January 5, 2025

A New Creation

Preacher:
Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:1-21
Service Type:
  • The last few verses are a wonderful reminder of the grace of God
    • Examples of TV ‘makeover’ programs – all aiming for change
  • The message of the Bible – God’s ultimate makeover for people
    • Deeper, more profound, longer lasting – truly life changing
      • God recreates those who put there trust in Him – v17
    • Example of ‘Ten Years Younger’
      • She looked different on the outside, but internally there was very little difference
    • God is talking about far more than surface level tweaks
      • The Pharisees did not understand this – outwardly they looked impressive
        • Yet Jesus was not impressed
    • Jesus came to bring internal change – real, lasting transformation
      • Example of rubbish bin
      • The most terrible acts can come from ‘religious’ people – because they are still unclean on the inside
    • Jesus does not look at the outward appearance but inwardly at our hearts
      • The Pharisees were hypocrites and murderers
    • Jesus came to transform the core of our being
  • How can we be made into a new creation?
    • v21 – Jesus was made sin for us
    • We have a serious problem before God – sin
      • We must humbly accept this
      • Left to ourselves, we have no desire for God
      • This leads to much sin – examples
      • Even our good deeds are often self-serving – examples
      • "Our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked" – Jer 17:9
      • Acknowledging our sin/our state is the first step to transformation – to realise you need transformation
    • Christ offers us a new heart, He changes our desires
  • How does God transform us?
    • The first step is recognising our sin
    • The second step – we must realise who Jesus is
      • He made sin
      • He lived a perfect and sinless life
      • He was the God Man – the second person of the Trinity
      • He was flawless
    • Our transformation relies on someone who is not like us
      • The one who knew no sin, became sin for us – v21
      • He went to the cross
      • He came to take our punishment for disobedience to the law of God
      • He identifies with our sin as though it was His own
      • He bore our guilt
      • He paid the price for our sin – example
      • He took full legal responsibility for our sin
      • By His wounds/stripes we are healed – Isa 53:5
      • He put our sin to death on the cross
      • He rose from the grave victorious over sin and death
    • The third step – we must recognise that by faith all our sins are counted against Him and not us
    • Without this – we cannot overcome sin
      • Example of brother
      • When we grasp the above – everything changes
      • We have Christ’s obedience to the law
      • We have all we need from Him for our transformation
      • We receive it as a gift
    • Be reconciled to God – v20
      • We cannot for we are sinners
      • But we can through faith – the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ
      • By trusting in Him and asking Him to change us
      • Turning from sin in repentance to Him
      • Trusting only in Christ
      • By grace – the free gift of God (Eph 2:8-9)
      • Changed into the image of Christ
  • Closing Remarks
    • An instant new transformation
    • We live in Christ
    • We will never be the same again – examples
    • We will be perfect one day in heaven (not overnight)
    • Quote from CS Lewis in "Mere Christianity"
    • A transformation where Christ comes to dwell in us
    • Complete transformation is available to all of us – be reconciled to God
    • Cast your sin upon Jesus and He will give His perfect life to you
    • You will be changed forever