He Makes All Things NEW!
INTRODUCTION
I thought of the man trying to console the person on their way to the electric chair. Saying, "Good Luck." or something like that would not be much help. So, he finally said, "More power to you!" Oops, that was the wrong thing to say. But, is it possible to have more power in your life in the New Year? Yes, He is able and willing if we are open to improvement through His power.
Everyone needs to improve himself or herself in the New Year. It is possible to be made new through the work of God in our lives. Listen as I point out these facts about the work of God.
I. He Makes . . A NEW CREATION. 2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NAS)
A. New Creation with a new . . Self.
Eph 4:24 and put on the new self, which in {the likeness of} God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (NAS)
Col 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him
ILLUSTRATION
Oscar Cervantes is a dramatic example of Christ's power to transform lives. As a child, Oscar began to get into trouble. Then as he got older, he was jailed 17 times for brutal crimes. Prison psychiatrists said he was beyond help. But they were wrong! During a brief interval of freedom, Oscar met an elderly man who told him about Jesus. He placed his trust in the Lord and was changed into a kind, caring man. Shortly afterward he started a prison ministry. Chaplain H. C. Warwick describes it this way: "The third Saturday night of each month is 'Oscar Night' at Soledad. Inmates come to hear Oscar and they sing gospel songs with fervor; they sit intently for over 2 hours; they come freely to the chapel altar.... What professionals had failed to do for Oscar in years of counseling, Christ did in a moment of conversion."
B. New Creation with a new . . Song.
Rev 14:3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.
ILLUSTRATION
Stuart Hamlin wrote country and western songs. Before he got saved he wrote a song titled "I won't go hunting with you Jake but I'll go chasing women"
Stuart got saved and John Wayne made a bet Stuart wouldn't last six months. Sometime after the six months Stuart saw JOHN WAYNE and he said "You cost me some money Stuart. I bet you wouldn't last six months". Stuart said "It is no secret what God can do". John Wayne said that sounds like a good song title and Stuart when home that night and wrote the song "It Is No Secret What God Can Do."
APPLICATION
You see his life was changed by the power of God.
II. He Makes . . A NEW COVENANT.
Luke 22:20, 1 Cor 11:25
A. The New Covenant is a . . Blood Covenant. Luke 22:20
20 And in the same way {He took} the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. (NAS)
1 Cor 11:25 In the same way {He took} the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink {it,} in remembrance of Me."
B. The New Covenant is a . . Better Covenant.
1. Better because of the . . Spirit. 2 Cor 3:6 who also made us adequate {as} servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (NAS)
2. Better because of the . . Savior. (Mediator) Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were {committed} under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (NAS)
ILLUSTRATION
Many European towns still bear the marks of having been surrounded by walls in the Middle Ages. Streets near these old walls are curved and sometimes come to dead ends. A man stopped a stranger and asked him the way to reach a certain address. The stranger directed him but the enquirer was still a little dubious. "Is that the best way?" he asked. The stranger quickly answered, "It is the only way. If you follow the other turning it will bring you back here."
That is a great illustration of the way to God. "So, is through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross the best way?" someone might ask. The only answer to that is the truth: "HE is the only way!" (John 14:6). Any other turning will take you, not back to where you are, but off into outer darkness of separation from God. --
APPLICATION
We have the privilege of participating in this new covenant. In fact a covenant requires the involvement of at least two parties. We have the opportunity of entering into a covenant with God.
III. He Makes . . A NEW COMMAND.
John 13:34
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
A. The Command . . Imparted. v 34 a
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, . . . "
B. The Command . . Illustrated. v 34 b
". . . even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "
ILLUSTRATION
General Robert E. Lee was asked what he thought of a fellow officer in the Confederate Army who had made some derogatory remarks about him. Lee rated him as being very satisfactory. The person who asked the question seemed perplexed. "General," he said, "I guess you don't know what he's been saying about you."
"I know," answered Lee. "But I was asked my opinion of him, not his opinion of me!"
ILLUSTRATION
My mom has a severe hearing loss. She talks louder than she needs to but she doesn't know it. She said to a friend in the store, "Look how much milk you got and I only have a pint." The lady got mad and later put a note under mom's door saying you are a loud mouth woman.
APPLICATION
My mom got very mad but decided to try to relate with kindness. At Christmas, the lady send a nice card and said you are a good person and a good friend. All of us have the opportunity to relay the love of God to others.
IV. He Makes . . A NEW HEAVEN and EARTH.
2 Pet 3:13
13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (NAS)
A. We are . . Looking for that New Heaven. v 13 a
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, . . . "
B. We are . . Longing for that New Heaven. v 13 b
". . . in which righteousness dwells."
ILLUSTRATION
In his book Dare to Believe, Dan Baumann illustrates the unique experience of knowing that something is ours, yet longing to enjoy it more fully. He explained that at Christmas time he would always do a lot of snooping, trying to find the gift --wrapped presents and figure out what was in them.
One year he discovered a package with his name on it that was easy to identify. There was no way to disguise the golf clubs inside. Baumann then made this observation: "When Mom wasn't around, I would go and feel the package, shake it, and pretend that I was on the golf course." The point is, I was already enjoying the pleasures of a future event; namely, the unveiling. It had my name on it. I knew what it was." But only "Christmas would reveal it in its fullness."
APPLICATION
The glories that await the Christian defy our comprehension. What we can grasp about them, however, fills us with great anticipation. We look longingly to that day when we shall enjoy heaven in all its fullness.