1. Occasionally we face circumstances that may cause us to want to start afresh. a. Putting the past in the past would be a great blessing. b. Starting again with a clean slate would also be a special blessing. 2. Starting afresh in this life may not actually be a reality; however, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, this is something we can do spiritually. a. When a person gets into Christ he is "a new creature." b. "Old things are passed away." c. "All things are become new." 3. On this first Lord's Day of 2019 we are studying a number of passages that relate to "becoming a new creature." 4. Let us first point out that . . .
Discussion:
I. THE PEOPLE IN CORINTH SHOW US WHY WE NEED TO BECOME NEW CREATURES
A. We learn from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11a that they were guilty of sins that would keep them out of God's kingdom. B. When the Gospel was first taken to Corinth, some were guilty of rejecting Christ (Acts 18:4-6). C. The spiritual condition of those who are outside of Christ is revealed in Ephesians 2:11-12. D. These passages explain why we need to become new creatures. E. Thankfully, the Lord has made it possible for us to start afresh. F. Not only do they show us why we need to become new creatures, but . . .
II. THE PEOPLE IN CORINTH ALSO SHOW US HOW TO BECOME NEW CREATURES
A. We learn from Acts 18:7-8 that they heard (see vs.4-5), they believed, and they were baptized. B. In other words, they obeyed the commands that Jesus gave in His Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16). C. This process of becoming a new creature is further explained in: 1. Romans 6:3-7 2. Galatians 3:27-29 3. Colossians 2:11-13. D. These passages explain how we become new creatures. E. When we become new creatures "old things are passed away" (Psalm 103:12).
III. THE SCRIPTURES REVEAL ADDITIONAL PRINCIPLES THAT RELATE TO BEING NEW CREATURES
A. Putting on the new man is an ongoing process. 1. Ephesians 4:22-24 2. Colossians 3:8-13 B. Concerning the fact that "all things are become new," new creatures: 1. look for a new dwelling place (2 Peter 3:13) 2. obey a new commandment (2 John 5-6).
Conclusion:
1. The Lord invites us to come to Him so He can make us new creatures (Matthew 11:28-30). 2. Let us close by reading about some people who became new creatures in Acts 2:41-47.
