1. New Life in Christ 2 Cor. 5:17 Charles Lin 7/13/2014 BOLGPC

2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

3. Ingrafted Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5). If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root (Rom. 11:17).

4. In Christ We have a close, intimate, and real relationship with Jesus, and the “old has passed away.” Our old selves died with Christ at the cross, and the new lives resurrected with Christ. Our desire becomes the accomplishment of God’s will rather than the realization of our will. We have ushered in the new lives in the ages to come.

5. New Creation Paul uses the Greek word ktisis(ktisiß) for “new creation.” – Two meanings of ktisis: 1.the creative act, the act of creation 2.the creation We are changed by Jesus’ “ktisis” and become His “ktisis.”

6. Old vs. New Life

8. How Do We Become And Remain Recipients Of The New Life?

9. 1. Admit We All Sinned We can never be perfect and sinless by our own ways. We can never be good enough in the sight of God. No amount of change can truly improve our physical, emotional and spiritual lives permanently. No amount of education and efforts/methods can correct our sinful nature and give us a good life. We need a change of heart instead.

10. 2. Ask Jesus To Come Into Our Lives We can admit we’re wrong, that we’re sinners, but until we ask Jesus Christ to come into our lives and restore the relationship with God, which was severed by sins, we will never truly be changed and set free from the bondages of sins. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Rev. 3:20).

11. 3. Trust God In Everything Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding ( Prov. 3:5 ) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose ( Rom. 8:28 )

12. 4. Be Ambassadors of Christ Knows the heart of Christ Stays in constant communication with Christ Keeps his heart set on Christ’s interests alone Represents Christ well Is ready to be sent whenever he is called to wherever he is needed.

13. 5. Fellow Workers With Christ God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 1:9 ) As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain (2 Cor. 6: 1 )

16. New Life 1.Admit We All Sinned 2.Ask Jesus To Come Into Our Lives 3.Trust God In Everything 4.Be Ambassadors of Christ 5.Fellow Workers With Christ