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New Creation
Rev. Scott Strickman
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Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Behold the Glory of God
2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (ESV)
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Sermon Outline
The gospel urges participation in the new creation through new life in Christ (v17).
1. Living Beings
v11 “… knowing the fear of the Lord”
v12 “…those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart”
v14 “For the love of Christ controls us”
2. Reconciled Beings
v18 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself”
v19 “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them”
v21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”
3. New Beings
v17 “behold, the new has come”
v11 “what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience”
v15 “… that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised”
v16 “From now on… we regard no one according to the flesh”
Prayer of Confession
Our creator and redeemer, help us. Our lives have been controlled by fear, not love. We boast in outward appearances because our hearts are corrupt. Forgive every sin that alienates us from you and has fostered division between us and the world. We look to Jesus in faith, grateful that you made him to be sin, marveling that through him we become righteous. We long to turn from living for ourselves to the one who has loved us and given us new life. Help us by your grace, we pray. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
When you read or think of the creation story in Genesis 1, what strikes you? What do you observe about God?
Should we “fear” God? What does healthy fear of God look like? What does unhealthy fear of God look like?
How do we fall into idolatry? Why is idolatry problematic?
Why is reconciliation with God needed?
How does Jesus reconcile us to God?
What does it mean that Jesus is reconciling the world to himself?
In what ways are Christians “new creation”?
What does it look like to live “no longer for [yourself] but for him who for [your] sake died and was raised”?
If the resurrection of Jesus is the beginning of new creation, what would you expect to see in the world in which we live? If we are still awaiting all things to be made new, what do you expect to see in the world?
How can you be more controlled by the love of Christ?
