Are You In Christ? Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. In Christ: All are Become New Creatures

2. In Christ: Old Things are Passed Away

3. In Christ: All Things are Become New

Remarks.

1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the theme: “Are you in Christ?” This is one of the most important questions one might be asked; regarding his or her relationship with Christ. Why is the question so important?

2. First, we will consider the idea that in Christ: “All are become new creatures.” The obedient believer to the gospel of Christ becomes a new creature through the faith of the operation of God. We will discuss the process of becoming a new creature or new man in Christ.

3. Second, we will discuss that in Christ: “Old things are passed away.” By this we mean, the “old man and his deeds” have been destroyed, put away, or was crucified by Christ, Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:22. This occurred during the process of becoming a new man, “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” Ephesians 2:10. This man is “created in righteousness and true holiness,” Ephesians 4:24.

4. Lastly, we will investigate that in Christ: “All things are become new.” By this we mean, the old man was put off; that the new man might be put on; “which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him,” Colossians 3:10. The new man has been created, “through the circumcision of Christ,” Colossians 2:11. With this brief introduction, let’s consider our first point.

BODY OF LESSON

I IN CHRIST: ALL ARE BECOME NEW CREATURES

A. Therefore, if any man be in Christ. “He is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new,” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Paul begins his affirmation of a new life, with a conditional statement: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” There are three promises, which begin with two words in the Greek; that needs further discussion. Consider,

1. First, this conditional promise begins with two important Gr., words:

a. One, if any, “ei tis” or i tis; a pronoun, which means: if any:—he that, or if a(-ny) man, or whether any, or whosoever. This is the beginning of a conditional statement.

b. Two, be in, “en” or en; a primary preposition, denoting a (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and a relation of rest; "in," at, (up-) on, by, or with, etc. It may also denote a location or place “with or beside Christ.”

c. Here, however, it means “in Christ.” After this conditional statement: “If any man be in Christ.” He mentions three: “Great and precious promises.” They are:

1) First, “all are become new creatures.”

2) Second, “old things are passed away.”

3) Third, “all things are become new.”

2. Further, Paul continues, with: “If anyone be (is) in Christ, he is a new creature.” This is the first great and precious promise to one that is in Christ: “He is a new creature.” The new life begins when a person is granted a place, “in Christ.” He/she has become a “new creature.” Notice:

a. This implies a thorough change of the heart. “For if any man be (is) in Christ, he has become a new creation. If any man be a Christian indeed, and will approve his life as such, he is, or he must be, a new creature.

b. Some present this phrase to mean: “Let him be a new creature.” This must be the mind of all that care to profess the Christian faith, that they be new creatures; not only that they have a new name, and claim a new life, but that they might manifest the behavior of “a new heart and divine nature,” 2 Peter 1:3-4.

c. And so great is the change the grace of God makes in the soul, that, as it follows, old things are passed away-old thoughts, old principles, and old practices, are passed away; and all these things must become new.

d. The question again today/tonight is: “Are you in Christ?”

3. Next, regenerating grace creates a new life in the soul; and allows all things to become new. The renewed man behaves with new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in a new state in Christ.

4. Finally, C. H. Spurgeon wrote: In a sermon on the same topic; Sermon (No. 881), words that might clarify the position and character of this “new creature.”

a. Title: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature,”- 2Cr 5:17.

b. He explained: “We have two great truths here, which would serve us for the subject of meditation for many a day: the believer’s position-he is “in Christ;” and the believer’s character-he is a “new creature.”