Masterpiece: Seeing Ourselves Through the New Creation Lens

Introduction:

What is the primary lens through which you see yourself?

- Your failures?

- Your successes?

- Your weaknesses?

- Your strengths?

- Your fears?

- Your ambitions?

- Your sins?

- Your obedience?

Who do you think you are?

What does it mean to see yourself through the lens of NEW CREATION?

Last week, we talked about new creation and the resurrection of Jesus

[SLIDE - Graphic] “The resurrection is like the SPRING of NEW CREATION breaking into the DEAD of WINTER.”

It’s still winter in the world

death

disease

corruption

sin

The prophets, like Isaiah, promised God would

destroy death

make all things new

The resurrection of Jesus is the firstfruits of God keeping that promise

We also said that when we are baptized

we step into the new creation

we become part of the new creation

Here is how the apostle Paul put it…

Biblical Text:

Two ways of translating this passage:

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Which one is right?

The new creation has come?

We are a new creation?

Yes! Both!

This is how Paul wants Christians to see themselves…

Look at Ephesians Two…

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

We partnered with the demonic powers

We were the walking dead

Ephesians 2:4–7 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Are we…

made alive now?

waiting to be made alive in the resurrection?

Are we…

raised up with Christ?

seated with him in the heavenly throne room?

or waiting to share in his honor and glory at the resurrection?

YES! BOTH! ALL of IT!

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We are not saved BY good works, but we are saved FOR good works

We are his workmanship

handiwork - NIV

masterpiece - NLT

When we became Christians…

we were recreated into something brand new

made to do good works

good works that would bring glory to God

Chapters 1-3 are praying for them to see themselves through this lens. Chapters 4-6 are what it looks like to be new creation people.

Ephesians 4:22–24 ESV

22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Put off the OLD and put on the NEW

We have to choose

We have to be INTENTIONAL

About seeing ourselves as NEW CREATION and LIVING INTO that identity

Created after the likeness of God

God is making you like himself

He is making you like Jesus

He is working to develop his character traits in you

In practical terms…

What does new creation look like?

Isaiah 11:6 “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb…”

Humility, gentleness, patience, love, and unity (Eph. 4:1-16)

Speaking truth with our neighbors (4:25)

Laboring so we can share with those in need (4:28)

Kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness (4:32)

Sexual purity and purity of speech (5:1-5)

Wisdom and praise (5:15-21)

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (5:21-6:9)

Application:

There is a sense in which we won’t experience the “new creation” until Jesus comes and sets everything right

But there is another sense in which

we ARE the new creation

we are experiencing it right now, to the degree we are submitting to Christ and surrendering to the work of the Spirit

others should be able to see the new creation in us

Theme for the year is, Sanctified: Purified for a Purpose - For what purpose?

The church is meant to be God’s Spirit-filled masterpiece, a glimpse of new creation.

We aren’t just waiting around for something better

through the Spirit…

we are supposed to be the something better

“YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.”

As we….

follow Jesus…

do good works…

love one another…

love our neighbors

maintain the unity of the church…

live Spirit-filled lives…

We give people a glimpse of new creation!

The church should should look as out of place as a TREE in full bloom in the middle of WINTER.

Invitation:

Receive forgiveness and the gift of the Spirit, become part of God’s masterpiece.

Recommit yourself to putting on the new self.

Let us show you that we love you

by praying for you and encouraging you.

we can’t know how to help you unless you tell us.