Jan. 26, 2025

Background:

• We have all experienced a need to replace an old malfunctioning item with a new one
• Sometimes our old lives need to be replaced with that which is new
• Christ is the author of all things new
• He wants us to be new
• We are to be reconciled, new creation, and ambassadors of Christ

Key Sermon Points:

1. We become a new creation

• Old things are to be gone
• It is often difficult for us to accept that Christ has put our old things in the past
• We must accept that because we can't look forward if we are constantly looking in the past
• Through Christ we can do all things
• We are new on the inside because of Christ
• Our attitudes toward Christ and others should change in light of the Cross
• There is a transformation process that takes place

2. We enjoy a new covenant

• We were separated from god and spiritually dead because of sin
• Now we are reconciled to Him through Christ
• We are reconciled back to God through the blood of Christ
• The enemy between God and man was removed and man was restored to the proper relationship with God (Romans 5:10)
• It's good to be reconciled with God and have peace
• We make peace and are reconciled through the blood (Colossians 1:20-21)

3. We experience a new compulsion

• We become reconciled to become reconcilers
• We became new ambassadors
• God speaks to all of us...we don't have to listen, but God will bring us low
• We can't rest until we go out and share the gospel (Galatians 2:20-21; Matthew 28:19-20)
• We should be disciples and ambassadors
• We have all been commissioned to do the work
• We have been sent as new creatures in the world to declare peace and not war
• We represent Jesus Christ
• It is a great privilege to be ambassadors of Heaven
• We must go through the process of reconciliation
• We all fall down and must repent and be reconciled to restore the relationship with God so that we don't grieve the Holy Spirit
• We need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
• We represent Christ Jesus (John 13:34-35)
• When we look in the mirror or when we are walking, who do we/they see? They should see Jesus in us!
• Do you see a new creature, a disciple of Christ, or an ambassador of Christ?