A New Creation, 2 Co 5.17

Introduction

Lessons from 'a new thing’ - Isaiah 43.19

Abraham: The promises of God (doing things his way) create a legacy far exceeding anything we can achieve by our own efforts

Rahab: When you get an inkling of God's movements, follow along and fit in, even though it might mean you lose your house!

Elijah: Get refreshed by God - don't give up

Daniel: Impact in a culture opposed to your faith

Esther: Don't underestimate the impact one person can have (with support)

Nehemiah: Blessed are those who mourn

Peter: Jesus has vision for flawed followers 

Samaritan woman: Jesus transforms our future

2 Cor 5.16-17 - what does this mean? Also Galatians 6.15



1. God Recreates Creation, Rev 21:1-5

A. God has a master-plan

Creation-Fall-Covenant-Law-Messiah-New Covenant-New 'Law' (new command, 'but I say')-New Creation (new people)-New Heaven and Earth



B. God has an inspiring vision

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Revelation 21:1)

“And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”” (Revelation 21:5)



2. Jesus Models the New Creation

Living the kingdom life - modelling it to us (inspiration to us)



A. New teaching, (Mark 1:27; Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44)

‘But I tell you…’



B. New command (John 13:34-35)

‘Love one another as….’



C. New relationships (John 15.15)

Friendship with Jesus and abba God - joyful obedience

With people - marginalised, hurting

Illustration: Jesus at the home of Simon the Leper, Mark 14.3-9

Being a new creation means being inappropriate in this creation

An inappropriate location - leper’s house

An inappropriate person - woman present

An inappropriate extravagance - alabaster, expensive perfume

An inappropriate gesture - shattered

An inappropriate identification - High Priest (like Aaron), King (like David), Prophet (like Elisha)



3. We are a New Creation

A. New relationships

With God as Father

With the lost as ambassadors

OC - lepers to priest. Jesus reverses this. Takes cleanness to the leper.

OC - go to temple in Jerusalem to seek God. Jesus reverses this. Takes ‘temple’ and presence of God to lepers and others.

With one another as family

We go ‘to’ people

We go to those who need us

We pay a high ‘cost’



B. New life,

The ‘full’ life, John 10.10 - this is discipleship, a life lived after Jesus

AIM programme — “Spiritual Life”

Our access is the death of Jesus, (Romans 6:1-11)



Conclusion

Call to explore the theme of 'a new creation', leading to 'a new thing'

Link to Lord's Supper - Prayer



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God bless, Malcolm