"The Power of the Gospel!"
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: I'd like to start by making a couple of observations. First, 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. Second, this idea that we would like to have a "do over" of a certain aspect of your life, a chance to make a different decision, to go in a different direction indicates an underlying discontent leads us to want makeovers and do overs. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but makeovers are temporary and do-overs are impossible because we would need to "turn back the clock," in either case and that is an impossibility. Is there no hope then to have a better life? The answer is yes there is hope.
How many of you would like to make some changes in your life? Probably just about everyone in this sanctuary this evening would like to be different or do something different! The trouble is that many people don't possess the hope for change that is, they think that their situation is hopeless, they feel defeated and they don't see a way for change to be affected in their lives. They may think that it is possible for others but not for them. If you don't believe what I'm saying just take a look at social media. Just this last week I read a post from a young mother who professes to be a Christian and she said, and I quote, "I feel so lost." I've read and heard people express the feeling that things are never going to get any better, that no matter what they try things just do not change. Now let me say that from a strictly human standpoint that may be true. Oh, you may be able to effect some measure of change in your life be sheer force of will but that's not what I'm talking about tonight. What I'm saying is that you have the opportunity to totally transform your life if you choose. How is this possible? First and foremost you need to recognize that that only real and lasting change comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Now I'm not talking about "getting religion" I'm talking about a relationship with Jesus. In a recent political campaign the slogan used by the candidate was "Change You Can Believe In," but what he meant and what I'm talking about are two entirely different things. One relies on human intellect and ingenuity why the other relies on divine power. One may change your life temporarily while the other will alter the direction and destiny of your life for all eternity. Look at our text with me tonight and let's see what Paul had to say about this change. First, there is:
I. THE PROMISE OF CHANGE -- "If any man be in Christ..."
a. The resolution -- "If..."
Definition -- Conjunction..."used to talk about the result or effect of something that may happen or be true"
Someone said that if is the biggest word in the English language. That is true because if suggests opportunity and options. Opportunity because we have a choice to make and options because we can make a like changing choice or not.
b. The respondent -- "...any man..."
This change is not only possible "if" but also available to "...any man...!" It is the answer to everyone who says I can't. God says you can or more precise, He can! No matter what you have done or what you imagine you have done, because much of what we think is in our minds, God states that change is possible for any man. Turn with me to 2 Chronicles 33 and let me tell you a story about a man name Manasseh. If you read this story there is one thing that stands out and that is that God can change anyone!
2 Chronicles 33:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
4 Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.
5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
7 And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
8 Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.
9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
10 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
c. The relationship -- "...be in Christ..."
Galatians 3:26-28 gives us insight into the phrase "in Christ" and what it means. "In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Paul is speaking to the Christians in Galatia, reminding them of their new identity since they placed their faith in Jesus Christ. To be "baptized into Christ" means that they were identified with Christ, having left their old sinful lives and fully embracing the new life in Christ (Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). When we respond to the Holy Spirit's drawing, He "baptizes" us into the family of God. First Corinthians 12:13 says, "For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body--whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."
Several places in Scripture refer to the believer's being "in Christ" (1 Peter 5:14; Philippians 1:1; Romans 8:1). Colossians 3:3 says, "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." God is perfect justice. He cannot simply overlook or excuse our sin; that would not be just. Sin had to be paid for. All the wrath God holds toward evil was poured out on His own Son. When Jesus took our place on the cross, He suffered the punishment our sin deserves. His last words before He died were, "It is finished" (John 19:30). What was finished? Not merely His earthly life. As He proved three days later, that was not finished (Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:6; 1 Corinthians 15:6). What He finished on the cross was God's plan to redeem His fallen world. When Jesus said, "It is finished," He was stating that He had successfully paid in full for every act of rebellion, past, present, and future.
To be "in Christ" means we have accepted His sacrifice as payment for our own sin. Our rap sheets contain every sinful thought, attitude or action we have ever committed. No amount of self-cleansing can make us pure enough to warrant forgiveness and a relationship with a holy God (Romans 3:10-12). The Bible says that in our natural sinful state we are enemies of God (Romans 5:10). When we accept His sacrifice on our behalf, He switches accounts with us. He exchanges our list of sins for His perfect account that is totally pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 5:21). A Divine Exchange takes place at the foot of the cross: our old sin nature for His perfect one (2 Corinthians 5:17).
To enter the presence of a holy God, we must be hidden in the righteousness of Christ. To be "in Christ" means that God no longer sees our imperfections; He sees the righteousness of His own Son (Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 8:12). Only "in Christ" is our sin debt cancelled, our relationship with God restored, and our eternity secured (John 3:16-18, 20:31). Questions.Org
Ill - A well know Christian was being interviewed on the radio. The host asked, "How would you defend Christianity?"
"I can't defend Christianity."
"But I thought you were a Christian, why won't you defend Christianity?"
"I am a Christian, but Christianity means something different to you and to me--there are as many different definitions of Christianity as there are listeners. I can't defend Christianity, but I can talk with you about the love of Jesus and how he has changed my life."
Bottom line--biblical Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship with Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God.
II. THE POWER OF CHANGE -- "...he is a new creature..."
a. It is a real -- "...he is..."
The Lord is a rewarder of them "...that diligently seek Him..." and all those "...who seek Him shall find Him..." This is not a hope so, maybe so, think so, transaction, it is real change!
Some try to change externally. They try crash diets, plastic surgery, new hairdos, and new clothes. In truth we really want to just change the outside covering. But some try to do it internally - Americans spend $50 million a year on subliminal message tapes designed to help them do everything from improve their self-image to stop smoking. But there's no hidden message in the National Research Council's verdict on such techniques. The Council's report, released in September 1992, concludes that subliminal messages simply don't work. They don't deliver the life-transforming power they promise. But Jesus does "deliver!" Any man who is in Christ "...is..." really changed.
b. It is a radical -- "...a new creature..."
We ARE a New Creation -- We are RADICALLY Changed. This is not a minor modification this is a major overhaul. You do not evolve into a Christian. Yes you should grow in your walk, your behavior in your maturity. But you are no more a Christian today than you were yesterday. Why? Because the change isn't up to you. You don't change yourself -- you are changed. J. Douglas Duty Jr.
ILL - A man was selling an old warehouse, the building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Gangs had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and thrown trash everywhere.
As he showed a prospective buyer the property, The man took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage.
"Forget about the repairs," the buyer said. "When I buy this place, I'm going to build something completely different. I don't want the building; I want the site.
Compared with the renovation God has in mind, our efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as sweeping a warehouse that is slated for the wrecking ball.
III. THE PARTICULARS OF CHANGE -- "old things have passed away, behold, all things are become new."
a. The making of a transformed life
One thing that must be understood is that Christ doesn't just put a new coat of paint on top of the old, He makes something brand new. Here's how Jesus put it...
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.
b. The marks of a transformed life
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
1. There are new appetites
We are born with the wrong appetites but Christ gives us new ones!
Wolf Licks Bloodied Knife To Death
Radio personality Paul Harvey tells the story of how an Eskimo kills a wolf. The account is grisly, yet it offers fresh insight into the consuming, self-destructive nature of sin.
"First, the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood, and another, until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood.
"Next, the hunter fixes his knife in the ground with the blade up. When a wolf follows his sensitive nose to the source of the scent and discovers the bait, he licks it, tasting the fresh frozen blood.
"He begins to lick faster, more and more vigorously, lapping the blade until the keen edge is bare. Feverishly now, harder and harder the wolf licks the blade in the Arctic night.
"So great becomes his craving for blood that the wolf does not notice the razor-sharp sting of the naked blade on his own tongue. Nor does he recognize the instant at which his insatiable thirst is being satisfied by his own warm blood.
"His carnivorous appetite just craves more--until the dawn finds him dead in the snow!"
2. There are new activities
We are sinners by nature and do the things that sinners do but Christ changes all that.
Ill - In one of his meetings, D.L. Moody was explaining to his audience the truth that we cannot bring about spiritual changes in our lives by our own strength. He demonstrated the principal like this: "Tell me," he said to his audience, "how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?" One man said, "Suck it out with a pump." But Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter it." Finally after many suggestions, he picked up a pitcher and quietly filled the glass with water. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate sinful habits, but rather by allowing Christ to take full possession.
3. There are new attitudes
When a person comes to faith in Christ there will be some evidence of this faith in their lives. You won't see perfection in a Christian, but what you will see is something different in that person. You will see some evidence that a person has a relationship with Christ.
Now it's very important to we understand that we aren't talking about being saved by works. You aren't a Christian because you don't curse or smoke or cut people off in traffic or because you go to church or give money to charity.
Everyone sins and falls short of God's glory, but through Christ we are forgiven of those sins. A Christian is someone who calls on Christ to save them from their sins. (Rom 3:23-26)
You'll see these differences more clearly in some Christians than in others -- we're all a work in progress and we all grow in Christ at different rates. But eventually the person who is following Christ will:
1) Love Christ
We love Him because He first loved us. (1 Jhn 4:19)
2) Hate Sin
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Rom 12:9)
3) Pray
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)
4) Read and Apply the Teachings of the Bible
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (Jam 1:22)
5) Turn from the Works of the Flesh
Galatians 5:19-21 The works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.
6) Produce the Fruits of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
7) Live by Faith
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
4. There are new affections
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Conclusion: "Though no one can go back and make a new beginning - anyone can start from now and make a brand new end." -- Carl Brand
Ill - We have all heard the "Good New"..."Bad News!" aphorisms. Here's one with a little different twist. I have some "Bad News...Good News...Best News!" for you...
The bad news, you are dying! It's no joke, biologist tell us that every day, to some extent, each of us are dying...The cells and atoms in our bodies are dying. In fact, every atom and every cell that is now in our bodies will die off within the next seven years. In essence, we are experiencing a daily dying of our physical being.
The good news, you are being restored! Just as the cells and atoms in our bodies are dying, likewise new ones are being created to take their place. It is my understanding, (and I make no claim to being a biologist) this process makes a complete transition every seven years. In one way, every seven years, you completely become a different person. So, when someone tells you, you're not the same person you use to be, there is a whole lot of truth in it. I find this whole idea of our bodies continuously dying and being restored a rather refreshing thought. But!...even with this good news...we will eventually taste physical death, the bad news!
The Best News! You don't have to wait seven years to be made a "new person". And the Best news...this time, the "new person" will live forever. The Bible says if anyone be IN CHRIST, he is a NEW creature; old things are passed away; all things become new.
Yet, we must die to self and self-interest, and be raised with Christ and be Christ-absorbed. So, when making decisions we will make decisions based on faith in Christ and not based on our own self-interest. Byron Maynard
