The New Creation of God 2 Cor. 5:17 1

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: (Creation – ASV) old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2

“The entire reason for The Scheme of Redemption is ‘The New Creation’” Christ died that we might become a New Creation in Him. 3

I. “..If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (new creation)” What is the greatest difference between men throughout this world? 4

I. “..If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (new creation)” The greatest difference between men is this --- are they IN Christ or OUT of Christ That is the difference that matters Who is this Christ? 5

Is. 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel 6

Is. 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7

Mt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 8

Jn. 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 9

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 10

Christ is the central figure in all human history To be In Christ makes all the difference – in the here and now and in the hereafter The New Creation is found in Christ! 11

Gal. 3:27-28 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 12

Col. 3:10-11 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 13

Rom. 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 14

II. “Old things are passed away” The old man of sin is done away Someone wrote that early Christians threw away their old clothes when they obeyed the gospel 15

Rom. 6:6-7 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. 16

The old manner of life is left behind 17

Col. 3:5-10 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:… 18

For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them… 19

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds… 20

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 21

1 Jn. 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes. 22

and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 23

Gal. 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 24

III. “All things are become new” 1. A new relationship with God 1 Jn. 3:1-2 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 25

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 26

2. A new relationship with Christ Rom. 8:17 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” 27

3. A new relationship with the Holy Spirit Rom. 8:5 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” 28

4. A new relationship with our enemies Mt. 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” 29

5. A new relationship with other Christians 30

Jn. 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 31

Conclusion What a wonderful new creation New in every way! Now we can better understand why Jesus called his followers the light of the world and the salt of the earth! 32

References Adapted points from outline by Andrew Connally 33