Transcending Distinctions: The New Creation in Christ

 

Summary

In this message, I emphasize the profound truth that in the realm of Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision holds any value. This is a radical departure from the Jewish tradition that placed significant importance on circumcision as a sign of the covenant with God. However, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that these external rituals and markers are irrelevant when it comes to salvation. The same applies to the Gentiles, who might boast in their lack of circumcision or their intellectual achievements. In Christ, all these distinctions are abolished, and what truly matters is becoming a new creation.

The essence of the Gospel is that it transcends all human distinctions and achievements. Whether it is the religious rituals we have undergone or the intellectual prowess we boast of, none of these can bring us closer to God. Salvation is not about what has been done to us or what we have achieved; it is about becoming a new creation in Christ. This new creation is not an addition or improvement to our old selves but a complete transformation, a new birth that God brings about through faith in Jesus Christ.

This message challenges both the religious and the secular mindsets. The religious person might rely on rituals like baptism or church attendance, thinking these make them right with God. The secular person might rely on their intellect or moral actions, believing these make them good. Yet, both are equally irrelevant in the face of the Gospel. The only thing that avails is a new creation, a transformation that God alone can bring about.

This transformation is not something we can achieve by our efforts or intellect. It is a divine act of creation, making something out of nothing. Just as God created the world out of nothing, He creates a new life in us when we come to Him in faith. This is the glorious message of the Gospel: that through Christ's death and resurrection, we are reconciled to God and made new.

Key Takeaways:

- In Christ, all human distinctions, whether religious or intellectual, are abolished. Salvation is not about what has been done to us or what we have achieved; it is about becoming a new creation. [12:32]

- The Gospel challenges both religious and secular mindsets. Neither religious rituals nor intellectual achievements can bring us closer to God. What matters is the transformation that God brings about through faith in Jesus Christ. [16:40]

- Becoming a new creation is not an addition or improvement to our old selves but a complete transformation. It is a divine act of creation, making something out of nothing, just as God created the world. [30:25]

- The essence of the Gospel is that it transcends all human distinctions and achievements. The only thing that avails is a new creation, a transformation that God alone can bring about. [28:50]

- This transformation is not something we can achieve by our efforts or intellect. It is a divine act of creation, making something out of nothing, and it is the glorious message of the Gospel. [32:19]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:56] - The Irrelevance of Circumcision
[12:32] - A New Realm in Christ
[13:32] - The Gospel's Universal Call
[14:14] - The Misunderstanding of Rituals
[15:14] - Faith Over Rituals
[16:40] - The Fallacy of Religious Reliance
[17:20] - The Irrelevance of Birth and Rituals
[18:11] - Equal Opportunity in Christ
[19:08] - The Irrelevance of Morality
[20:24] - The Obstacle of Religion
[21:28] - The Irrelevance of External Acts
[22:13] - The Fallacy of Intellectual Reliance
[23:06] - The Limitations of Human Effort
[28:50] - The Necessity of a New Creation
[32:19] - The Glorious Message of the Gospel

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 6:15 - "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision holds any value in Christ Jesus? [12:32]

2. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when one becomes a new creation in Christ? [30:25]

3. According to the sermon, why are religious rituals and intellectual achievements considered irrelevant in the realm of the Gospel? [16:40]

4. What examples does the sermon provide to illustrate the irrelevance of human distinctions in the context of salvation? [19:08]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of becoming a new creation challenge both religious and secular mindsets, according to the sermon? [16:40]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that relying on religious rituals or intellectual achievements can be a stumbling block to true faith? [19:25]

3. How does the sermon explain the process of becoming a new creation as a divine act of creation, and what implications does this have for personal transformation? [30:25]

4. What does the sermon imply about the role of faith in the transformation into a new creation, and how does this relate to the idea of grace? [32:19]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any religious rituals or intellectual achievements you have relied on to feel closer to God? How might you shift your focus to becoming a new creation in Christ? [16:40]

2. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is not about what has been done to us or what we have achieved. How can you apply this understanding to your daily walk with God? [12:32]

3. Consider the idea that becoming a new creation is a complete transformation. What areas of your life do you feel need this divine transformation, and how can you invite God into that process? [30:25]

4. The sermon challenges both religious and secular mindsets. How can you ensure that your faith is not based on external markers but on a genuine relationship with Christ? [19:08]

5. Think about a time when you relied on your own efforts or intellect in your spiritual journey. How can you practice surrendering these to God and trusting in His transformative power? [32:19]

6. How can you encourage others in your community to understand and embrace the concept of becoming a new creation in Christ, rather than relying on external distinctions? [28:50]

7. Identify one specific way you can live out the truth that in Christ, all human distinctions are abolished. How can this perspective change the way you interact with others this week? [12:32]

Devotional

Day 1: The Abolition of Human Distinctions
In Christ, all human distinctions, whether religious or intellectual, are abolished. Salvation is not about what has been done to us or what we have achieved; it is about becoming a new creation. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision holds any value in the realm of Christ Jesus. This is a radical departure from Jewish tradition, which placed significant importance on circumcision as a sign of the covenant with God. However, these external rituals and markers are irrelevant when it comes to salvation. The same applies to the Gentiles, who might boast in their lack of circumcision or their intellectual achievements. In Christ, all these distinctions are abolished, and what truly matters is becoming a new creation. [12:32]

Galatians 6:15 (ESV): "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation."

Reflection: What distinctions or achievements do you find yourself relying on for your sense of worth? How can you shift your focus to becoming a new creation in Christ today?


Day 2: The Gospel's Challenge to Mindsets
The Gospel challenges both religious and secular mindsets. Neither religious rituals nor intellectual achievements can bring us closer to God. What matters is the transformation that God brings about through faith in Jesus Christ. The religious person might rely on rituals like baptism or church attendance, thinking these make them right with God. The secular person might rely on their intellect or moral actions, believing these make them good. Yet, both are equally irrelevant in the face of the Gospel. The only thing that avails is a new creation, a transformation that God alone can bring about. [16:40]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself relying on religious rituals or intellectual achievements? How can you allow God to transform your mindset today?


Day 3: The Nature of Becoming a New Creation
Becoming a new creation is not an addition or improvement to our old selves but a complete transformation. It is a divine act of creation, making something out of nothing, just as God created the world. This new creation is not something we can achieve by our efforts or intellect. It is a divine act of creation, making something out of nothing. Just as God created the world out of nothing, He creates a new life in us when we come to Him in faith. This is the glorious message of the Gospel: that through Christ's death and resurrection, we are reconciled to God and made new. [30:25]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What old aspects of your life do you need to let go of to fully embrace the new creation God wants to make in you?


Day 4: The Essence of the Gospel
The essence of the Gospel is that it transcends all human distinctions and achievements. The only thing that avails is a new creation, a transformation that God alone can bring about. Salvation is not about what has been done to us or what we have achieved; it is about becoming a new creation in Christ. This new creation is not an addition or improvement to our old selves but a complete transformation, a new birth that God brings about through faith in Jesus Christ. This message challenges both the religious and the secular mindsets. [28:50]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: How can you live out the essence of the Gospel in your daily life, focusing on God's transformative power rather than your own achievements?


Day 5: The Divine Act of Transformation
This transformation is not something we can achieve by our efforts or intellect. It is a divine act of creation, making something out of nothing, and it is the glorious message of the Gospel. Just as God created the world out of nothing, He creates a new life in us when we come to Him in faith. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we are reconciled to God and made new. This is the glorious message of the Gospel: that through Christ's death and resurrection, we are reconciled to God and made new. [32:19]

Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to allow God to transform you into a new creation, relying on His power rather than your own efforts?

Quotes


It's all inclusive it includes everything it includes the whole world he says look here when you come to this realm I don't care what you've got it is is absolutely irrelevant it doesn't make the slightest difference at all now I've sometimes put that in this particular way and manner this is the only realm that I'm aware of in which a men's antecedence and previous history is rarely quite irrelevant and doesn't matter at all. [00:12:22]

The moment you come through those doors into this place here where Christ Jesus is and where we're in the realm of the Gospel nothing of that that matters at all it's quite irrelevant circumcision and uncircumcision in other words as a preacher of the Gospel I'm not at all interested to know the details of people's lives why not well I know that the same is true of all of them I know that everybody's a sinner and it doesn't matter very much what form the cinetics it matters socially but it doesn't matter spiritually. [00:13:23]

The Jews had got into the bad habit of thinking that it was circumcision that put you right with God whereas if you go back and read the story of the origin of circumcision you will see that it was a sign that was given to Abraham not to make him right but because he was right, he didn't become a man of God by means of circumcision he was given the sign and the Seal of circumcision because he had believed God and because he was righteous and justified in the sight of God as the result of that Faith. [00:15:09]

Baptism is neither here nor there in Christ Jesus you see this is something done to us and there are so many who think that that is what makes them Christian you ask them you a Christian yes I am a Christian you say why you say you're well I was baptized when I was an infant brought up in a Christian family taken to church and they think that that makes them Christians verily they believe that now it is to such people that the Apostle says circumcision availeth nothing nothing that is done to us by others avails at all at this point it's irrelevant. [00:16:38]

It matters not to the slightest extent whether you have always gone to a place of worship or whether this is the first time in your life you've ever been to a place of worship from the standpoint of Salvation it makes no difference there is an equal opportunity for all for in Christ Jesus none of these things matter very well none of the things that are done to us but also we have to realize that none of the things that we do ourselves are of any value here either. [00:18:55]

When you come face to face with God when you come into this realm of Christ Jesus your morality avails nothing it is completely irrelevant so that all your morality all your goodness all your benevolence all your kind deeds and actions they're completely irrelevant if you rely upon these they are the greatest inance and the greatest stumbling block in Christ Jesus these things don't count religion doesn't count isn't this an extraordinary thing to have to say. [00:19:57]

Religion Church attendance church membership prayers fasting taking communion these things that people do the Apostle says that in Christ Jesus they don't matter they don't count at all what says somebody do you mean to say that the fact that I've always been religious makes no difference I say this that may be the very greatest Obstacle of all to your becoming a Christian because you're resting on it you're relying upon it you think that this puts you right with God. [00:20:58]

No outward act can make a man a Christian and we mustn't rely upon any of these externals so all our religion and all these things attach to it we must realize when we come here are completely irrelevant unless we know the Lord Jesus Christ and are truly in him but I want to show you also because the Apostle puts the other side as well there circumcision there is religion there is the position of the Jew in the Old Testament or the religious person at the present time. [00:21:48]

The gospel I say is something that is all together above and beyond your circumcision or uncircumcision are equally irrelevant what matters well he says a new creature a new creation a new birth a new start a new beginning how do you become a Christian you become a Christian first by becoming a blank how do you become a Christian you become a Christian by becoming a fool how' you become a Christian you become a Christian by becoming nothing. [00:29:27]

A new creation you see is not an addition to what you have already that's not a creation that's an addition creation means making something out of nothing that's how God made the world he made it out of nothing it isn't creation if there was anything there creation is producing something out of nothing nothing at all and the New Testament way of describing the Christian is that he is a new creation there was nothing there knock out the circumcision knock out the uncircumcision take away everything there's nothing there. [00:30:20]

Christianity doesn't modify my ideas or add to what I've already got it's absolutely new it's a new way of thinking it's a new way of feeling it's a new way of acting a new creation it brings into being something that wasn't there at all now I said at the beginning that the great apostle was very vehement that he uses these strong Expressions right through the whole of this epistle especially at the beginning and at the end why does he do so well I can put put it very simply to you. [00:32:23]

The Son of God came into the world in order that he might die on that cross and thereby absolve us of the guilt of our sins and reconcile us to God in order that God might give us this new birth might make new men and women of us might give us a new nature might put a new principle of life into US Christianity doesn't modify my ideas or add to what I've already got it's absolutely new. [00:32:59]

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Transcript
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