Are All Things New
Are All Things New?
o One of most well-known books in Eng Lit is Daniel Dafoe’s Robinson Crusoe. Crusoe shipwrecked on island for 28 yr b4 rescued. One experience is rescuing native from cannibals. Man Crusoe calls “Friday” from then on follows Crusoe wherever – becomes voluntary slave. Apparently felt his life no longer belonged to self, but to Robinson Crusoe – who saved his life.
o Same should be true of us. We, as Xians, been saved from fate far worse than cannibals – death of any kind. We’ve been saved from our OWN sin – from spiritual death. Turn to 2 Cor 5. Our lives should no longer belong to us. We ought to be living lives that belong to and reflect Jesus Christ. Look at 2 Cor 5:15 (RD).
o When? When turn life over to Christ? At baptism! He saved us thru His blood and placed us in the Kingdom of God. So, like Friday, we belong to the One who saved us by death by giving His OWN life.
o That’s what I want us to look at this AM – that very idea – the fact that, upon our obedient immersion into Christ, God no longer sees our faults; He no longer holds our sins & failure against us. Gal 3:27 tells us we’re clothed in Christ.
o Paul says it like this in vs 17 of 2 Cor 5 (RD). Isn’t that amazing!? We are NEW people because Christ gives us a NEW LIFE! Thru our baptism we are made a totally new creation!
o But, what does that imply? It means that in this new life, all things really must be new! It means some changes in life and some new responsibilities.
o T – So let’s discuss that this AM. But 1st, let’s be clear about this new life…
I. Christ Can Give Anyone a New Life
A. Let’s read vs 16-17 together again (RD). 1st off – notice that word “anyone.” Any of you, anyone you know can have fresh start in Christ Jesus. What Christ offers! He can make you new – no matter what you’ve done in past.
1. Old sin/old mistakes do not matter! Anyone who wants it can become a NEW creation.
2. But, there’s the rub – you have to want it! We have to acknowledge our need – must admit to self that Jesus is only one who can repair our lives – not us!
B. House we worked on in Guatemala - didn't tidy up the mess that was there. We took it apart, got rid of it, and made the lady a brand new one! Not to repair…to make new! Just what Jesus does – not rearrange! Makes NEW!
C. Christ can change your life if you WANT Him to. That’s what Paul’s saying in vs 17 – obedience, find self IN Christ, whatever you once were – now in a R w/ Christ – you’re Savior, Redeemer, and Brother!
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II. You are a New Distinct Creation
A. Total change! He destroys old way of life. So, not ready to give up old, may not be ready. Not alarming or overly dramatic, just being honest! See, this is the essence of Xianity. That’s what Jesus means in Mt 16:24ff – turn there. This is tough psg! But it’s exactly what it means to be NEW CREATION! (RD)
B. Real repentance is U-turn – total turn-around. Requires you to step off throne and give seat to Jesus. What mean? New way of life! Have we missed that? Has this “everybody-who-believes-in-anything-is-a-Xian” culture we live in blinded us of that? I think it has in many ways.
1. Being a new creation means we are different! We LIVE differently – our movies are different, clothes are different, attitudes different. And let’s get real specific, shall we? Means our approach to R w/ God different – worship different. Not just no instrument, I mean our HEARTS s/b different because we’re NEW.
2. What I mean is this: because we’re given an opportunity to do so, we should be in Bible class. Some young people don’t go just cuz they don’t want to. Some adults don’t just cuz it’s not convenient. Are you serious!? Is THAT the attitude of new creation?
3. What I mean is that we should approach God in our assembled worship with honor and reverence! We have adults who don’t listen – balance checkbooks! Teens, right now who do not and ARE not listening – talk, laugh, text message; teens and adults alike who don’t sing, don’t even get book, don’t open Bibles – don’t BRING Bibles! Are you serious!? Is THAT the attitude – the heart - of new creation?
C. See, once given life to Christ, not reformed; not reeducated! Not re-shaped – you are a brand new person! It is life under new master! Do you believe that? (Yes/no?) I hope so. I hope and pray that we believe that. But – more – I hope and pray that we LIVE it!
1. Only way we can is IN Christ – He alone can make us new. But then, we have to live that NEW life…in every respect.
2. Augustine of Hippo, wild b4 conversion, then unfortunately absorbed into unscriptural practices. But, knew what new creation meant. After changed life, ran into woman used have occasional relationship with. She called, “Augustine, it is I.” He ignored. Again and again she called. Finally he stopped and said, “Yes, but it is no longer I.”
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III. New Creation with a New Purpose
A. Realizing new purpose causes us to see others in different way. Look back at vs 16 in 2 Cor 5 (RD). So, how do we see people? Do we see w/ tired, worldly eyes? Young/old? Rich/poor? Black/white? Here’s the new view of new creation: in Christ’s eyes are no 2nd rate! If ANYONE can become a New Creation, there is hope for everyone. You and I have to learn to see lost people through the eyes of this kind of hope.
B. Now realizing that - we see ourselves as ambassadors of the best news – Look at 2 Cor 5:18-21. (RD). Do you see the power in this passage? He no longer is counting our sin against us (19). Why? Why is judge of universe no longer going to hold us responsible for our sin?
1. Vs 21 gives us the answer. A legal exchange taken place. Best deal ever offered! He takes MY sin - makes me right with God. Our sin was laid on Christ at crux (21). God offers to trade his righteousness for our sin—something of immeasurable worth for something completely worthless.
2. And reason God did this was cuz He loves us! And this is only way for us to have eternal relationship with him. This isn’t just good news, this is the best news ever.
3. So – this also tells us WHY we see people differently. In fact, look back at vs 14-15 (RD). This incredible love DRIVES us, motivates us, CONTROLS us. When we grasp the incredible love that has been extended to us, then we can’t HELP but see others outside of that relationship as those who need to know Him!
C. Only when you are convinced that it is the BEST news will you become an ambassador of this reconciliation. Now – I realize Paul talking about himself and apostles here. But, you can’t tell me the principle isn’t there for ALL of us. If it is the best news, it isn’t just good news for you.
1. You must be convinced it is best news for everyone. I’m convinced of this. See, an ambassador is official rep of one country to another. God making His appeal through us. We, as Christians should be BEGGING the world on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
2. We have a new Purpose (vv. 20, 21). We have a new perspective on our lives FOR God. We are reconciled to become reconcilers. We have been made ambassadors. We cannot rest until all who need the message have heard it.
3. “What can I do?” You may ask that question. Has a lot to do with your perspective. Man saw men working on building. 1st – “chipping stone.” 2nd – “building a wall.” 3rd – “making a beautiful house of worship to the Lord.”
4. Because we are IN CHRIST, we have new perspective of life. If your life has become dull and boring, if things seem hopeless or meaningless, maybe need to reconsider your purpose! Then go to the God who makes all things new. Let Him change your life.
o Why do we do this? ANY of it – the new life, the new creation? Why be different at all? Goes back to vs 11 (RD). Because we know there is a judgment – cuz we know that we will each answer – we live for HIM.
o NOW – is that all? Is it just out of FEAR? (If fear’s all you have, run with it!) But, we just read vs 14 – the love of Christ compels us. And it has to be done – all of it. The new person, the new attitude, the new purpose, the new perspective – it all matters. It is the DUTY of those IN CHRIST.
o Anyone can do it, just obey – just surrender self to Christ’s reign. And HE can and WILL make you new. You just have to get out of the way. Remember that your job is no longer running your life, it’s serving God – and you’re brand new. And in Christ, you have a new purpose – to share what you’ve come to know about Christ.