2177: "A New Creation” | 10Mar24 | Malcolm Cox

A New Creation, 2 Co 5.17IntroductionLessons from 'a new thing’ - Isaiah 43.19Abraham: The promises of God (doing things his way) create a legacy far exceeding anything we can achieve by our own effortsRahab: 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 upDaniel: Impact in a culture opposed to your faithEsther: Don't underestimate the impact one person can have (with support)Nehemiah: Blessed are those who mournPeter: Jesus has vision for flawed followers Samaritan woman: Jesus transforms our future2 Cor 5.16-17 - what does this mean? Also Galatians 6.151. God Recreates Creation, Rev 21:1-5A. God has a master-planCreation-Fall-Covenant-Law-Messiah-New Covenant-New 'Law' (new command, 'but I say')-New Creation (new people)-New Heaven and EarthB. 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 CreationLiving 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 obedienceWith people - marginalised, hurtingIllustration: Jesus at the home of Simon the Leper, Mark 14.3-9Being a new creation means being inappropriate in this creationAn inappropriate location - leper’s houseAn inappropriate person - woman presentAn inappropriate extravagance - alabaster, expensive perfumeAn inappropriate gesture - shatteredAn inappropriate identification - High Priest (like Aaron), King (like David), Prophet (like Elisha)3. We are a New CreationA. New relationshipsWith God as FatherWith the lost as ambassadorsOC - 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 familyWe go ‘to’ peopleWe go to those who need usWe pay a high ‘cost’B. New life,The ‘full’ life, John 10.10 - this is discipleship, a life lived after JesusAIM programme — “Spiritual Life”Our access is the death of Jesus, (Romans 6:1-11)ConclusionCall to explore the theme of 'a new creation', leading to 'a new thing'Link to Lord's Supper - PrayerPlease add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm