A NEW CREATION
Assoc. Pastor John Chapman
INTRODUCTION
We place so much emphasis these days on our bodies, our flesh.
Galatians 5:16-17 says,
2 Corinthians 5:14-18
14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
14For the love of Christ (CHRIST’S LOVE FOR US) constraineth us (CONTROLS US, KEEPS US IN CHECK, DEFINES OUR EXISTENCE, LIKE A CATTLE CHUTE); because we thus judge, (SINCE WE HAVE CONCLUDED) that if one died for all, (THAT, IF JESUS DIED FOR EVERYONE) then were all dead: (THEN EVERYONE THROUGH HIS DEATH IS CONSIDERED DEAD TO THIS WORLD-BASED EXISTENCE, DEAD TO SIN)
Because Christ died for everyone, the whole world…Everyone is as dead. Christ died for us because we were steeped in sin (Rom.
21For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Corinthians. 5:21
That incredible, self-sacrificing love is what holds us like a giant hug. We look at that kind of love and are compelled to live “in” it.
15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
15And that he died for all, (AND, THAT JESUS DIED FOR EVERYONE)
that they which live (SO THAT THOSE WHO CHOOSE LIFE THROUGH HIM)
should not henceforth live unto themselves, (WOULD NO LONGER LIVE SELF-BASED LIVES) but unto him, (BUT LIVE CHRIST-BASED LIVES FOR HIM) which died for them and rose again. (WHO DIED FOR THEM AND WAS RAISED FOR THEM)
Actually, that’s why He did it. He died for us so that we wouldn’t live just for ourselves anymore. Thinking only about our lives, the clothes we’ll wear, and what we’ll eat (matt.
16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: (WE NO LONGER LOOK AT MEN FROM A WORLDLY POINT OF VIEW; HUMAN, PHYSICALLY BASED) yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, (EVEN THOUGH AT ONE TIME THAT’S HOW WE VIEWED CHRIST) yet now henceforth know we him no more. (BUT NOW WE DON’T KNOW HIM THAT WAY ANYMORE, WE VIEW HIM FROM A SPIRITUAL PERSCPECTIVE)
We don’t even look at people the same way anymore…because we realize there is so much more than this earth-bound life. All the quarreling over earthly things seems so silly since we have our eternal purpose in sight.
We used to think Jesus was earth-bound, but we sure found out differently when we saw Him die a horrible death and then 3 days later we saw Him alive! What incredible power!
Such wonderful love behind that sacrifice.
Such magnificent power behind His being raised to life again
Earthly problems seem to disappear
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
17Therefore (BECAUSE OF CHRIST’S LOVE FOR US ) if any man be in Christ (CONDITIONAL ON OUR ACCEPTANCE OF HIM) he is a new creature. (I AM A NEW CREATION) Old things are passed away; (THE OLD WAY OF DOING THINGS IS GONE) behold, all things are become new. (LOOK, A NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS HAS BEGUN)
THEREFORE – Because Christ died for us and was raised for us and since we are to then live for Him…
IF – It’s our choice: if you would have Him as your Savior. If you would accept the life He gave for you, if you would accept His love for you and His desire that you live for Him.
if
ANY - Whosover - Romans 10:13 Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
IN - we must be in Christ – a relationship of trust, of rest; resting in His sacrifice, in His promise of eternal life, in His work.
CHRIST – The anointed One. The Son of God sent to die for us; The Messiah.
IF, THEN
NEW CREATURE – a new creation, a new masterpiece, work of art – an original creation of God’s but now NEW. Quality added to the original. That being the indwelling Holy Spirit. Galatians
Augustine (354 - 430 AD) Our Daily Bread, Thursday, April 29
The story is told that when Augustine was still without God and without hope, the Holy Spirit convicted him on the basis of Paul’s words in Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Augustine acknowledged his sinfulness, accepted Jesus as his Savior, and became a different person. His entire outlook on life began to change because of his new nature. One day he had to attend to some business in his old haunts in
OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY - The old way of doing things, the old paradigm; the old relationship to God as dead in sin, not being able to enjoy fellowship with our Creator. We are no longer identified with Adam and the fall on man. We are no longer “slaves to sin” for we have been freed by Christ’s death for us because we “died” with Him. Not based on experience, but because God said so!
A few years before John Newton died, a friend was having breakfast with him. Their custom was to read from the Bible after the meal. Because
The day the selection was from 1 Corinthians 15. When the words “by the grace of God I am what I am” were read,
ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW – A new way of doing things (as in v.16), a new paradigm, has begun. We are now identified with Jesus Christ.
As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage. “Forget about the repairs,” the buyer said. “When I buy this place, I’m going to build something completely different. I don’t want the building; I want the site.
Compared with the renovation God has in mind, our efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as sweeping a warehouse slated for the wrecking ball.
When we become God’s, the old life is over. He makes all things new. All he wants is the site and the permission to build.
Ian L. Wilson, Source unknown
NEW – notice that new is not the same as perfect or mature. It is as a new plant emerging from the soil. It requires water and care to grow to maturity.
Think of a snow covered landscape in the winter time. As spring comes the snow melts and shoots of green begin to push their way to the top.
It’s a process, not an end. We daily need to ask ourselves whether or not we are surrendering to His will so we will make “progress in the process.”
So now, we understand that if anybody accepts Christ as their Savior and Lord, choosing to live for Him instead of themselves…they are a whole new creation.
The old things: death, being a slave to sin, separation from God, to name a few, are gone!
This newness is sprouting up…the realization that we have a new purpose, that life is eternal now and that we’re no longer separated from God, but can enjoy fellowship with Him. In fact, He welcomes it.
18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
18And all things are of God, (AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE FROM GOD) who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, (WHO CAUSED US TO BE MADE RIGHT WITH HIMSELF THROUGH THE SACRIFICE OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST) and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (AND GAVE US THE PRIVELEGE OF SHOWING OTHERS THAT THEY TOO CAN BE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD BY TRUSTING IN JESUS’ SACRIFICE)
ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD – all these things, the new way of doing things, even the possibility of it, is from God, not ourselves or anything we’ve done. (Ephesians 2:8-9) God is the eternal Source. It’s His power that causes it to work!
All of this newness is from God for we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do the good work that He prepared for us to do (Eph.
We’ve got a new job, new purpose, new life and an incredible relationship with the Creator of all things.
But…there’s a hitch. There is still a struggle between the Old and the New! READ: Romans 7:15-8:1 in the Message or NLT
Even though the old things have passed away, like being a slave to sin, our old nature is still hanging around because it is tied to this body of flesh that we’re living in.
Now this new creation part is a spiritual thing…Jesus mentioned that in talking to Nicodemus (John
Now my spirit wants to do what is pleasing to God, but my sin nature that still is in my fleshly body, doesn’t. It’s like a war!!
I am so thankful that the death penalty was lifted when Jesus took it on Himself to die for me, because there is no way I could have kept every single command. Part of me wants to, but the other part is constantly fighting. Our sin nature still gets it’s way sometimes, but our new nature doesn’t approve; it (our new nature) feels bad, but WE (because of our New nature) ARE NO LONGER CONDEMNED TO DEATH. (Rom. 8:1)
So, daily I have to try to live MORE in the Spirit. It’s a process. I was telling the people in
Those are the “Spirit” things, the new nature things. Those are the things we have to “eat, drink and sleep.” We are new creations, not perfect ones, not fully developed, mature ones, but babes in Christ until that day when He finishes the good work He started in us. (Phil. 1:6)
OLD NATURE – SLAVE TO SIN
NEW NATURE – FREE IN CHRIST, OF CHRIST, BY CHRIST, THROUGH
CHRIST
OLD – TRY TO OBEY THE LAW (613 or more!)
NEW – EVERYTHING THROUGH THE “JESUS” FILTER, THE “LOVE” FILTER
Does what I’m doing and thinking express my love and appreciation for
what Jesus has done in my life? Does what I’m doing and thinking show
to others that I have a New Nature in Christ? Am I living for earthly based things; money, career, etc. or spiritually based things; God’s will, loving Him, loving others, etc.?
OLD – AVOIDING CERTAIN THINGS based on a list of rules and regulations (the
law); LIFE FROM A NEGATIVE VIEW.
NEW – LIVING IN Christ; His grace, His power, His strength, His love; LIFE
FROM A POSITIVE VIEW.