INTRODUCTION
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
[17]Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
[18]And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
[19]To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
[20]Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
[21]For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
A New Creation is a New Identity in Christ; a new being with a new personality, someone whose sinful nature has passed away and the nature of God is born afresh, anew in you, a brand new specie, hence You Are Born Again!!!
The Word CHRISTIAN was not given by God or Jesus or the Church, No. It was given by “People” in the Bible.
Acts 11:26:
“And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” The city named the disciples and the church, “CHRISTIANS“.
The early saints were addressed as saints, brethren, Believers or the church but when they got to Antioch, the people in Antioch who were not part of the believers, saw their lifestyles. How they gathered for a whole year without DIVISION among themselves, in UNITY and LOVE.
How they taught considerable numbers of converts, discipling them to be rooted in the Word of God and they called them Christians.
In other words, Christ means the anointed, then they were addressed as the anointed ones.
They saw the True nature of Christ in these brethren. They knew they were followers of Jesus, they carry the virtues of Christ and they also manifested the Annointing of Christ.
A Christian is beyond church activities. A Christian is the one who after being Born Again, continue to bear and manifest the True Nature of Christ.
Note that A CHRISTIAN is not just like everyone and should not be like everyone.
Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
Can People See Your Lifestyle, hear you Speak and then make this Statement?
Your Christ-like Character is what actually portray you as A CHRISTIAN.
Jesus said “Ye are the light of the world”
He also said “let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and Glorify your Father in heaven”.
As A Christian you are the reflection of Jesus here on earth.
A New Creation is being Born Again, the Lifestyle you begin to live is what defines you as a Christian.
As a Christian you have to realise your new identity in Christ.
You are a new person now. Your old sinful nature has passed away. You are born of God. The nature of God is born in you. You are a new creature, brand new specie. The nature of God is in you.
Therefore, you must learn how to live your new life just as a newborn baby must learn to do certain things in this world. (1pet 2:2)
A NEW BIRTH
1. WHY IS THE NEW BIRTH NECESSARY?
(a) Man was created in the image of God, a ruler on the earth
(Gen 1:26-28)
(b) Man was disobedient to God, lost his position and took on the nature of the devil.
(Gen. 2:16-17, Rom 3:23)
(c) The new birth is man’s only opportunity for restoration
(John 3:3-6)
2. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE NEW BIRTH?
(A) Jesus took your place.
When he died you died (Romans 6:8)
When he was buried you were buried
(Colossians 2:12)
When he was vindicated, you were vindicated.
(1 Tim3:16)
When he was raised to sit in heaven you were raised with him
(Ephesians 2:6)
(B) The legal and vital aspects of redemption.
One is in the past, the other is in the present raised with him. (Ephesians 2:6)
3. YOUR NEW STATUS
(a) You are Redeemed
(1Cor 6:20,
Rev 5:9-10)
(b) You are free from the bondage of Satan and sin (Rom 8:2)
(c) You have been transferred into God’s kingdom.
(Col. 1:13-14)
(d) You have access to God’s throne.
(Eph 2:18)
(e) You are now righteous (2Cor 5:21)
(f) You are God’s ambassador on earth (2Cor 5:20)
(g) You have power over Satan and sin
(Luke 10:19)
(h) You are a new creature
(2Cor 5:16-17)
4. MAINTAINING YOUR NEW STATUS
According to what Paul the Apostle says in (Phil 2:12)NKJV
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”.
After being Born Again, we need to constantly work out our Salvation with fear and trembling: meaning that we should subject ourselves to every ordinances of God in all diligent to grow spiritually, not wanting to slide back into the world. Hereby Growing daily in the Word of God and deliberately forsaking the world and it’s lust.
Worldliness is a great tragedy for a Christian. You know why?
The devil uses the love for the world to blind you from your inheritance in Christ Jesus.
There are Great heights assigned for every Believers in Christ Jesus. Every CHRISTIAN has a throne where he/she must rule and reign as kings and priest in Christ Jesus (Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen). This is your inheritance in Christ. The devil uses worldliness to distract you from ruling.
Worldliness is a cheat to every Believers in Christ Jesus. It comes so sweet and interesting. You tends to enjoy its benefits but Satan is just depriving you of the Great Glory ahead of you because worldliness profit nothing. It picks you up, carry you around, you enjoyed the pleasure and then it dropped you suddenly and empty.