"A New You for the New Year"
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
INTRODUCTION: What do you think of when a new year comes around? Is it weight loss or a new hairdo or a new wardrobe? For most the focus is on making external changes in the hope that these changes will lead to a new outcome. Unfortunately experience teaches a different lesson. Most of our hopes, dreams and plans suffer from an overdose of reality and we are right back where we started from if not worse.
But there is no doubt that there is a powerful appeal to the idea of a "makeover!" Just look at the reality television out there that holds out the promise of "a new you!" Names like "American Restoration" and "Biggest Loser" come to mind just to name a few and there is even one called "Pimp My Ride" that takes old cars and gives them a makeover.
Also, with each New Year we preachers search for a way to call attention to the notion that each New Year is a time for new beginnings, a fresh start and a "do over!" We talk about resolutions and recommitments and to tell you the truth a lot of it gets a little "old' if you know what I mean.
What is this fascination with being made-over? Some psychologists have suggested that it has everything to do with a deep-seated discontent that rules our lives these days. We grapple with the aging process that slowly but surely is claiming our youth. Where once we kept a car until it had 150,000 miles, more and more Americans are trading in the old before it even becomes "old." We are a people obsessed with reclaiming youth and newness. We long to be a Phoenix rising from the ashes of what was, restored to a new promise of what could be. After all of this effort, can we say that we are getting there? Will the "rebuilding" process necessary to this make-over finally find us content? Mark Brunner
As I prayed about what my first message would be for 2014 one verse stood out in my mind and if any verse in the Bible speaks to this idea, this one does. This verse is the ultimate makeover! What is Paul saying? First, he declares that in Christ we have:
I. THE AVAILABILITY OF A NEW LIFE
The message of this passage is clear that in a world without hope there is hope for a new life. This new life is available to anyone! The opening statement is "...if any man..." and is an invitation to all those who seek a change of new direction, a new decorum and new destiny! All three words have something to say about this hope for change.
a. It is volitional
The offer is there and you have a choice. You are a free moral agent and you can choose but you have to choose for no one can choose for you.
BILLY GRAHAM: CHOICES
Billy Graham said, "The strongest principle of life and blessings lies in our choice. Our life is the sum result of all the choices we make, both consciously and unconsciously. If we can control the process of choosing, we can take control of all aspects of our life. We can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of our life. So start with what is right rather than what is acceptable.
"If you don't make a decision, then time will make it for you, and time will always side against you."
b. It is vital
Vital means that it is extremely important and necessary, or indispensable....so if you want change this is the way to have real change. It is for "any man!" No one is excluded. No one is left out. It means everyone, right, and that includes you, any man or woman no matter where you are in life or what you have done or what mistakes you have made.
II. THE ACCESS TO A NEW LIFE
Notice that in our text the emphasis is not on "doing" something but on "being in" someone and that someone is Jesus! Because this change can only be brought by Jesus then it's obvious that is about a relationship with a person! "In" is a preposition that indicates place and state. For instance we could say that "John spent 4 years in the Navy" or "John's life is in a mess." If any man is "in" Christ then he would be "in:"
a. The Savior
Christ is the Greek equivalent to Messiah and in the Bible Christ is the Savior who will come into the world.
b. The Surrender
If a man is in the Savior then there is the presumption that he has met the requirements to be in the Christ. That would involve a full surrender to His Lordship by faith.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
III. THE ASSURANCE OF A NEW LIFE
The man of woman who is in Christ is literally a "new creation!" To use a popular slogan from a recent political campaign, this is "change you can believe in!" This is so great. "Is" is the 3rd person singular of "be!" So we can read this verse in this way: "if any man be...he is a new creature!"
Though no one can go back and make a new beginning - anyone can start from now and make a brand new end. Carl Brand
We know that this new life is not possible without faith but it is also truth that in response to genuine faith God always does what He has promised. Let me give just a few verses that emphases this truth.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
IV. THE ACTIVITY OF A NEW LIFE
Paul describes the results of this new life in Christ in two ways, both negatively (old things are passed by) and positively (all things are becoming new.).
a. The Old Things
Literally "Did pass by" as in old attitudes and actions are left behind. Robertson's Word Studies In Paul's case it involved old prejudices concerning Christ and the Gentiles. I have a friend in Clarksville, Tennessee who is planting a church there and he is calling it "180" Church. It easy to see that Paul had done a "180!"
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
b. The Operative Things
Again from Robertson we have: Behold, they are become new (idou, gegone kaina). Perfect active indicative of ginomai, have become new (fresh, kaina) to stay so.
Not just a mending. Jesus taught about the futility of just trying to mend something.
Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
Not just remodeling or resolution or reform but a new creation that new and fresh!
Ill - There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it today. Handley C. G. Moule
Conclusion: FAITHFUL INSTRUCTIONS
Ill - There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note. The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn't work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveler." The man refilled the jug and added to the note: "Please prime the pump, believe me it works"!
We have the same choice to make, do we hold on to what we have because we don't believe there are better things in store for us, and settle for immediate satisfaction? Or do we trust God and give up all that we have to get what God has promised us? I think the choice is obvious. We need to pour in all the water, trust God with everything. Then once we have experienced what God has to offer, the living water, we need to tell other people, "Go ahead prime the pump, believe me it works"!
