Sermons / 信息

Introduction

1. It’s so common we hear this saying (especially in quarrel): I have known you wrongly! (Do we also say that?)Sin 

2. Do not evaluate others from a human point of view

   • Paul had thought of Christ from a human point of view before he met with the resurrected Christ. He didn’t believe Christ was the promised Messiah from God.

   • New creation in Christ does not think of others from a human point of view.

   • Christians are my brothers and sisters in the God’s family, treating one another truthfully and loving one another. Non-Christians are made by God in His own image, and are my prospects for pleading to be reconciled to God. They are my opportunities to serve God.

New Creation in Christ

1. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

   • The spiritual life which is dead because of sin is revived by the Spirit (reborn).

   • God no longer counts our trespasses against us, our sins are forgiven, and become His righteousness. We are reconciled to God, become His children, having eternal lives and are forever in His presence . 

   • The old-selves lived in self-centredness for themselves, but the new creation live a Christ-centred life for Christ.

2.  If anyone in Christ

   • Anyone, each and every one, has his/her own choice to become a new creation.

   • The only one condition is “in Christ”. This is repentance, believing and receiving Christ as the Saviour, building relationship with Him, submit to Him (Christ is the Lord of my life).

3. God reconciled us to Himself through Christ

   • All this is from God (18a). God takes the initiative to reconcile us to Him.

   • Through the sacrifice of Christ, God has reconciled us to Him. We should also take the initiative to reconcile others to ourselves, even if we are absolutely right. Had God done wrong that He took the initiative to reconcile us to Him? (Cf. Matt. 5:23-24)

Ambassador for Christ

1. God makes His appeal to the world through us

   • God has given us the ministry of reconciliation, and entrusted the message of reconciliation to us. So we are Christ’s ambassadors, to share the gospel (the message of reconciliation) with others, plead with them to be reconciled to God while there are still opportunities in this life.

Sacrifice of Christ

1. Because no sinner can repay his/her own debt of sin, God made His Son who never sinned to be sin, and receive God’s punishment for our sake.

2. And we in Christ become the righteousness of God. (See 2.b.ii above)

3. Our appropriate response to Christ’s sacrifice: Christ died for me, I live for Christ! (Cf. 2Cor. 5:15)

Conclusion

1. New creation in Christ:

   • Is my new life obvious to others?

   • Live out my new life in Christ which is godly and pleasing to God.

   • Be the ambassador for Christ faithfully to implore the world to be reconciled to God.

2. If you have not received Christ, God is making His appeal through me: Be reconciled to God and become the new creation in Christ.