The SIGNIFICANCE Of A NEW CREATION-IV—2Corinthians 5:9--6:10
Attention:
A town that is failing, must reinvent itself.
The people find no significant means of support there.
The town usually will court industry from outside.
Example:
Cleveland, NC—Had 1)Two gas station, one of which went out of business. 2)A general store—1989 Freightliner(now Daimler Trucks North America) opened a truck manufacturing plant in Cleveland! Now have 2900 employees! Changed the makeup of & transformed the entire town!
A true Christian receives a new nature.
Will you avoid disaster with your new life?
Need:
My life seems hollow...I’m missing something. But I’m powerless to do more than what I can do on my own. It depends on my ability & energy & I just can’t do it anymore. I have no joy or love of what my future holds.
I can’t seem to rise above the sinful desires of my heart. What do I do?
The key to our verses is 2Cor. 5:17—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Paul clarified the significance of being a new creation in Christ to the Corinthian church.
There is significance to being a new creation in Christ.
But what is significant about a new creation in Christ?
10+ aspects of the significance of a new creation in Christ.
We have previously found that A new creation is significant in its New...
1. PLEASUREs(5:9)
2. RECEPTION(5:10)
3. PERSUASION(5:11)
4—A new creation is significant in its New...
OPPORTUNITY(5:12)
Explanation:(5:12)Discernment/Offer
5:12—“For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance & not in heart.”
Paul has already gloried in his weakness, his trials, & his struggles(2Cor. 1:8 & 2Cor. 11:24-30), but he is not doing so in order to convict the Corinthian Christians of his (& Timothy’s) apostolic authority.
Paul(with Timothy(1:1)) does not see fit to call attention to his calling, particularly in a repetitive manner. By his use of “again” he therefore must have, at some time in the past, “commended”/vindicated himself, the apostles, & fellow workers of Christ to the Corinthian church.
2Cor. 12:2-12—“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- how he was caught up into Paradise & heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs & wonders & mighty deeds.”
2Cor. 10:17-18—“But “he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”
1Cor. 1:12-13—“Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
Some if not many among the Corinthian Christians considered Paul’s trials to be a sign of his being a ‘lesser’ apostle &/or man of God.
Rather than Paul & Timothy “commending themselves,” the church at Corinth should be united in the business of “boasting” “on their behalf.”
Paul knew the reality of his & Timothy’s “commendation” could, would, & should be used to give that entire church an opportunity to “boast” because of them! Such “boasting” would be a signature of their trust in God’s working thru the apostle(s)!
Such trust would be evident in the Corinthian Church’s “having an answer” for those in their midst(& elsewhere) who chose to “boast” in mere outward “appearance” instead of the condition of the “heart.”
In their doing so, the church would effectively provide evidence of God’s power(“an answer”) to those who were rather “boasting in appearance” only. Thus these false apostles did not operate out of “hearts” sold out to Jesus.
**A pastor’s heart is not to answer the church’s enemies directly so much, but rather to have the church demonstrate such a love for God in Christ that they will uniformly dismiss any among them who are perpetrators of devilish thought & work! The lack of such attentions by the church is what hands Satan the power to splits churches!
“Boasting in appearance” is very similar to whitewashing a tomb(Mat. 23:27-28) or cosmetically covering something that is inherently dangerous. Like poisoning a steak given to a pet dog.
“Commend”—sunistanw—Present Active Indicative—1) To place together, to set in the same place,to bring or band together—1a) To stand with(or near); 2) To set one with another—3) To put together by way of composition or combination; 4) To put together, unite parts into one whole. Strong—To set together, i.e. by implication--To introduce(favorably), or figuratively--To exhibit; intransitively--To stand near, or figuratively--To constitute. Used 16X.
From—sun—a primary preposition denoting union; With or together, i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.—&—isthmi—To stand(transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively).
“Again”—palin—Adverb—1) Anew, again. Strong—probably from the same as palh[wrestling](through the idea of oscillatory repetition); adverbially--Anew, i.e. (of place) back, of time--Once more, or conjunctionally--Furthermore or on the other hand.
“Give”—didwmi—1) To give; 2) to give something to someone; 3) to give; 4) to grant or permit one. Didwmi is "to give" in general. Strong—a prolonged form of a primary verb(which is used as an alternate in most of the tenses); To give(used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection).
“Opportunity”—aformh—Noun Fem.—1) A place from which a movement or attack is made, a base of operations; 2) metaph. that by which endeavour is excited & from which it goes forth—2a) That which gives occasion & supplies matter for an undertaking, the incentive, 2b) The resources we avail ourselves of in attempting or performing anything.” Strong—A starting-point, i.e. figuratively--An opportunity. Used 7X.
“Boast”(kaucaomai)—kauchma—Noun Neuter—1) That of which one glories or can glory, matter or ground of glorying; 2) A glorying or boasting. Strong—A boast(properly, the object; by implication, the act) in a good or a bad sense. “Behalf”—uper—Preposition—1) In behalf of, for the sake of; 2) Over, beyond, more than. Strong—a primary preposition; “Over”, i.e. (with the genitive case)of place--Above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case--Superior to, more than.
“Have”—ecw—Present Active Subjunctive—1) To have, i.e. To hold—1a) To have(hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have(hold) possession of the mind(refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast, keep, to have or comprise or involve, to regard or consider or hold as; 2) To have i.e. Own, possess; 4) To hold one's self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to. Strong—a primary verb; To hold(used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possessions; ability, continuity, relation, or condition).
“Boast”(See kauchma)—kaucaomai—Present Middle/Passive Deponent Participle—1) To glory(whether with reason or without); 2) To glory on account of a thing; 3) To glory in a thing. Strong—To vaunt(in a good or a bad sense).
“Appearance”—proswpon—1) The face—1a) The front of the human head, 1b) Countenance, look; 2) The outward appearance of inanimate things. Strong—The front(as being towards view), i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication--Presence, person.
“Heart”—kardia—Noun Fem.—1) The heart—1a) That organ in the animal body which is the centre of the circulation of the blood, & hence was regarded as the seat of physical life, 1b) Denotes the centre of all physical & spiritual life—2b1) The soul or mind, as it is the fountain & seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, 2b2) Of the understanding, the faculty & seat of the intelligence, 2b3) Of the will & character, 2b4) Of the soul so far as it is affected & stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions, 1c) Of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate. Strong—prolonged from a primary kar(Latin, cor, "heart"); The heart, i.e. figuratively--The thoughts or feelings(mind); also by analogy--The middle.
Argumentation:
**Mat. 23:27-28—“Woe to you, scribes & Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones & all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy & lawlessness.”
God knows the heart, & judges the hearts of men:
**1Chron. 28:9—“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, & serve Him with a loyal heart & with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts & understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”
1Chron. 29:17—“I know also, my God, that You test the heart & have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; & now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.”
**Prov. 16:1-3—“The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.”
Prov. 21:2—“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.”
Prov. 15:8-9—The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.”
**Lk. 16:10-15—“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; & he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one & love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one & despise the other. You cannot serve God & mammon.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, & they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Jer. 17:7-10—“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.”[See Rev. 2:23]
Rev. 2:23—[To the church at Thyatira]—“I[Jesus] will kill her children with death, & all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds & hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”[see Jer. 17:10]
**Heb. 4:12-13—“For the word of God is living & powerful, & sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul & spirit, & of joints & marrow, & is a discerner of the thoughts & intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked & open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
**Mat. 28:18-20—“And Jesus came & spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven & on earth. “Go therefore & make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; & lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” “Amen.”
**God is not looking for so-called ‘Christian buddies’ in heaven or ‘friends of Christians.’ ‘Buddies’ & ‘friends’ of Christians do not go to heaven unless they are truly Christians!...True Christians are Brothers & Sisters rather than ‘buddies’ or ‘friends.’
Rom. 8:26-28—“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
**1Jn. 3:18-21—“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed & in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, & shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, & knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.”
Mat. 6:22-23—“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Gal. 5:13—“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Gal. 6:7-10—“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Illustration:
Fertilizer can be used to either grow healthy food OR used to make explosives!/OPPORTUNITY
Living on the coast—Some may say life here is too buggy, smelly(salt marsh), flat, sandy, humid, hot, etc. OR others may think it is a uniquely beautiful & healthful place!/OPPORTUNITY
Again: A pastor’s heart is not to answer the church’s enemies directly so much, but rather to have the church demonstrate such a love for God in Christ that they will uniformly dismiss any among them who are perpetrators of devilish thought & work! The lack of such attentions by the church is what hands Satan the power to splits churches!
Application:
?Are New OFFERs apparent in your New Creation?
?Your New Creation Significant?
?Is yours a truly New Creation or a Creation by your own hand?
5—A new creation is significant in its New...
SOUND INSANITY/Risk(5:13)
Explanation:(5:13)Risk
5:13—“For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.”
For someone to “be beside themselves” means there are two of them standing side-by-side conversing with one another as if they had lost their collective mind...to be crazy or nonsensical or better yet, ecstatic. In other words if you consider Paul(or any Christian then or now) crazy because of their relationship with God, then it is only because they are so totally given/surrendered to God & His work thru them. He is completely focused on that relationship above all else. It takes precedence in his every thought, work, & conversation.
“If Paul was zealous it was for God”—MNTC...To the chagrin of unbelievers.
On the other hand, if Paul(or any Christian then or now) is considered of “sound mind,” then that soundness is for the sake of those to whom we minister, or for the sake of those on the receiving end of our ministry. Our varying ministries being chosen by God Himself.
Our ecstasy(craziness) in Christ must have a firm factual basis. Otherwise we are lunatics with a loony message rather than the truth!
Regardless, all that Paul does is done fervently & soberly for the sake of God & God’s work(here, the Corinthian believers), as all Paul does is “for God” & “for you.”
Paul’s confidence(:6-8) is thereby understandable as it shines by means of personal zealousness as well as thru personal soundness/self-control.
“Paul disowns self-interest as a motive for any of his action...”—EBC
“Beside”—existhmi—1) To throw out of position, displace—1a) To amaze, to astonish, throw into wonderment, 1b) To be amazed, astounded, 1c) To be out of one's mind, besides one's self, insane. Strong—from ex [from, out(of place, time, or cause] & isthmi[to stand]; To put(stand) out of wits, i.e. Astound, or reflexively--Become astounded, insane.
“For God/To God/For the sake of God”—yeov—Noun Masc.—1) A god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities; 2) The Godhead, trinity—2a) God the Father, the first person in the trinity, 2b) Christ, the second person of the trinity, 2c) Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity; 3) Spoken of the only & true God—3a) Refers to the things of God, 3b) His counsels, interests, things due to him; 4) Whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way—4a) God's representative or vice-regent—4a1) Of magistrates & judges. Strong—of uncertain affinity; A deity, especially(with o, h, to)--The supreme Divinity; figuratively--A magistrate; by Hebraism--Very.
“Sound Mind”—swfronew—1) To be of sound mind—1a) To be in one's right mind, 1b) To exercise self control—1b1) To put a moderate estimate upon one's self, think of one's self soberly, 1b2) To curb one's passions. Strong—To be of sound mind, i.e. Sane, figuratively--Moderate. Used 6X.
From—swfrwn—Safe(sound) in mind, i.e. Self-controlled(moderate as to opinion or passion).
From—swzw—To save, i.e. Deliver or protect(literally or figuratively)—&—frhn—probably from an obsolete fraw phrao (to rein in or curb; compare frassw[To fence, enclose or block up]); The midrif(as a partition of the body), i.e. figuratively & by implication, of sympathy--The feelings(or sensitive nature; by extension [also in the plural]--The mind or cognitive faculties).
“For You”—umin—Pronoun—1)You. Strong—irregular dative case of umeiv; To(with or by) you.
Argumentation:
**Lk. 12:49-53—“I came to send fire on the earth, & how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, & how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, & two against three. Father will be divided against son & son against father, mother against daughter & daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law & daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Do sane people do this?...Of course they do! Was Jesus insane of course not! But He was both passionate & wise.
**2Tim. 2:3-7—“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, & may the Lord give you understanding in all things.”
Let’s go back to Acts 26:
**Acts 26:24-29—[Paul before Festus & King Agrippa]“Now as he[Paul] thus made his defense, Festus[Roman procurator/governor of Judea] said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth & reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost & altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
2Cor. 12:1-6—“It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions & revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- how he was caught up into Paradise & heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
**Lk. 21:5-19—“Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones & donations, He said, “These things which you see--the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ &, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. But when you hear of wars & commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, & kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, & famines & pestilences; & there will be fearful sights & great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you & persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues & prisons. You will be brought before kings & rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth & wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents & brothers, relatives & friends; & they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.
Illustration:
Just look at what people do in putting all their efforts into what they are doing both passionately & wisely/‘The Fish Dock’ in Closter, NJ’s website touts “Pure-Fresh-Fish”—“supplying fresh fish from the pristine waters of Iceland & other high quality seafood sourced locally.”/It is a new family business begun in the summer of 2015—They sell fresh Icelandic(& other) fish, which they pick up in New York City, having arrived directly from Icelandic Air shipments, a few times every week/None of the family members involved had run a food business before/The son(my son-in-law) has a Masters in International Business/The father has worked in industrial electrical applications/The step-mom has been involved in real estate/My daughter is a mom & has bachelor’s degrees in Psychology & English/They’re all crazy!...or so it would seem/But their combined expertise has caused their business to thrive!/SOUND INSANITY/Risk
TV shows—‘Tanked’—‘Treehouse Masters’—‘Flip or Flop’—All of those involved in the various enterprises are passionate(& some a little looney) yet thorough & precise in their various trades/SOUND INSANITY
Application:
?Is a New SOUND INSANITY apparent in your New Creation?
?Your New Creation Significant?
?Is yours a truly New Creation or a Creation by your own hand?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Cleveland, NC's reinvention & transformation.
Action:
A new creation is significant in its New...
4. OPPORTUNITY(:12)
5. SOUND INSANITY/Risk(:13)
1. PLEASURE(5:9)
2. RECEPTION(5:10)
3. PERSUASION(5:11)
Pts. 4-5 presented 01/31/2016pm to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
