NEW CREATION
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· 3 viewsNEW YEARS DAY - NEW CREATURE OR CREATION IN CHRIST -
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NEW CREATION
NEW CREATION
G.I.J.N. - HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL WHO ARE PRESENT.
AS I THOUGHT ABOUT THE CLOSE OF 2023 THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IS “THANK YOU”
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BLESSED MY FAMILY AND I WITH YOUR PRAYERS - WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT WITH ALL THE CARDS AND NOTES AND GIFTS OF ALL TYPES TO OUR FAMILY. WE ARE TRULY BLESSED BY ALL THE THOUGHTS AND GENEROSITY SHOWN TO US IN THE PAST. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR US. THE LOVE AND SUPPORT WE HAVE FELT I TRUST IS AN EXPRESSION OF YOUR LOVE OF GOD AND HIS PRESENCE IN YOUR HEARTS BEING RADIATED OUT TO THOSE AROUND YOU MAKING YOU A T BLESSING TO OTHERS.
ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE MINISTRY TEAM OF SERVANT LEADERS THAT WE HAVE HERE AT NEW HAVEN THAT STRIVES FOR PEACE AND UNITY TO WORK TOGETHER TO PROMOTE CHRISTIAN LIVING IN TODAY'S WORLD.
THINKING OF TODAY'S WORLD AND THE FACT THAT IT IS ALWAYS CHANGING - ALWAYS A NEW SITUATION TO REASON WITH AND ANALYZE TO SEE WHAT IMPACT OR ADJUSTMENT SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE MADE -
THE QUOTE:
‘ THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME’
COMES TO MIND - OFTEN SAID IN A SARCASTIC OR CYNICAL WAY TO EMPHASIZE FOR EXAMPLE - THAT YES - TOMORROW IS A NEW YEAR BUT THE SAME THING HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY 365 DAYS FOR AS LONG AS EACH ONE OF US CAN REMEMBER SO WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? ON THE OTHER HAND WE CAN BE EXCITED FOR A NEW YEAR AND WHAT IT MAY BRING INTO OUR LIVES - THE ANTICIPATION AND MYSTERY OF THE UNKNOWN CAN BE INTRIGUING. SO IT IS OUR CHOICE TO BE NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE ABOUT A NEW YEAR.
WE ALL KNOW THAT A NEW CALENDAR YEAR DOES NOT CHANGE ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE DATE AND THAT STUDIES HAVE PROVEN THAT NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS DO NOT LAST VERY LONG - I AM NOT HERE TO BE NEGATIVE ABOUT NEW YEAR 2024 BUT RATHER WANT TO LOOK AT THIS FROM A CHRISTIAN ANGLE USING THE NEW YEARS EVE DAY AS A SPRINGBOARD TO LOOK AT WHAT WE OURSELVES SHOULD BE AS NEW CREATURES ACCORDING TO GODS PLAN OF SALVATION.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 SAYS
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
THIS VERSE IS WHAT INSPIRED ME FOR THIS MESSAGE AND TO LOOK AT WHAT DOES BEING A NEW CREATURE MEAN TO ME.
MAY THE NEW YEAR BE A REMINDER TO HELP ME TO REFLECT THIS NEW CREATURE THAT I AM CALLED TO BE IN CHRIST. OFTEN IN THE NIV TRANSLATION THE WORD CREATION IS USED - SO I MAY INTERCHANGE CREATURE WITH CREATION WHEN REFERRING TO HOW WE ARE BECOME A NEW PERSON IN CHRIST.
AS THIS VERSE SAYS - ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW!
SO ASK YOURSELVES THESE QUESTIONS TO SEE WHAT A NEW CREATION MEANS TO YOU.
WHEN DID I OR WHEN WILL I BECOME A NEW CREATION
HOW DOES THIS NEW CREATION HAPPEN
WHO OR WHAT CAUSES ME TO BE CHANGED
WHAT IMPACT DOES THIS NEW CREATION HAVE ON ME /
WHAT IMPACT DOES THIS HAVE ON OTHERS.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT THIS NEW CREATION IS THEN I WOULD LIKE TO USE THE EXAMPLE OF PETER THE DISCIPLE OF JESUS TO HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW WE EXPERIENCE THIS NEW CREATION AND WHEN IT HAPPENS AND WHAT IMPACT IT SHOULD HAVE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF EXAMPLES IN THE BIBLE WE COULD LOOK AT WHO WERE CHANGED PEOPLE WHEN THEY OBEYED GOD - THINK OF NOAH, JOSEPH, DANIEL, AND PAUL TO NAME A FEW - BUT I WOULD LIKE TO USE SIMON PETER THIS MORNING TO CONTRAST THE OLD VERSUS NEW CREATION.
PETER IS SOMEONE WHO IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF CHANGE - EVEN HIS NAME WAS CHANGED UPON HIS CONFESSION THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD . IN Matthew 16:17+18 Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
SO FOR AN ILLUSTRATION I HAVE A PAPER BAG WHICH I HAVE LABELED PETER - DISCIPLE OF JESUS. WHILE THIS BAG IS VERY PRACTICAL AND USEFUL AND SOMETHING WE RECOGNIZE AS A COMMON ITEM IN TODAY'S WORLD. SIMILAR TO PETER THE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST - A GOOD PERSON FOLLOWING AFTER JESUS WHEN HE WAS CALLED. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT PETER HAS A FEW ROUGH EDGES. SIMILAR TO POSSIBLY HOW 2023 WAS FOR SOME OF US - SOME FAILURES - DISAPPOINTMENTS AND HURTS - SOME SICKNESS, SOME DEATH, BUT ALSO SOME MARRIAGES AND ENGAGEMENTS AND SOME BIRTHS SO WE WOULD HOPEFULLY NOT SAY 2023 WAS COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT OR FAILURE.
I WANT TO LOOK AT FEW SHORTCOMINGS OF PETER - NOT TO PORTRAY HIM AS A FAILURE BUT TO HELP US TO COMPARE AN OLD VERSION OF PETER FOR REFERENCE SAKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH BETTER THIS NEW CREATION OF PETER IS AND HOW WE MAY MAKE APPLICATION IN OUR LIVES.
I WANT US TO ALSO SEE HOW JESUS NEVER REJECTS PETER- BUT RATHER INSTRUCTS, OR CORRECTS PETER TO DRAW HIM TO A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.
ALSO THAT PETERS FAILURES REVEALS THE CHARACTER OF JESUS CHRIST AND THROUGH JESUS WE CAN SEE THE CHARACTER OF GOD AND KNOW HOW HE IS WILLING TO RELATE TO US IN TIMES OF WEAKNESS, SIN AND FAILURE. JESUS IS ALWAYS PATIENT AND LOVING WHEN HE RESPONDS TO HIS DISCIPLES.
PETER AND THE DISCIPLES ARE CONFUSED AND LACK UNDERSTANDING BY THE PARABLE OF THE SOILS IN MATTHEW 13:10
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
BUT JESUS TAKES TIME TO EXPLAIN AND GIVE DEFINITION SO THEY COULD COMPREHEND WHAT IS MEANT.
2.PETER AND THE DISCIPLES MIS-INTERPRET JESUS WORDS MATTHEW 16: 6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith… AND THEN JESUS REPEATED AND EXPLAINED THEIR ERROR TILL THEY UNDERSTOOD THE LEAVEN WAS SYMBOLIC OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE PHARISEES.
3. PETER AND THE DISCIPLES TRY TO KEEP THE YOUNG CHILDREN AWAY FROM BOTHERING JESUS - LIKELY THINKING THEY WERE DOING WHAT JESUS WANTED BUT IN MARK 10 : 14 SAYS JESUS WAS MUCH DISPLEASED AND VERSE 16 SAYS And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
4.PETER LACKING FAITH FAILS TO CONTINUE WALKING ON THE WATER WHEN HE SAW THE WIND BOISTEROUS. MATTHEW 14:31
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
5.PETER KEEPING QUIET WHEN HE AND THE DISCIPLES ARE FILLED WITH SELFISH AMBITION ARGUES WITH THE OTHER DISCIPLES ABOUT “WHICH ONE OF US IS THE GREATEST. WHEN JESUS ASKED IN MARK 9:34 - 37 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. THEN JESUS TOOK A CHILD AND INSTRUCTS THEM. AGAIN IN MARK 10:28-41 WE HAVE AN ACCOUNT OF PETER SPEAKING UP FOR THE DISCIPLES SAYING HOW THEY LEFT ALL TO FOLLOW CHRIST AND JESUS TELLS THEM WHAT THINGS ARE TO TO HAPPEN TO HIM AND THEY FOLLOW AND WERE AFRAID - IN VERSE 35 IT SAYS JAMES AND JOHN COME UP TO JESUS TO REQUEST TO SIT ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT. VERSE 41 SAYS WHEN THE OTHER TEN HEARD IT THEY WERE DISPLEASED WITH JAMES AND JOHN ACTING AS IF THEY DID NOT DESIRE TO BE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM . AGAIN IN LUKE 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
6. PETER SPEAKING UP IN A HOLY MOMENT ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION WHEN MOSES AND ELIJAH APPEARED - NO ONE WAS SPEAKING TO PETER BUT INTERRUPTS WITH WHAT HE IS THINKING. MATTHEW 17:4+5 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. IN MARK 9:4-7 WE GET A FEW MORE DETAILS. 4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. 7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. PETER TO HIDE HIS FEAR INSTEAD OF BEING QUIET AND OBSERVING THE MOMENT AND WATCHING AND LEARNING MAKES HIS OWN COMMENTARY ON THE SCENE - EVEN IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD - AND ONLY INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN - LISTEN THE WHAT JESUS SAYS.
7. PETER SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF JESUS WITHOUT CONSULTING HIM IN REGARDS TO PAYING THE TAX IN MATTHEW 17:27 JESUS INSTRUCTS PETER TO GO CATCH A FISH IN ORDER TO PAY THE TAX SO NO ONE IS OFFENDED.
8. PETER RESIST THE THE SINGLE GREATEST REASON JESUS BECAME A HUMAN - TO ATONE FOR THE SIN OF THE HUMAN RACE. JESUS HAS TO SERVERY REBUKE PETER FOR NOT UNDERSTANDING THE PLAN OF SALVATION. MATTHEW 16:22-23
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
9. PETER AGAIN RESIST JESUS IN JOHN 13:8 WHEN JESUS SAYS HE IS GOING TO WASH PETERS FEET - NOT UNDERSTANDING THE SYMBOLISM OF SERVANT HOOD AND HUMILITY JESUS IS TRYING TO TEACH THEM.
10. PETER FAILS TO STAY AWAKE AND WATCH AND PRAY AT THE REQUEST OF JESUS IN MATTHEW 26:41 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
11. PETER IS FUELED WITH PASSION FOR JESUS AND DRAWS A SWORD TO FIGHT OFF THE BAND OF MEN AND OFFICERS WHO CAME TO ARREST JESUS IN JOHN 18:10
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
12. PETER DENIES JESUS WITH OATHS AND CURSES IN Matthew 26:74“Then began he to curse and swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.”
13. PETER IS OVERWHELMED BY ALL THAT IS GOING ON AND QUITS THE APOSTOLIC TEAM AND GOES BACK TO DOING WHAT HE KNOWS WHICH IS FISHING - IN JOHN 21:3
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
I DID NOT RUN THROUGH THIS LIST OF PETERS FAILURES TO SHOW THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF PETER - BUT TO REMIND US THAT IF WE ARE HONEST WE WHO ARE BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS ARE STILL STRUGGLING WITH THESE SAME WEAKNESS’S OR TEMPTATIONS PETER DID - WE COULD LIKELY PUT OUR NAME IN PETERS PLACE AND THINK OF SITUATIONS IN OUR PAST WHERE WE FAILED JUST AS PETER HAD -
MOST OF US WOULD ADMIT WE LIKE IT WHEN THERE IS AN OUTSPOKEN PERSON IN OUR GROUP TO BE THE FIRST TO GET THE OPINIONS FLOWING -SO WE DON'T ARE NOT THE FIRST TO EXPOSE OUR THOUGHTS OR VIEWPOINT. BUT HOW OFTEN WHEN THERE IS SUPPORT NEEDED WE ARE QUIET OR WHEN WE ARE CHALLENGED BY WHAT WE SAID WE DENY IT LIKE PETER.
DO WE REACT THE SAME AS PETER READY TO DEFEND WHAT WE THINK IS NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS LIKE PETER.
OR WHEN DOING RIGHT IS OVERWHELMING OR A STRUGGLE SO WE DROWN IT OUT WITH THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD
PETERS ACTIONS SHOWED HIS UNDERLYING INSECURITY IN SPITE OF HIS OUTWARD CONFIDENCE AND OUTSPOKENNESS, WE SEE THAT WHEN HE WAS TESTED HE FAILED TO STAND ON WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO AND FAILED THE TEST.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS - THIS IS ALL BEFORE PETER IS CHANGED TO HIS NEW CREATION. THIS MIRACLE OF TRANSFORMATION I WOULD LIKE TO ILLUSTRATE WITH THIS BAG - I TOOK A NUMBER OF THE SAME BAGS AND WITH A FEW CHANGES WE HAVE SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW AND ALMOST COMPLETELY UNRECOGNIZABLE FROM BEFORE.
SAME AS PETER AND THE REST OF THE DISCIPLES AT THE DAY OF PENTECOST WHEN THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WERE SO CHANGED THAT MANY MARVELED. ACTS 2:4 +7
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
1.THIS NEW PETER -
PETER WHO STANDS UP IN ACTS 2:14 AND GIVES A SPEECH WITH CONFIDENCE.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
2.THIS NEW PETER - UNLIKE THE OLD UNSTABLE, IMPULSIVE AND INSECURE PETER WHO WAS NOTHING LIKE A ROCK BEFORE - IS NOW SHOWING AN ADDED DIMENSION OF SOBRIETY, MATURITY, WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURE, CLEARLY INSPIRED BY GOD HOLY SPIRIT WE SEE A MIGHTY PREACHER GIVING A FOCUSED AND POWERFUL MASTERPIECE OF A SERMON FOUND IN ACTS 2.
ENDING WITH VERSE 36 WHERE WE SEE PETER BOLDLY PROCLAIMING THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST ACTS 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
3.THIS NEW PETER - A MAN OF PRAYER - AFTER RETURNING TO JERUSALEM ACTS 1:14 TELLS US THEY ALL WENT UP TO AN UPPER ROOM
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
AGAIN IN
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
THIS DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS PLEADED WITH TO WATCH AND PRAY IS NOW DOING SO.
AFTER BEING THREATENED AND RELEASED FROM THE RULERS THEY PRAYED
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
FOR CHURCH WORK OF SETTING UP THOSE TO HELP - PRAYER WAS USED ACTS 6:4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
ALSO AGAIN IN VERSE 6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
4.NEW PETER - HUMBLE SERVANT - NO LONGER SELF CENTERED OR VAIN AFTER HEALING THE LAME MAN GAVE ALL THE RECOGNITION TO JESUS. ACTS 3:12
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
5. NEW PETER - NONRESISTANT - PETER WHO DREW HIS SWORD TO DEFEND JESUS IN HIS FIRST EPISTLE GIVES INSTRUCTION ON SUFFERING 1 PETER 2:20-23
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
6. NEW PETER - FILLED WITH DISCERNMENT - THE ONE WHO DID NOT UNDERSTAND PARABLES OR WHAT JESUS WAS TRYING TO TEACH CAN NOW KNOW THE HEARTS OF MEN - THE FAMILIAR STORY OF ANANIAS AND HIS WIFE ACTING A LIE TO GAIN RECOGNITION AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE BELIEVERS - BUT PETER WAS ABLE TO SEE RIGHT TO THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - ACTS 5:3-4
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
7. NEW PETER - HEALER OF MEN - THE ONE WHO CUT OFF A MANS EAR IS NOW A GREAT HEALER. ACTS 5:15-16
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
8. NEW PETER - LOVE AS BRETHREN - GONE IS THE DEBATE OF WHO IS THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM AND ALL THE FAILURES PETER AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS STRUGGLES WITH BUT RATHER IN 1 PETER3:8-12 WE HAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS .
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
COMPARING THE OLD AND THE NEW - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME AS A CHRISTIAN WHO IS A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST. HOW DOES OR SHOULD THE HOLY SPIRIT BE AFFECTING ME?
I HAVE 7 THINGS A NEW CREATION MEANS
1. NEW BEGINNINGS - ROMANS 3:23-24
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
JUSTIFIED - SINS VINDICATED OR ACQUITTED - FRESH START - CLEAN SLATE - JUST AS IF YOU HAVE NEVER SINNED.
2. NEW RELATIONSHIP EPHESIANS 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
ONCE FAR FROM GOD - NOW IN CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST WE HAVE ACCESS TO GODS PRESENCE.
3. NEW IDENTITY 1 PETER 2:9-10
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
GOD CLAIMS US AS HIS PEOPLE.
4. NEW DESTINY PHILIPPIANS 3:18-20
Philippians 3:18–20 (KJV 1900)
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
NO LONGER AN ENEMY BUT IN CHRIST WE BECOME A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN. THE GREEK WORD FOR CONVERSATION MEANS a community OR citizenship.
5. NEW POSITION EPHESIANS 2:6
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
BEAUTY OF BEING A NEW CREATION IS BEING FOUND IN CHRIST AND SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES.
6. NEW POWER ACTS 8:1
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
JESUS WORDS JUST BEFORE HE WAS TAKEN UP - HOLY SPIRIT GIVING US ACCESS TO NEW POWER TO HELP US LIVE AND BE THE PERSON GOD DESIRES US TO BE.
7. NEW PURPOSE EPHESIANS 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
GOD CREATED US AND WHEN WE ARE IN CHRIST JESUS THEN WE CAN DO THE GREAT WORK THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR US TO DO.
JUST LIKE PETER GOD WANTS TO MAKE EACH ONE OF US INTO SOMETHING NEVER EXISTED BEFORE. HE IS NOT LOOKING FOR AN UPGRADE BUT WANTS TO MAKE US A BRAND NEW MODEL THE WORLD HAS NOT SEEN BEFORE. THIS BRAND NEW EDITION IS WHAT WILL BRING ALL THE HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD.
IN CLOSING -
OLD YEAR VERSUS NEW YEAR
NOT SAYING 2023 WAS BAD YEAR BUT MY FOCUS IS TO INSPIRE US TO CATCH THE VISION TO MAKE 2024 A TRANSFORMED YEAR.
TO SHOW THE WORLD AROUND US THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE WORLD NEEDS A REVIVAL - MAY WE BE DOING THE WORK THE LORD HAS FOR US AS PETER DID AFTER PENTECOST.
GODS LOVE FOR US IS WHY HE SENT HIS SON TO REDEEM US AND THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GIVE US THE POWER TO BE OBEDIENT TO DO HIS WORK FOR HIS HONOR AND GLORY.
JUST LIKE THE OLD PETER VERSUS THE NEW PETER WHO WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON WHEN TOUCHED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT - SO WE SHOULD BE A NEW CREATION BY THE POWER OF THE MIRACLE OF TRANSFORMATION JESUS CHRIST HAS MADE AVAILABLE. CLOSE WITH THE VERSE I OPENED WITH.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
King James Version Chapter 5
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.