Old Jersey to New Jersey

Intro

Welcome to NC Jersey Sunday!

I’ve got two jerseys with me today, one on my right, and one on my left.

And the title of my message is: “Old Jersey to New Jersey.”

Now, Here’s a question: Which jersey do you think is the New Jersey?

The answer is… both of them are new! I know, I tricked you! But in a few minutes, I’m going to ask again. Let’s see if you give me the same answer then.

Main Message

Now I know you can’t touch it right now, but if I let you close your eyes and feel both jerseys, I’m pretty sure you’d pick this one. The difference in quality is just that obvious. Its just feels so much nicer.

And even from seeing with your eyes, this Jersey looks fancier, doesn’t it?

Good brand, Good color, Popular player’s name

From the worldly point of view, it’s just much better than this one. It just makes me want this to be my NEW JERSEY.

But Look! in v16 he says so from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.

the world point of view cares A LOT about how it looks on the out side,

it cares A LOT about your achievements too

It like to ignore God’s perspective and values. (Flip the jersey inside out) “Because when you look closely on the inside… these are some of the things that the worldly point of view really cares about.”

world care about status: how high you rank, how important you look.

world care about money: how much you have, what you can buy.

world care about beauty: how you look on the outside.

world care about education: what grades you get, what school you go to.

world even care about religion: like just checking the box of going to church, instead of really knowing God.

But here’s the truth: all those things are just human standards. And without God, human standards are empty. They are all perishable, meaning they do not last forever.

Listen to what Paul says in today’s Scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:16 NIV

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

He says we even judged Jesus from a worldly point of view.

But from now on, we don’t look at anyone, including our savior Jesus Christ, the way the world does. Amen

The Jersey Switch

So let’s pause here and let me ask again.

Then, Which jersey is the New Jersey?

This fancy one? or this one?

Yes, this one.

It obviously doesn’t look cool on the outside. It doesn’t have a brand.

팔도 없어 sleeveless It doesn’t even say a player’s name, just “PSALM.” with a random. number

By the show of your hands did anyone here wonder “Who is Psalm? which team does he play for?”) I hope you guys were not really asking those questions to yourselves.

Because obviously, it’s not a player. It’s the Book of Psalms in the Bible!

See, this jersey might not look too great in terms of its appearance

but fInterestingly, this New Jersey is not something that you can buy with money.

This Jersey is only given to you from God as a gift. Because He loves you.

As it says in verse 18.

2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

And the moment you put it on, two amazing things happen

You get close to God again. Your friendship with Him is fixed. (v18)

You become God’s ambassador. (v20) That’s a big word, but it means this: You represent Jesus. You live and speak so others can know Him too.

Conclusion

So let me wrap it up

The fancy jersey represents the old way—living by the worldly point of view

The plain jersey represents the new way—living as a new creation in Christ.

God doesn’t care about brand names, popularity, or how fancy you look. He cares that you wear His jersey—that you live for Him.

And as a symbolic gesture I’m gonna actually wear this Jersey right now.

Call to Action

Same goes for you, DreamSeed, DreamLand, PowerWave and everyone in this room

You are wearing this Jersey with me today. As the Scripture tells, The old has gone and the new is here! (kick the old uniform away)

This week, when you’re at school or with friends, remember which jersey you’re wearing.

It’s the New Jersey.

So you can’t be judging and acting from a worldly point of view.

Instead you gotta work on representing Jesus.

If someone is left out, include them.

If someone is mean, forgive them.

If you get a chance, talk about Jesus.

Do it because of Jesus, because you love Jesus, because you represent Jesus, all for the glory of God.

That’s what it looks like to wear the New Jersey. God’s Jersey.