The Significance Of A New Creation-4 Series

The SIGNIFICANCE Of A NEW CREATION-IV—2Corinthians 5:9--6:10

Attention:

A town that is failing, must reinvent itself.

The people find no significant means of support there.

The town usually will court industry from outside.

Example:

Cleveland, NC—Had 1)Two gas station, one of which went out of business. 2)A general store—1989 Freightliner(now Daimler Trucks North America) opened a truck manufacturing plant in Cleveland! Now have 2900 employees! Changed the makeup of & transformed the entire town!

A true Christian receives a new nature.

Will you avoid disaster with your new life?

Need:

My life seems hollow...I’m missing something. But I’m powerless to do more than what I can do on my own. It depends on my ability & energy & I just can’t do it anymore. I have no joy or love of what my future holds.

I can’t seem to rise above the sinful desires of my heart. What do I do?

The key to our verses is 2Cor. 5:17—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Paul clarified the significance of being a new creation in Christ to the Corinthian church.

There is significance to being a new creation in Christ.

But what is significant about a new creation in Christ?

10+ aspects of the significance of a new creation in Christ.

We have previously found that A new creation is significant in its New...

1. PLEASUREs(5:9)

2. RECEPTION(5:10)

3. PERSUASION(5:11)

4—A new creation is significant in its New...

OPPORTUNITY(5:12)

Explanation:(5:12)Discernment/Offer

5:12—“For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance & not in heart.”

Paul has already gloried in his weakness, his trials, & his struggles(2Cor. 1:8 & 2Cor. 11:24-30), but he is not doing so in order to convict the Corinthian Christians of his (& Timothy’s) apostolic authority.

Paul(with Timothy(1:1)) does not see fit to call attention to his calling, particularly in a repetitive manner. By his use of “again” he therefore must have, at some time in the past, “commended”/vindicated himself, the apostles, & fellow workers of Christ to the Corinthian church.

2Cor. 12:2-12—“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- how he was caught up into Paradise & heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs & wonders & mighty deeds.”

2Cor. 10:17-18—“But “he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”

1Cor. 1:12-13—“Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

Some if not many among the Corinthian Christians considered Paul’s trials to be a sign of his being a ‘lesser’ apostle &/or man of God.

Rather than Paul & Timothy “commending themselves,” the church at Corinth should be united in the business of “boasting” “on their behalf.”

Paul knew the reality of his & Timothy’s “commendation” could, would, & should be used to give that entire church an opportunity to “boast” because of them! Such “boasting” would be a signature of their trust in God’s working thru the apostle(s)!