehension: “ According to The Flesh” (v. 16)

A New Point in Time (v. 16)

From now on- there is a beginning point, a line in the sand, a fresh start

we regard no one- “oidamen” perf, act, ind, 1st, pl, to know cognitive, to be cognixant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information

according to the flesh (sinful humanity)- those in Corinth

A New Persective (v. 16)

Even though we once regarded- “egnwkamen” perf, act, ind, 1st, pl, to know experiencially

Christ according to the flesh

We regard Him- “ginwskomen” pres, act, ind, 1st, pl, to know experientially

thus no longer- the way they thought about Jesus changed. To go from “oh, he is a good teacher, prophet, historical figure, etc.” to “He is the Son of God that died for my sins, I want to believe what He says, repent when I don’t, and obey His authority in my life.

This is not Cognative Behavioural Therapy

This is not just new age thinking

This is not just a change in perspective

This is far more profound than a new found appreciation

No no, the way you think about JESUS changes! This only happens by God’s grace!

A New Purpose (v. 16)

2 Cor. 5:9-10 “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

2 Cor. 5:14-15 “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

When did you start thinking differently about Jesus?

In what ways have your thoughts about Jesus changed since to became a believer?

What is the aim of your life today? How does the fact that he died for you compel you to no longer live for yourself but for the one that died for you?

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Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

This is the where we get the phrase, “that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension,”

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Transitional phrase: Grace in the new creation starts with a new comprehension of who Jesus is.

Creation: “All this is From God” (vs. 17-19)

In Christ (v. 17)

Therefore- based on no longer regarding Jesus according to the flesh

If anyone is in Christ- this is huge! Being in Christ is where we start! Believeing what He says, repending of our sin when we don’t, and obeying his authority in our lives.

He is a new creation- “ktisis” an object of creation brough into existence by God.- well what does that mean, I am pretty sure I didn’t go from being a frog to a prince…the phrase “being born again” not physically but spiritually

The old has passed away- “par-eh-then”, aor, act, ind, 3rd, sg- to pass away, to pass out of use or go out of existence

Behold- pay atention, something new is about to be expressed

the new has come- “gegonen” perf, act ind, 3rd, sg, to become existent. to come into existence (after not existing). It is here to stay!

From God (v. 18)

All this is from (“ek”) God- No amount of years in a cave will produce this, no amount of pages read, seminars attended, courses completed! It is not a personality thing, a compatibility thing,

Who through Christ

reconciled us to himself- “katallaxantos” (6x) and three are right here! aor, act, part, gen, mas, sg to restore someone to favorable or friendly relations with another after a presumed wrong”the more powerful working for the lesser. God restores us to favourable or friendly relationship through christ after our wrongs

and gave us- “dontos” aor, act, part, gen, mas, sg, to grant a request

the ministry (“diakonian” service) of reconciliation (noun)

That is in Christ- “not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth”-

2 Pet. 1:3-4 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”

God was reconciling the world to himself- “katallasswn” pres, act, part, nom, mas, sg, to reconcile

not counting their trespasses against them- “logizomenos” pres, mid/pass, part, nom, mas, sg, to credit, to attribute or reckon as an asset in someone’s (financial) account.

Trespasses- the action of going beyond or overstepping some moral boundary or limit.

and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation- “themenos” aor, mid, part, nom, mas, sg to appoint duty. It is both, not counting the trespasses and entrusing the message/ministry of reconciliation.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

“All this is from God” is there anything in this world that I have not received from God?

In what ways does being “In Christ” and knowing that “all of this “ comes from the Father change the way I leave here today?

Here is the thing, sometimes I have an easier time living in the world that God’s grace has not counted my trespasses against me. This is good, but it is not the whole truth. You see God’s grace doesn’t just cover the guild of my sin, His grace also entrust and energizes me from shame me with a message of reconciliation. Grace covers the guilt of my past and gives me hope for a different future.

Who or what is the most important to be reconciled with in my life?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

What sin in my life do I still think God is counting against me?

What is holding me back from the ministry of reconciliation?

Talk it out, write it down, pray it up

Transitional phrase: In Christ, I am reconciled to God. Because of the grace of Jesus I can be brought back into favour with God. This is great news! So, what do I do with it?

Connection: “Ambassadors for Christ” (vs. 20-21)

Be Reconciled to God (v. 20)

Therefore

We are ambassadors for Christ- “presbeuomen” pres, act, ind 1st, pl, to act as ambassador, to act as an authorised representative of one sovereign ruler or country to another. This is who we are, not just what we do.

God making his appeal through us- “parakalountos” pres, act, part, gen, mas, sing, to entreat

We implore you- “deometha” pres, mid/pass, ind, 1st, pl to beg need

On behalf of Christ

be reconciled to God- “katallag-eh-te” aor, pass, imperative, 2nd pl, to be reconciled. Everything has already been done by Jesus, hence the “on behalf of Christ”! Receive what has been done in order to be restored to a favourable friendship with God!

Not yourself

Not your culture

Not your history

Not you past

Your Creator!!!

Righteouness in Him (v. 21)

For our sake

he made him to be sin- “epoi-eh-sen” aor, act, ind, 3rd, sg, To make (cause)

who knew no sin- “gnonta” aor, act, part, acc, mas, sg, to know experientially

so that in him

we might become the righteousness of God- “genwmetha” aor, mid, subj, 1st, pl- Subjunctive is the mood of possibility. Because Jesus did this, does not guarantee that all will receive it.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

What or who am I trying to be reconciled with?

What human relationship do you need God’s grace to restore to favour?

What sin do you need God’s grace through Jesus Christ to repent of because it is wrong

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Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

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DISCUSSION QUESTION SLIDE

Transitional phrase:

Summary- Grace Allows me to focus on Jesus

Song: Amazing Grace

Benediction/Looking ahead: INVITE PEOPLE TO THE CAFE

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

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Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

In what ways have you thoughts about Jesus changed since you became a believer?

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Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

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