Embracing Our New Life in Christ

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.

2 Corinthians

DT: When we make Christ our savior Christ changes our lives and our heart.

Aim: We will live so that the change that Christ makes in our lives will manifest among others and bring God Glory.

Introduction: When Paul writes this epistle to the church Paul does so in defense of both his ministry and apostleship. There were some who spoke against Paul and claimed he is no true apostle because of his sufferings and because he has not recieved any commendations from other churches. Paul addresses this by encouraging the church to look at his ministry not from the perspective of his frailty and weaknesses but from the view that Paul is empowered by Christ.

Transition: For you and I today, this text offers tremendous encouragement. Paul’s words demonstrate before us what it means to “Embrace Our New Life in Christ”.

Embrace the Power of Christ to Change Us

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

Paul advises that we are made new by the power of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 ESV

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 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.

2 Cor 5:14-

Paul states that he is no longer his old self because of his relationship we the Jesus.

What he used to be is no longer who he is. Why is this important? Because Paul’s critics were doubting his ministry and apostleship based upon his past and his present sufferings.

plainly Paul says it is the Jesus in me

Im not what I used to be

My past does not define me

My circumstances do not define me

ILLUS: little boy was playing with a bouncy bag and attempting to make it stay down . . .

Application: Embrace the power that Jesus is manifesting in your life. Do not be discouraged by the negative people in your life. Trust the power of Christ to change you.

Embrace the New Direction

“The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

Paul reminds the church that Christ placed him on a new course and direction

what he used to do he doesn’t do

He accepts what comes with the journey. But most importantly he knows the Lord is leading him.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 ESV

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.

Application: Relinquish the old stuff in your life. Live so that others know you are an ambassador