He Makes All Things New

HE MAKES ALL THINGS NEW

2 COR 5:17

17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NAS)

INTRODUCTION

What rhymes with 98? I have been trying to think of a poetic saying for our sign. Perhaps you can help. If you have a thought give it to me after church.

I thought of the man trying to console the person on their way to the electric chair, Good luck etc. were not appropriate. He finally said more power to you.

Everyone needs to work to improve them self in the new year. It is possible to be made new through the work of God in our life. Listen as I point out these facts about the work of God.

1. He Makes . . A NEW CREATION.

2. He Makes . . A NEW COVENANT.

3. He Makes . . A NEW COMMAND.

4. He Makes . . A NEW HEAVEN and EARTH.

1. He Makes . . A NEW CREATION. 2 Cor 5:17

17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NAS)

A. New Creation with a new . . Self.

Eph 4:24 and put on the new self, which in {the likeness of} God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (NAS)

Col 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him

ILLUSTRATION

Oscar Cervantes is a dramatic example of Christ’s power to transform lives. As a child, Oscar began to get into trouble. Then as he got older, he was jailed 17 times for brutal crimes. Prison psychiatrists said he was beyond help. But they were wrong! During a brief interval of freedom, Oscar met an elderly man who told him about Jesus. He placed his trust in the Lord and was changed into a kind, caring man. Shortly afterward he started a prison ministry. Chaplain H. C. Warwick describes it this way: "The third Saturday night of each month is ’Oscar Night’ at Soledad. Inmates come to hear Oscar and they sing gospel songs with fervor; they sit intently for over 2 hours; they come freely to the chapel altar.... What professionals had failed to do for Oscar in years of counseling, Christ did in a moment of conversion."

B. New Creation with a new . . Song.

Rev 14:3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.

ILLUSTRATION

Stuart Hamlin wrote country and western songs. Before he got saved he wrote a song titled "I won’t go hunting with you Jake but I’ll go chasing women"

Stuart got saved and John Wayne made a bet Stuart wouldn’t last six months. Sometime after the six months Stuart saw JOHN WAYNE and he said "you cost me some money Stuart I bet you wouldn’t last six months". Stuart said "it is no secret what God can do". John Wayne said that sounds like a good song title and Stuart when home that night and wrote the song "It is no secret what God can do."

APPLICATION

You see his life was changed by the power of God.

2. He Makes . . A NEW COVENANT.

Luke 22:20, 1 Cor 11:25

A. The New Covenant is a . . Blood Covenant. Luke 22:20

20 And in the same way {He took} the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. (NAS)

1 Cor 11:25 In the same way {He took} the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink {it,} in remembrance of Me."

B. The New Covenant is a . . Better Covenant.

1. Better because of the . . Spirit. 2 Cor 3:6 who also made us adequate {as} servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (NAS)

2. Better because of the . . Savior. (Mediator) Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were {committed} under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (NAS)

ILLUSTRATION

Many European towns still bear the marks of having been surrounded by walls in the Middle Ages. Streets near these old walls are curved and sometimes come to dead ends. A man stopped a stranger and asked him the way to reach a certain address. The stranger directed him but the enquirer was still a little dubious. "Is that the best way?" he asked. The stranger quickly answered, "It is the only way. If you follow the other turning it will bring you back here."