Introduction

Welcome, brothers and sisters in Christ, to this blessed gathering where we share in the wisdom of the Word and the fellowship of our faith. We are here today to delve into the profound and life-changing truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

In this verse, we find the heart of our faith and the promise of our future. It is a promise that echoes in our hearts and resonates in our souls. It is a promise that, in Christ, we are made new. In Christ, we are not the people we once were, burdened by our past and our sins. No, in Christ, we are reborn, recreated, renewed.

Becoming a New Person in Christ

When we talk about the transformation that comes from being in Christ, we're not talking about a superficial change. This is talking about a deep, fundamental change in who we are. It's about being reborn, not of flesh and blood, but of the Spirit. The Lord makes us into a new creation.

This transformation begins when we accept Christ into our hearts. When we confess our sins and acknowledge Him as our Lord and Savior, we are born again. The old self, with its sinful nature and its bondage to the past, is crucified with Christ. In its place, a new self emerges, created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. This new self is not a better version of the old self. It's a completely new creation. The old has gone, the new has come. This is the miracle of regeneration, the miracle of new birth. The old man dies and the new man is born again in Christ Jesus.

There is an immediate change in version but the process of sanctification (dying more and more unto sin, and living more and more unto righteousness) in one’s life is ongoing. As we walk with Christ, as we grow in our relationship with Him, we are continually being transformed into His likeness. This process of sanctification involves dying to self, letting go of our old ways, and embracing the ways of Christ. It involves surrendering our will to His, letting Him take control of our lives. But as we do so, we find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

This transformation also affects our relationships with others. As we are transformed into the likeness of Christ, we begin to see others through His eyes. We begin to love as He loves, forgive as He forgives, serve as He serves. We become ambassadors of His love and grace in a world that desperately needs it.

This transformation also has eternal implications. As we are transformed into the likeness of Christ, we become citizens of His eternal kingdom. We become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. We have the hope of eternal life, the hope of a future with Him that will never end.

Believing in the Power of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the very breath of God, breathed into us, filling us with divine life ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO