July 5, 2015
Evening Service

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.

·         Paul has been “reasoning together” with the Corinthian church trying to motivate them to accept this gospel message that Isaiah prophesied about. 

·         In II Cor. 4, he spoke of the ministry he had been given of preaching Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior.  He spoke of the new “eternal” perspective all Christians are given of seeing this life as temporary and to keep our eyes fixed on the true reality of our eternal home in heaven.

·         In chapter 5, he reveals to us that we all “groan earnestly” for that time in which that reality of a “new” body and heaven come to pass. 

·         He also “reasons together” that each of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to answer for the things we have done and the choices we have made.  He said knowing that judgement is coming and the “terror of the Lord” he persuades men to accept the invitation Christ has given for “whosoever will.” 

 

2Co 5:14-15  For the love of Christ constrains us, judging this, that if one died for all, then all died;  (15)  and He died for all, that the living ones may live no more to themselves, but to Him who died for them and having been raised.

·         The gospel message proclaims that Jesus’ death was a result of the judgment we deserved as a sinner.  He took all of our punishment upon Himself and paid the price of death for us all.  In return, He simply asks us to die out to ourselves and live for the One who died and bought us this great salvation.

·         It is in that dying to ourselves that we become a “New Creation,” as he speaks of in verse 17.

 

2Co 5:17 So that if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

·         We are going to look at this promise of transformation a little closer tonight.  First, the process begins with us being “in Christ.”

 

Gal 3:27 For as many as were baptized into Christ, you put on Christ.

·         It is our hearing and receiving the gospel message that leads us to a point of repentance which is a time of decision.   We are brought to a point that we are tired of our “old selves” and want something “new” through Christ.  After repentance, it is through baptism that we consummate our relationship with Christ by entering the waters of baptism.  Baptism is an act of outward obedience that displays an inward desire to change.  We want something new.

·         It is the physical act of being submerged under water that we experience the spiritual death and resurrection that precedes and leads to out “new” life.

 

 

 

Rom 6:3-6  Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?  (4)  Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father; even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (5)  For if we have been joined together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection;  (6)  knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin.

·         We have joined Christ in His burial and we now join Him in His resurrection.  Our “old” sinful self is crucified with Him on the cross and is done away with. The “New creation” arise from the waters, no longer a slave to sin, but now a servant of Christ just as Paul stated in 2 Cor. 5:15.

·          Paul challenged us in the Roman letter to:

 

Rom 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

·         We are to be living sacrifices (not dead ones) that are “transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  The Spirit will help you to see things in a whole “new perspective” that will enable you to make changes in your life to be that “living sacrifice” that is “good and pleasing and perfect will of God.”

·         Paul explained to us in the Colossian letter like this:

 

Col 3:1-11  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.  (2)  Be mindful of things above, not on things on the earth.  (3)  For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.  (4)  When Christ our Life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.  (5)  Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry),  (6)  on account of which things' sake the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience,  (7)  among whom you also once walked, when you lived in these.  (8)  But now also put off all these things: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, shameful speech out of your mouth.  (9)  Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds  (10)  and having put on the new, having been renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,  (11)  where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave or freeman, but Christ is all things in all.

·         It is by this knowledge that comes from the scriptures that we know exactly what parts of our “old self” need to go. He now tells us the things that need to take their place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Col 3:12-17  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender feelings of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering,  (13)  forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone has a complaint against any. As Christ forgave you, so also you do.  (14)  And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.  (15)  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also are called in one body, and be thankful.  (16)  Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  (17)  And everything, whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

·         The “New Creation” that we become is by the power of the Holy Spirit and our willingness to yield to His guidance.  Verse 17 sums it up very well:

·         We become yielded vessels ready and willing to be used in whatever manner God sees fit.  He is the Potter and we are the clay.  He will mold us into what He wants us to be, that “New Creation.”

·         Surrender yourself to Him and allow Him to do what He does best, create.

 

 

Lord may we all be willing and yielded vessels to the Spirit’s control and allow You to mold us into the image You desire.