Introduction

Good morning, dear family of God. Gathered here today, we stand on the precipice of a profound understanding, a revelation of God's Word that has the power to transform our lives and deepen our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We're not merely scratching the surface of faith, but rather, we are about to embrace the profound truths that lie in the heart of God's Word.

Our Scripture for today comes from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians, specifically 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

This is an invitation, a call to each one of us, to become a new creation in Christ. But what does it mean to be a new creation? How does this transformation occur? And how can we, as fallible humans, truly believe in God's constant presence? How can we build a pure heart? These are the questions we will address today.

I am reminded of the words of the great Christian thinker, J.I. Packer, who once said, "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord." It is in knowing God, in understanding His love for us, that we can become new creations, that we can believe in His constant presence, and that we can build pure hearts.

So, let's open our hearts and minds to the Word of God. Let's allow His truth to permeate our thoughts, our actions, and our lives. Let's become new creations in Christ, let's believe in His constant presence, and let's build pure hearts.

Becoming a New Creation in Christ

Transformation is not just about a change in behavior or a shift in perspective. It's about a complete overhaul of our very being. This is what happens when we accept Christ into our lives. We're not just refurbished or improved versions of our old selves. We're entirely new beings. We're reborn, not of flesh, but of spirit.

This transformation is not putting on a facade of righteousness or piety. It's about a deep, inner change that affects every aspect of our lives. When we accept Christ into our lives, we're becoming Christians first and foremost. Our identity in Christ becomes the foundation of our entire existence. Everything else, every other aspect of our lives, is built upon this foundation.

This transformation takes time. Every day, we have to choose to live as new creations in Christ. In the context of our scripture, the idea of becoming a new creation is tied to the concept of being in Christ. This is not a physical location, but a spiritual state. It's about being enveloped in Christ's love, being guided by His truth, being empowered by His Spirit.

Being in Christ means that we're not alone in our transformation. We're not left to our own devices, trying to figure out how to become new creations. Christ is with us every step of the way. He's our guide, our mentor, our strength. He's the one who makes our transformation possible.

If we are in Christ, we're part of a larger body. We're not isolated individuals, trying to live out our faith in solitude. We're part of the Church, the body of Christ. We have a connection to other believers who are also striving to live as new creations.

Being a new creation in Christ finally includes transforming the world around us. As new creations, we're called to be ambassadors for Christ. We're called to share the good news of Christ's love and grace with others.

Believing in God's Constant Presence

As we immerse ourselves in the divine wisdom of the Holy Scripture, we are drawn to the comforting assurance of God's constant presence ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO