Because He Lives, We Are a New Creation
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SUBJECT: Resurrection
TITLE: Because He Lives, We are a New Creation
PROPOSITION: The New Man in Christ is 1) Authentic, 2) Evangelistic, 3) Reconciled.
OBJECTIVE: That each hearer would know what God has done to create us anew so that we can live for Christ.
AIM: To communicate the nature of the New Man as set forth in 2 Corinthians 5:10-21.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 2 Corinthians 5:10-21
2. About the Text:
1) Paul refers to some who were opposed to him and his work in this passage.
2) What was Paul’s answer to them and problems with other people?
3) It was the Jesus, His resurrection, and the transformed life.
4) The New Creation in Christ is radically different from the old way of living.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: Because He lives, the New Man is transformed to be . . .
I. Authentic
1. He examines his faults – v.12-13.
1) Some boast in their appearance and not in heart, being content with externals.
2) “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Cor.13:5).
2. He knows his motives – v.13-14.
1) Paul was accused of being crazy by those who were living according to appearances.
2) Do we know our own heart? Jer.17:9 – “The heart is desperately wicked . . . .”
3) God wants us to know it.
4) We truly know our motives by letting the love of Christ control us.
3. He identifies with Christ – v.14-15.
1) The love of Christ controls us because we are Christ’s.
2) He died for all, and all died – Gal.2:20.
3) Now we live for Him.
4) Living for Him is joy, peace, love, hope, and blessing because of His righteous life.
II. Evangelistic
1. He sees people as God sees them – v.16-17.
1) We are looking at people through Christ’s eyes who died for them.
2) We see them as persons made in God’s image (Gen.1:27).
3) We see them as worth the blood of Christ that was paid for them (1 Peter 1:18-19).
4) Not only are we new who have been transformed by Christ, but all things are new because we are looking at them through the works of Christ.
5) Do we look at other people as we would look at our children or grandchildren?
2. He works under God’s plan – v.18.
1) God’s plan was Jesus.
2) God reconciles through Jesus today.
3) Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
3. He preaches reconciliation – v.19-20.
1) In identifying with Christ, He shares Christ’s desires for all to be reconciled.
2) So he preaches reconciliation with God in Christ.
3) The mission of Christ is his mission (Matthew 28:18-20).
4) It’s not just academic with him.
III. Reconciled – 21.
1. He knows his spiritual poverty.
1) Knowing his sin, he continually leans upon Christ’s shed blood for forgiveness.
2) 1 John 1:7
2. He knows the righteousness of Christ.
1) That he was sinless.
2) That he was gracious.
3) 2 Cor.8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
3. He understands that his righteousness flows from Christ’s righteousness.
1) This is what it means to be a new creation.
2) To let Christ live in me; to let His righteousness be my righteousness.
3) Colossians 1:27 – “To [Christians] God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
CONCLUSION:
1. Because He lives, the new creation is . . .
1) Authentic
2) Evangelistic
3) Reconciled
2. Invitation