Living in Christ

English Standard Version Chapter 5

15 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.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever gone/been somewhere and it changed your perception of that place?

have you ever met someone who changed your perceptions?

maybe you got a position that changed your perception

when i became a camp counselor, it changed my perception that being a counselor was awesome!

When we live in Christ, it changes our perception of others, of God, and of ourselves

Changes your perception of others (v. 15-16a)

A NEW CREATURE 2 Corinthians 5:17, 18

Christ died for all people who ever lived

He died, so that they wouldn’t live for themselves, but live for Him

If we realized this, how would this change how we see people?

We’d want to live more to help others

We’d pray for others

We’d live the ‘one-anothers”

Be at peace with one another ()

Don’t grumble among one another ()

Be of the same mind with one another (, )

Accept one another ()

Don’t bite, devour, and consume one another—seriously, guys, don’t eat each other ()

Don’t boastfully challenge or envy one another ().

Gently, patiently tolerate one another ()

Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to one another ()

Bear with and forgive one another ()

Seek good for one another, and don’t repay evil for evil ()

Don’t complain against one another (, )

Illustration of Tim constantly picking on me. Forgiveness

We’d be willing to put up with nonsense from others

We would do whatever it takes to keep a relationship with others

Illustration of Tim constanlty picking on me. Forgiveness

Changes your perception of Christ

When we are Living in Christ it changes our perception of Him

SO many times, people in the world view God as a crutch for the weak

They view Him as a helper for the helpless

In a way they are right, but God is also:

a leader

a protector

A confidant

A fellow sympathizer

and an infinite amount of more things

When you live in Christ you see how incredible He is

He satisfies (everything you will ever need)

He keeps us (nothing we can do can separate us)

He provides (always giving to us)

He strengthens (knocks down walls for us)

He gifts us (You can do incredible things through God’s power)

Changes your Perception of yourself (v. 17)

It is important to understand what we are as Christians. A. Not merely what we ought to be. B. Nor,whatwewillbe. C. ButwhatweareasChristians.

OF yourself

Old things have passed away. behold all things are become new

What are the old things in your life?

Our text declares what every Christian is - “a new creature.”

What does it mean the new things have come

Different desires

Maybe, if we understand this, we will start acting like what God expects us to act like

- “new creatures.” A. ToomanyprofessedChristiansarestillactingliketheydidbeforetheybecame

Different intentions

Christians.

Different attitudes

1. And all they have to look forward to is a surprise on the judgment day - Mt.

Different wants

Different needs

7:21-23. 4. Let us note some things pertaining to what being a new creation implies.

Changed perception of yourself also means different responsibilities

BODY: 1. A NEW CREATION HAS A NEW RELATION TO GOD

A. First, it is new due to a changed relation to the law of God – John 3:18.

We are ambassadors for Christ

We are reconciled to God

Previous to the time that one becomes a Christian, the non-Christian fails in

we become the righteousness for God

Conclusion

compliance to the law of God in many areas. A. The theory, advocated by some, that man is not amenable to the law of

God, in any area, before they obey the gospel is ridiculous.

Are you living in Christ

Are you allowing him to change your perceptions on others, Himself, and you?

Sin is the transgression of the law of God - 1 John 3:4.

A. The one who is in Christ is pardoned of these past sins and, therefore, does not face condemnation due to the laws previously broken - Rom. 8:1.

B. Second,GodbecomestheirFatherwithalltherightstotellHischildrenwhatto do and what not to do - 1 John 3:1, 2; Mt. 7:21. 1. He further has the right to chasten those children - Heb. 12:7.

A NEW CREATION HAS A NEW RELATION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD

A. AlthoughspecificallyspeakingoftheGentiles,Eph.2:12relatesanimportant message about our new relation to the government of God.

Actually, we see that the Bible shows that the new creation becomes fellow

citizens with the saints, and heirs in relation to the promises of God - Eph.

2:19; Rom. 8:17.

When a foreigner becomes naturalized, he becomes a new man in relation to

our government. A. The same principle applies to the new man in Christ in regard to the

spiritual kingdom of God.

A NEW CREATION HAS A NEW RELATION TO HIS FELLOW MAN

A. The one who becomes a new creation comes into a new relation both to the church and to the world. 1. To the church he now becomes a part of it - Acts 2:47. 2. To the world he now seeks to no longer love it - 1 John 2:15-17.

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B. Whenthisonebecomesanewcreationtheoldstandingisentirelychanged-“old things are passed away.” 1. A new man in responsibility, as he now serves the Lord - Mt. 6:24. 2. New opportunities - Gal. 6:10.

4. A NEW CREATION HAS A NEW SET OF EXPERIENCES

A. No implication that he will always dwell upon the mountain top. 1. Neither is it suggesting that we will no longer have struggles and

disappointments. B. Onlythatanewfactorhascomeintohislifethattouchesandmodifiesevery

experience - Rom. 8:28.

There comes an abiding consciousness of security not previously had - Mt.

28:20.

New blessings come - Eph. 1:3.

Courage is found in knowing that they are on the right side, even in a world

full of sin - Phil. 1:20.

Hope becomes a precious element in this new experience - Tit. 1:2.

5. A NEW CREATURE IS A NEW CREATURE AT THE CENTER OF HIS BEING

A. In speaking of becoming a new creation we must understand that we are speaking of that which comes from within - Eze. 36:26. 1. This new creation has been born anew - John 3:3.

B. Itisnotjustachangingoftheoldintothenew. 1. It is a making new of that which was old - Rom. 6:4. 2. The old man has been put to death - Rom. 6:6. 3. We have been made free from sin - Rom. 6:18. 4. We have begun an over again.

CONCLUSION:

1. Are you a new creation? A. I didn't ask you have been baptized.

1. I asked, are you a new creation?