WELCOME TO THE JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF

CHRIST

PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES

2 Corinthians 5:14-17 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were

all dead: (15) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth

live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (16)

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now

henceforth know we him no more. (17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a

new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

THE BEST NEWS EVER

THE GOSPELA. The Greek word for gospel (euangelion) means good

news.B. The gospel is the good news of what Jesus has done

for us.B. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare

unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

C. The gospel is not just “good news,” it is the best news ever told.

I. IT IS FOR ANYONE

A.2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

B.This whole section of Scripture is written by Paul to explain how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. vs 19

C.The song we sang as children is true – He’s got the whole world in His hands…

I. IT IS FOR ANYONED. Jesus death was for anyone and everyone. What

he did was sufficient to save the whole world, but it becomes efficient in a person’s life when they obey. - Hebrews 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

E. The phrase “In Christ” is very important. This shows us that it is the person that is in Jesus Christ is saved. - Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

F. The good news is that “anyone” including “you” can be in Christ. When that happens then other wonderful things happen such as…

II. IT IS THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER

A. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

B. When a person is saved and placed IN CHRIST then, they are a new creation. Think of it, God does a creative work in that persons life.

C. We were created to fellowship with God as Father and to know Him intimately.

D. Anything else less than this misses the mark of what makes a man fully alive.

E. The bottom line is we are forgiven and brought back into the relationship with God that was intended for man in the very beginning of time.

II. IT IS THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER

F. The Scripture expresses this in many ways:

1. being born again - John 3:3-5, 2. translated into the kingdom of God’s

Son - Col 1:13, 3. passing from death to life – 1 John 3:14, 4. from darkness to light – Acts 26:18, 5. being adopted into God’s family – Gal

4:5, 6. being reconciled to God – Rom 5:10, 7. made alive unto God by His Spirit – Eph

2:1.

III. IT TAKES CARE OF THE PAST

A.2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

B. It is like the yard sale of yard sales where everything you don’t need is hauled away. Being forgiven of one’s sin is a powerful thing.

C.This encompasses all one’s sins.

III. IT TAKES CARE OF THE PAST

D.The things that the devil has tormented you with, condemned you with, and harassed you with, is taken away by the blood of Jesus.

E. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

F. Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness.

G.What a deal! What good news!

IV. IT INTRODUCES THE NEW FUTURE

A. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

B. When you are saved, everything looks different.1. He gives a new life, eternal life.

2. He gives a new home, Heaven.

3. He gives an earnest of our inheritance, the Holy Spirit.

4. He gives guidance, his Word.5. He writes our name in the book of life.

C. What kind of future do you have planned? Is your future being planned based on Jesus death on the cross for you?

HAVE YOU OBEYED THE GOSPEL?

A.2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

B.Are you “in Christ”?

C.Are you a new creation?

D.Have you stopped the sins of the past?

E. Have you started a new future, living for Jesus?

TONIGHT’S SERMON:

PAUL’S I AM

PASSAGES