WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

II Corinthians 5:14-17 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

II Corinthians 5:18-21 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1. Definition of the Christian life: Lord Jesus living His post resurrection life in & through you! Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – v17

2. There are two words for “new”.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – v17 2. There are two words for “new”. a. New ( νέος ) = new in relationship to time.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – v17 2. There are two words for “new”. a. New ( νέος ) = new in relationship to time. b. New ( καινός ) = new in relationship to substance; “a different kind” or “type” than the previous.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – v17 2. There are two words for “new”. a. New ( νέος ) = new in relationship to time. b. New ( καινός ) = new in relationship to substance; “ a different kind” or “ type ” than the previous.

I. It’s a New Creation Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – v17

A. How can you be a new creation? I. It’s a New Creation

A. How can you be a new creation? 1. By being born again. I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again– John 3:3 I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. – John 3:3 I. It’s a New Creation

A. How can you be a new creation? 2. This birth takes place “of water & the Spirit”. I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. – John 3:5 I. It’s a New Creation

A. How can you be a new creation? 2. This birth takes place “of water & the Spirit”. a. The father’s role. James 1:18 - He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. I. It’s a New Creation

A. How can you be a new creation? 2. This birth takes place “of water & the Spirit”. b. The mother’s role. Titus 3:5 - He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. I. It’s a New Creation

A. How can you be a new creation? 2. This birth takes place “of water & the Spirit”. c. Your baptism pictures this. Romans 6:4 - We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. I. It’s a New Creation

B. How can you continue as a different kind of creature? I. It’s a New Creation

B. How can you continue as a different kind of creature? 1. You become a member of God’s family. I John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I. It’s a New Creation

B. How can you continue as a different kind of creature? 2. You inherit God’s Holy Spirit. Romans 8:16 - The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Ephesians 4:30 - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. I. It’s a New Creation

B. How can you continue as a different kind of creature? 3. As spiritual babies, crave spiritual food! I Peter 2:2 - Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. I. It’s a New Creation

I. It’s a New Creation – v17 II. It’s a New Motivation And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. – v15

A. What are these new motivations? II. It’s a New Motivation

A. What are these new motivations? 1. You are to live for Christ. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. – v15 II. It’s a New Motivation

A. What are these new motivations? 2. You are to seek the heavenly lifestyle. Colossians 3:2-3 - Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. II. It’s a New Motivation

A. What are these new motivations? 3. Bible promises. I Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Romans 8:28 - 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. II. It’s a New Motivation

Matthew 6:28-30 & 33 - And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. II. It’s a New Motivation

Matthew 6:28-30 & 33 - And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. II. It’s a New Motivation

B. Where do these new motivations come from? II. It’s a New Motivation

B. Where do these new motivations come from? Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. II. It’s a New Motivation

B. Where do these new motivations come from? 1. How do you respond to this? II. It’s a New Motivation

B. Where do these new motivations come from? 1. How do you respond to this? 2. You go to the Word of God! II. It’s a New Motivation

I. It’s a New Creation – v17 II. It’s a New Motivation – v15 III. It’s a New Relationship to Others. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. – v20

A. You are an ambassador. III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

A. You are an ambassador. 1. Your mission is to reconcile others to God. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation – v18 III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

A. You are an ambassador. 1. Your mission is to reconcile others to God. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation – v18 Reconcile ( καταλλάσσω ) = exchange value for value as in exchanging coins. (Money Changers) III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

A. You are an ambassador. 2. Lord Jesus put it this way. Matthew 4:19 - Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

B. How will people know you are an ambassador? III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

B. How will people know you are an ambassador? John 13:35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

B. How will people know you are an ambassador? John 13:35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. I John 3:14 - We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

C. You must yield to the Lord’s Holy Spirit to have Him effectively minister through you! III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

Lord Jesus wants to: 1. Comfort lonely hearts. III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

Lord Jesus wants to: 1. Comfort lonely hearts. 2. Instruct & teach those hungering & thirsting after righteousness. III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

Lord Jesus wants to: 1. Comfort lonely hearts. 2. Instruct & teach those hungering & thirsting after righteousness. 3. Seek & to save the lost. III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

Lord Jesus wants to: 1. Comfort lonely hearts. 2. Instruct & teach those hungering & thirsting after righteousness. 3. Seek & to save the lost. 4. Walk among men & tell them of His love. III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

Lord Jesus wants to: 1. Comfort lonely hearts. 2. Instruct & teach those hungering & thirsting after righteousness. 3. Seek & to save the lost. 4. Walk among men & tell them of His love. 5. Present His personal message (the gospel) III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

Lord Jesus wants to: 1. Comfort lonely hearts. 2. Instruct & teach those hungering & thirsting after righteousness. 3. Seek & to save the lost. 4. Walk among men & tell them of His love. 5. Present His personal message (the gospel) 6. Live & work through you! III. It’s a New Relationship to Others.

Your responsibility now is to let Lord Jesus live within you to reconcile the world to Him!