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November 4, 2007
"The All New You"
Discovering the World's Most Important Book—Part 7
2 Corinthians 3:1-6:2
Review
1. Freedom came through what Jesus Christ did for us.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
—Romans 8:1
2. The Spirit-controlled life:
- Is a life at peace.
- Is a life that can please God.
- Is a life that has confidence of its connection to Christ.
- Is a life that receives help from the Spirit in its weakness.
3. The blessing of the Spirit-controlled life:
- All things work out for our good.
- We are being conformed to the likeness of Christ.
- God is for us and He will give us all we need.
- Nothing can separate us from the love of God and we will be victorious.
Life in the Spirit Makes All Things New
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
—2 Corinthians 3:6
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
—2 Corinthians 3:17-4:1
1. You are a "New Creation."
- You have a new start.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
—2 Corinthians 5:17
- You have been reconciled to God.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ...
—2 Corinthians 5:18
2. You have a "New Treasure."
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
—2 Corinthians 4:5-7
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
—2 Corinthians 4:15
3. You have a "New Ministry."
- The ministry of reconciliation.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
—2 Corinthians 5:18-19
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
—Acts 2:21
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
—John 3:16-17
4. You have a "New Mission."
- You are Christ's ambassador.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
—2 Corinthians 5:20-21
- You have been sent into the world with His message.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
—Matthew 28:19-20
Lifework
It is time to work for Christ now! With whom will you share God's "good news"?
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
—2 Corinthians 6:1-2
"The Power of the Spirit"
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- If time or money were not an object, what room in your house would you begin to remodel?
- If you were sent as an Ambassador for your country, where would you like to be sent?
Digging Deeper: Read and Reflect
- The Most Excellent Way (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) What is the greatest example of love that you have ever seen or experienced in your life? Why do you think Paul says love is the greatest virtue?
- A New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:1-6:2) In what ways does a person become a new creation as a result of following Jesus? How can an ordinary person become an effective ambassador for Christ?
- A Living Hope (1 Peter 1:1-2:12) Do you think it is possible to be sure about matters of faith? Why? What things make you most hopeful in life?
- Faith and Works (James 1:1-2:26) What have been the biggest trials you have faced in life? Did they make you a better person? How?
- Love One Another (1 John 3:11-4:21) What would you say are the marks of a new Christian? Do most Christians you know bear these marks?
Applying It To My Life
- How did the light of Christ break through for you? Why is being a servant to others essential for sharing the Gospel? What is one way you could be more of a servant to someone you are concerned about now?
- What motivates you to share your faith? If you rarely do so, what inhibits you? How can you grow in your awe of God and your love of Christ this week? Knowing what it's like to be alienated and reconciled in other relationships, how is it going with God?