Sermon Cloud

Intro:  Religion vs. Christianity discussion on BU campus.  It’s about what Christ did & does.

Big Idea:  The resurrection of Jesus provides the only hope for creation.

Context:  Paul summarizes his letter’s message focusing on the Christ’s work in us & for us.

I. United w/Jesus, we participate in the new creation now.

-         Paul stops dictating and starts writing himself for emphasis.

-         “neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything”- neither provides advantage.

-         He wants them to reject the deadly deception of the false teachers: rules => life!

-         We settle for formal religion we can perform.  Ill. Baptism, memorization, abstinence

-         No one can faithfully keep those rules.  And they were not designed to give us life.

-         “what counts is a new creation”- true Christianity is Jesus making us new people, now.

-         All who are united to Christ by faith are a new creation- (2 Cor. 5 & Gal. 2:20).

-         The renewal of creation has already begun: initiated in Jesus’ resurrection (Eph. 2).

-         He gives a new heart (Ez. 36:26) or spirit.  This is the circumcision of the heart (Jer. 9).

-         These are pictures of a new person.  The resurrected Jesus gives us new life!

-         The living Jesus is able to save us, bringing back into relationship with God.

Transition:  This happens at conversion (1^st trust Jesus).  Have you experienced this yet?

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  2 Corinthians 5 (NIV)

⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  Ephesians 2 (NIV)

“It is natural to fallen man to decline from the real, the inward and the spiritual, and to fabricate a substitute religion which is easy and comfortable because its demands are external and ceremonial only.”  John Stott

“The truth of the gospel swallows up, and brings to nought, all the shadows of the law.”  John Calvin

II. Trusting Jesus, we await the final renewal of creation.

-         We already participate in the new creation: but do not yet see the fullness of it.

-         Already: new hearts, forgiveness, adoption.  Not yet: new bodies, no more sinning.

-         Our new, imperishable bodies will be received when Jesus returns for His people.

-         The weakness & decay of our bodies is to create a longing for the resurrection.

-         The continuing disobedience we experience is to create a longing for glorification.

-         But the resurrection has cosmic implications too: all of creation will be renewed.

-         Is. 65 => 1 Corinthians 15 =>Romans 8 => Revelation 21- 22

-         God loves creation & will remove the curse when Jesus returns.  Ill. Gov’t, ed., technolgy

-         The futility of this world is to stir a longing for the Day- no process, cataclysmic event.

-         Our perfect bodies will be in a perfect environment to enjoy perfect fellowship w/God!

²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.  ²³ But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.  1 Corinthians 15 (NIV)

¹⁷ “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth.  The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.   Isaiah 65 (NIV)

Transition:  Our individual renewal is part of the cosmic renewal Jesus will accomplish.

III. Walk as a new creation in the Spirit’s power.

-         We live between personal renewal & cosmic renewal.  What difference is it to make?

-         “walk this rule”- canon: standard, sphere of influence.  Walk as the new creation you are.

-         Live under the influence of our justification, adoption, union w/Cr, & indwelling Spirit.

-         The same power that raised Him from the dead works in us (Eph. 1).  Ill. Uber-Christian

-         We’ve been given new life to walk in that new life, not continue in sin (Rom. 6).

-         He works in us to produce good works (Eph. 2:10) & a life of love (Gal. 5).

-         “peace and mercy” are experienced by those who walk the rule: united with Christ!

-         Mercy: we still sin, individually & corporately.  Peace: conflict still taints community.

-         He works thru us to bear testimony to His work for us: mission (Mt. 28 & John 20).

-         “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus”- stigmata: brand of a slave.

-         Paul bore the scars from preaching the death & resurrection of Christ.

-         Jesus is known by His scars: and so are His people, so we experience resurrection power.

⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  Romans 6 (NIV)

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.  Galatians 5:6 (NIV)

“… it is sinful neglect of this rule, … , which is the main reason why the contemporary church seems to be enjoying so little of the mercy of God and so little internal peace and harmony.”  John Stott

Conclusion:  The Father raised Jesus from the dead, not just to show power but to initiate the new creation.  All who trust Jesus to save them from sin & its power participate as new creations, awaiting the renewal of creation itself at Jesus’ return.  Until then, we are to live in keeping with that new creation we are, and God is faithful to sustain us with peace, mercy & persevering power.