Text:
2Corinthians 5:16-21:
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Theme:
It’s a New Thing
Introduction:
- Second Epistle to the Church in Corinth, Second Corinthians, was written by the Apostle Paul.
- Written in reaction to the good report that Paul got from Titus and Timothy concerning the church in Corinth.
- Probably written at Philippi, or, as some think, Thessalonica, early in the year A.D. 58, and was sent to Corinth by Titus.
- Addresses not only to the church in Corinth, but also to the saints in all Achaia, i.e., in Athens, Cenchrea, and other cities in Greece.
- This epistle, it has been well said, shows the individuality of the apostle more than any other.
- The epistle can be described as having the distinct sections. (Easton’s Bible Dictionary)
- (Chapters 1-7) Paul speaks of his spiritual labours and course of life, and expresses his warm affection toward the Corinthians.
- (Chapters 8-9) Paul gives specific directions regarding the collection that was to be made for their poor brethren in Judea.
- (Chapters 10-13) Paul defends his own apostolic claim, and justifies himself from the charges and insinuations of the false teacher and his adherents.
- Birth inaugurates the newness of life that is experienced little by little through life:
- New life
- New sight
- New experiences
Body:
We are new when we are born again:
New life
New sight
New experiences
2Corinthians 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.”
Reborn
Rejuvenated
1Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
Colossians 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
1Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
We are new when we are broken and made over again:
Hebrews 8:6, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”
Psalms 51:8, “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”
Psalms 98:1, “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.”
Is it really new?
Ecclesiastes 1:9, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”
From the Divine perspective!
He already knew. Omniscience
He had already done. Omnipotence
He had already been. Omnipresence
For us, it is new!
Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
Conclusion:
- He can bring NEWNESS to an old life
- Tired of…failing
- Tired of…falling
- Tired of…wining
- Tired of…wailing
- Tired of…living
- Tired of…losing
- HE CAN MAKE IT NEW
- Old folks said “I looked at my hands and they look new. I looked at my feet and they did too!”
- He gave me a…
- NEW song
- NEW walk
- NEW talk……..
IT’S A NEW THING!!
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