Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of Christ. It's a joy to see each and every one of your smiling faces here today, ready to share in the Word of God.

Before we get started, let's just take a moment to read the Scripture we're going to be talking about today. It's from 2 Corinthians 5:17, and it says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Isn't that a wonderful promise, folks? That no matter what our past may look like, in Christ, we're made brand new.

A.W. Tozer once said, "The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ, the very things he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him."

Isn't that something? It's not about us trying to perfect ourselves, but looking to Christ, the perfect One. And as we look to Him, as we enter into a relationship with Him, that's when the real change happens. That's when the old is gone, and the new comes.

We're going to be talking about this today - what it means to experience a total change in life, how we find our direction through salvation, and what it looks like to enter into a relationship with Christ.

But before we do that, let's bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the opportunity to gather together as Your family. We thank You for Your Word, and the promise of new life in You. As we talk about these things today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand Your truth. Help us to see You more clearly, to love You more dearly, and to follow You more nearly, day by day. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Alright, friends, let's get into it.

A Total Change in Life

When we consider the idea of change, it's often seen as something gradual, something that happens over time. We think about the changing of the seasons, the growth of a child, the evolution of technology. But the change that we're talking about here, the change that comes when we enter into a relationship with Christ, it's not gradual. It's immediate. It's total. It's like flipping a switch. You see, when we accept Christ as our Savior, we're not just signing up for a self-improvement course. We're not just agreeing to try a little harder, to be a little better. No, we're being made new. The old is gone, the new is here. That's a total change.

Not something we can do on our own: It's not about us trying harder, or being better. It's about Christ. It's about His work in us. It's about His grace, His love, His power. And this change, it's not just about our behavior. It's not just about what we do. It's about who we are. It's about our identity. In Christ, we're not just improved versions of our old selves. We're new creations.

But what does this new creation look like? What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ?

First: Being a new creation in Christ means that we're forgiven. Our past mistakes, our sins, they're wiped clean. They're not held against us anymore. We're not defined by them. We're defined by Christ.

Second: Being a new creation in Christ means that we're loved. We're not just tolerated by God. We're not just put up with. We're loved. Deeply, passionately, unconditionally.

Third: Being a new creation in Christ means that we're empowered. We're not left to struggle on our own. We're not left to fight our battles alone. We're given the power of the Holy Spirit. We're given the strength to overcome, the courage to stand firm, the wisdom to make right choices.

Fourth: Being a new creation in Christ means that we're secure. We're not left to wonder about our future. We're not left to worry about what comes next. We're given the promise of eternal life. We're given the assurance of a home in heaven.

It's available to all of us: It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter where you've been. It doesn't matter what you've done. In Christ, you can be made new. You can experience a total change in life.

Direction Through Salvation

As we continue to reflect on the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17, we find ourselves drawn to the idea of direction through salvation ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO