Created New In Christ

September 25, 1998

 
 
Salvation, A New Relationship with God

• Becoming a Christian is the starting point of being "Created New in Christ."
• Figure: "Four Essentials of Salvation."
• The Christian has new identity in their new relationship with God:

Brothers & sisters of Christ  Followers of Christ  Friends of Jesus  Christians  Adopted  Children of God  Forgiven  Chosen of God  People of God

Mt 12:48-50  Mk 9:41  Jn 15:14-15  Acts 11:26  Rom 8:15  Rom 8:16  Eph 1:7  Col 3:12  1 Pet 2:10

 
Regeneration, A New Inner Being

• Regeneration means "formed again" or "radically changed for the better."
• Figure: "Regeneration, New Identity & Power."
• Figure: "Regeneration of the Believer in Detail."
• The Christian has new identity in the renewal of their inner being:

Salt of the earth  Light of the world  Born again  Born of water & the Spirit  Free from sin  God's bond-servants  Free from all things  Saints  Dead to sin  Alive to God  Slaves of righteousness  New creature  Sanctified  Justified  Runners in a race  Clothed with Christ  His workmanship  Created in Christ  Children of light  Slaves of Christ  New self  Holy  Beloved  Good soldiers of Christ Jesus  Competing athletes  Hard working farmers  Newborn babes  Aliens & strangers

Mt 5:13  Mt 5:14  Jn 3:3  Jn 3:5  Jn 8:32-36  Act 4:49  Acts 13:39  Rom 1:7  Rom 6:11  Rom 6:11  Rom 6:18  1 Cor 5:17  1 Cor 6:11  1 Cor 6:11  1 Cor 9:24-26  Gal 3:27  Eph 2:10  Eph 2:10  Eph 5:8  Eph 6:6  Col 3:10  Col 3:12  Col 3:12  2 Tim 2:3  2 Tim 2:5  2 Tim 2:6  1 Pet 2:2  1 Pet 2:11

•  A changed life is an indication of rebirth (Jm 2:26).
• The reality of sin in the believer means he will not be perfect in this life.
• In a sense, an element of hypocrisy is "built-in" to the Christian.
• What is observed as hypocrisy is a real struggle of good & evil in the believer.
• Never-the-less, God equips the Christian for growth in mind, will & emotion.
• Figure: "Faith, Obedience & Love."

The Church, A New Community

• God brings the new believer into a new relational community in His church.
• The church meets needs which may not be met in existing relationships.
• Figure: "Church Relationships & Ministries."
• God empowers the believer with spiritual gifts to do the tasks of ministry.
• Figure: "Gifts, Ministries & Effects."
• The church must continually realign to its roots to retain its simple focus.
• Figure: "New Wine Skins."
• As a "new wine skin", the church has a new identity in Christ.
• The Christian has new identity in their new relationship with other believers:

New wine  Sheep of Jesus' fold  Branches in the Vine  Heirs of God  Fellow heirs with Christ  One body in Christ  God's fellow workers  God's field  God's building  Temple of God  Ambassadors for Christ  One in Christ Jesus  The church  Fellow citizens  God's household  Workers for the kingdom of God  Heirs of the kingdom  Living stones for a spiritual house  Holy priesthood  Chosen race  Royal priesthood  Holy nation  God's own possession  A kingdom  Bride of Christ   Army of God

Lk 5:37-39  Jn 10:14-16  Jn 15:5  Rom 8:17  Rom 8:17  Rom 12:5  1 Cor 3:9  1 Cor 3:9  1 Cor 3:9  1 Cor 3:16  2 Cor 5:20  Gal 3:28  Eph 1:22  Eph 2:19  Eph 2:19  Col 4:11  Jam 2:5  1 Pet 2:5  1 Pet 2:5  1 Pet 2:9  1 Pet 2:9  1 Pet 2:9  1 Pet 2:9  Rev 1:6  Rev 19:7  Rev 19:14

• Salvation, regeneration & the church add three elements to a Christian's identity.
• Figure: "Identity in Christ."