Transformative Power of Being a New Creation in Christ
Summary
In the fifth chapter of the Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, we find a profound truth: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This statement encapsulates the transformative power of the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that Christianity is not about modifying our circumstances but about transforming us from within. This transformation is not a result of human effort or moral living but is a divine act of God, a new creation.
The world often seeks to change external circumstances, hoping to find peace and security. However, the Christian message offers a different approach. It changes us, enabling us to face life's challenges, including death, with confidence and hope. This transformation is radical and profound, making us new creatures with a new outlook on life. It is not about adding religious practices to our lives but about a complete revolution in our being.
Paul's own life exemplifies this transformation. Once a persecutor of Christians, he became one of the faith's greatest advocates. This change was not due to his own efforts but was a result of God's intervention. As Christians, we are called to embrace this new life, allowing God to work in us and through us. This new creation changes our perspective, enabling us to see the world, life, and even death differently.
The Christian faith is not about seeking shortcuts or merely adopting religious slogans. It requires a deep commitment to the teachings of the Bible and a willingness to let God transform us. This transformation leads to a new way of thinking, where we no longer view life through the lens of the flesh but through the Spirit. It is a call to live with the assurance that, regardless of what happens in this world, our eternal future is secure in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Christianity offers a profound transformation, not by changing circumstances but by changing us from within. This transformation is a divine act, making us new creatures with a new outlook on life. [15:06]
- The Christian message is distinct from the world's philosophies and religions, which often focus on external changes. Instead, it offers an internal change that enables us to face life's challenges with confidence. [16:04]
- This transformation is not achieved through human effort or moral living but is a result of God's intervention. It is a new creation, a radical change that makes us new beings. [22:00]
- The Apostle Paul's life exemplifies this transformation, showing that it is not about adding religious practices but about a complete revolution in our being. [34:03]
- As Christians, we are called to embrace this new life, allowing God to work in us and through us. This new creation changes our perspective, enabling us to see the world, life, and even death differently. [43:56]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to the Text
[00:28] - The Urgency of the Christian Message
[01:07] - Facing Life's Ultimate Questions
[02:12] - Christianity's Unique Answer
[03:35] - Triumph Over Life's Challenges
[04:07] - The Call to Reconciliation
[05:07] - Mastery of Life and Death
[06:39] - The Christian Way
[07:54] - The Right Approach to the Gospel
[09:09] - The Necessity of Belief
[10:56] - The New Creation
[12:01] - The Radical Change in Perspective
[15:06] - Transformation from Within
[16:04] - The World's Approach vs. Christianity
[22:00] - God's Role in Our Transformation
[34:03] - Paul's Example of Transformation
[43:56] - A New Perspective on Life and Death
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Observation Questions:
1. What does the phrase "new creature" imply about the nature of transformation in Christ according to 2 Corinthians 5:17?
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between the world's approach to change and the Christian approach? ([16:04])
3. In what ways did the Apostle Paul's life exemplify the transformation described in 2 Corinthians 5:17? ([34:03])
4. What role does God play in the transformation of a believer, as discussed in the sermon? ([22:00])
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being a "new creation" challenge the idea of self-improvement through human effort? ([22:00])
2. What does it mean to have a "new outlook on life" as a result of being in Christ, and how might this affect a believer's daily decisions? ([43:56])
3. How does the sermon suggest that a Christian's perspective on life and death is transformed? ([43:56])
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Christian message is distinct from other world philosophies and religions? ([16:04])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to change your circumstances instead of allowing God to change you. How might embracing the idea of being a "new creation" alter your approach to challenges? ([16:04])
2. Consider an area of your life where you feel stuck or unchanged. How can you invite God to work in that area to bring about transformation? ([22:00])
3. How can you cultivate a "new outlook on life" in your daily routine? Identify one specific change you can make this week to align your perspective more closely with the teachings of Christ. ([43:56])
4. Think about a situation where you relied on human effort to achieve a goal. How can you shift your reliance from self-effort to God's power in similar situations in the future? ([22:00])
5. How does the idea of being a "new creation" influence your view of your identity and purpose? What steps can you take to live out this new identity in your community? ([43:56])
6. Identify a specific fear or challenge you are currently facing. How can the assurance of your eternal future in Christ provide you with confidence and hope in this situation? ([43:56])
7. Reflect on how you view others. How can the transformation in Christ help you see people through a lens of grace and love rather than judgment or competition? ([39:12])
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation from Within
Christianity offers a profound transformation, not by changing circumstances but by changing us from within. This transformation is a divine act, making us new creatures with a new outlook on life. The world often seeks to change external circumstances, hoping to find peace and security. However, the Christian message offers a different approach. It changes us, enabling us to face life's challenges, including death, with confidence and hope. This transformation is radical and profound, making us new creatures with a new outlook on life. It is not about adding religious practices to our lives but about a complete revolution in our being. [15:06]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel stuck in old patterns? How can you invite God to transform this area from within today?
Day 2: The World's Approach vs. Christianity
The Christian message is distinct from the world's philosophies and religions, which often focus on external changes. Instead, it offers an internal change that enables us to face life's challenges with confidence. While the world may offer temporary solutions or distractions, Christianity provides a lasting transformation that equips us to handle life's difficulties with a sense of peace and assurance. This internal change is not about self-improvement or moral living but about a deep, spiritual renewal that comes from God. [16:04]
Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself relying on external changes for peace? How can you shift your focus to the internal transformation offered by Christ?
Day 3: God's Role in Our Transformation
This transformation is not achieved through human effort or moral living but is a result of God's intervention. It is a new creation, a radical change that makes us new beings. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that Christianity is not about modifying our circumstances but about transforming us from within. This transformation is a divine act of God, a new creation. It is not something we can achieve on our own but requires us to surrender to God's work in our lives. [22:00]
Titus 3:4-6 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are trying to change through your own efforts? How can you invite God to take over and transform this area?
Day 4: Paul's Example of Transformation
The Apostle Paul's life exemplifies this transformation, showing that it is not about adding religious practices but about a complete revolution in our being. Once a persecutor of Christians, Paul became one of the faith's greatest advocates. This change was not due to his own efforts but was a result of God's intervention. As Christians, we are called to embrace this new life, allowing God to work in us and through us. This new creation changes our perspective, enabling us to see the world, life, and even death differently. [34:03]
Galatians 1:13-15 (ESV): "For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace..."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant change in your life. How did God's intervention play a role in that transformation?
Day 5: A New Perspective on Life and Death
As Christians, we are called to embrace this new life, allowing God to work in us and through us. This new creation changes our perspective, enabling us to see the world, life, and even death differently. The Christian faith is not about seeking shortcuts or merely adopting religious slogans. It requires a deep commitment to the teachings of the Bible and a willingness to let God transform us. This transformation leads to a new way of thinking, where we no longer view life through the lens of the flesh but through the Spirit. [43:56]
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How does your perspective on life and death change when you view it through the lens of being a new creation in Christ? What steps can you take to align your daily life with this new perspective?
Quotes
The Apostle you notice starts off with this great and resounding and assured statement we know that if the Earthly House of this T of this hour Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God and house not made with hens Eternal in the heavens now there as we were trying to see last Sunday night is the great statement the great offer of the Christian gospel and uh therefore the challenge which we all confront as we consider this message this gospel is just that what is our position as we look at and contemplate the possible dissolving of the Earthly House of this hour Tabernacle. [00:57:44]
The Christian faith to enable us to face that question if our Earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved and it may be it may be before we realize where are we do we know where we are what have we got what would our whole situation be now that's the business of Christianity is to bring us to face that very question I was establishing the point that it is the only teaching that rarely does that it is certainly the only teaching that has an adequate answer to that question. [01:32:44]
Here is a message that can enable one to face the end of all things and still to be more than conqueror to be triumphant to be able to look at it at its worst and say we know but even if that does happen it's all right it doesn't upset us it doesn't mean that we' miscalculated it doesn't indeed make any difference to us at all in any vital sense sense or manner now that is the proposition of the Christian faith. [02:11:20]
The Christian method is very different from that it shows you exactly how to arrive at this position in which you can make this aeration that you know that even if your Earthly House of this cabinal we disol you a building of God and house not made with hens Eternal in the heavens very well how does one get there well here's the answer in in its essence you can only get there in the Christian way you can only get there by believing what the scriptures teach. [06:12:12]
There are no shortcuts in Christianity in other words every blessing and every benefit that is offered in the New Testament is always something that results from the belief of and the acceptance of the faith and of the teaching you can never get the deduction without working out the argument you can never arrive at the result without going through the process now this is something that should be obvious but it very clearly isn't obvious. [08:36:80]
Christianity is not an addition to life it's a revolution in the life it's the ending of something and the beginning of something new it is to use the very term in our text tonight a new creation you see the Apostle here is astonished at the whole thing that's what he's trying to bring out he's amazed even at himself because of the profound and the radical character of this change that has taken place in him. [31:03:20]
The Christian message is entirely and allog together different from everything else that is known in this world this evening if any man be in Christ he is a new creature a new creation old things are passed away behold all things are become new now then I say the principle that is taught there is this that this Christian message this Christian position the Christian attitude the position of a man who can say yes I know that even if I've got to die it's all right. [10:53:48]
This is something which is done to us by God and not by ourselves I needn't emphasize that these are fundamental points need I see these are preliminary considerations if you go wrong on any one of these you're you'll never arrive at this destination you'll never know how to face death and Conquer it this I say is something that is done to us by God and not by ourselves If any man be in Christ he is a new creature a new creation. [22:12:79]
The Apostle is so anxious that we shouldn't go wrong about this that he says it more than once in this very chapter here he says it in verse 5 now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God who also hath given to us the earnest of the spirit he says you see this is my position in this Tabernacle we do grown being burdened not for that we would be clothed but clothed upon that mortality might be swallowed up of life. [22:51:20]
The Christian is not only a good man he is a good man but he's something much more than that he's a new man entirely new there is something there that wasn't there before there's a new beginning he's a new creature he's got a new nature inside him it isn't an improvement of the old it isn't a modification it isn't an addition to it is a new new nature there is a principle in him of life and of power and of understanding that wasn't there before. [31:50:88]
The moment a man becomes a Christian everything's different a new softness in the heavens a new greenness in the grass every tint and every color is the mark of the Creator I think I've told you before of the two men who went on holiday to the country and stood at a gate looking at a field of brightened wheat and the one said what a fine crop and the other said Well Done God that's it oh the man who's got a Christian nature a new nature he not only thinks in a different way because of that he sees everything differently. [44:11:20]
The Apostle himself in writing to the Galatians says I live yet not I you remember it don't you Galatians 2 at the end I live yet not I well what is it all Christ liveth in me and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me my friend have you been trying to make yourself a Christian have you been saying oh I wish I could say I know that if the Earthly House of this my Tabernacle were dissolved I've got a building I wish I'd give anything to get I'm going to try to get there you'll never get there you've got to be made a new you've got to be born again. [34:31:20]
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