Good evening. Tonight we are going to continue in our series Finding Freedom From Sin. This is our third week of this series and tonight we are going to try and see the parallels between the creation of the world and the new creation we experience in Christ.
Before we get started though, let’s begin with a word of prayer. Let’s Pray!
When I say that we as Christians are a new creation, what do you think of?
Well, we are in fact a new creation, and at this time I want us to take a look at II Corinthians 5:17. Here in this passage, we are being told how we are a new creation in Christ. Listen to what this verse says. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “1”
Now, we are a new creation. Notice that it didn’t say that we were a refurbished creation. Instead, it said that we were a NEW creation. This new creation is something totally different than what was created in the beginning back in Genesis. So this evening, I want us to look at the Biblical account of the creation of the earth and see the amazing parallels to the new creation of a Christian.
To do that, we are going to begin by taking a look at what it was like before creation.
Without turning to Genesis, can anyone tell me what it was like before creation?
Well, let’s go ahead and take a look at that. Turn with me to Genesis 1:1-2, and verse 9. Here is a good explanation of what it was like before creation. Genesis 1:1-2, and verse 9 says, “2”
Okay, before the creation of the world, it was formless, empty, in darkness, and submerged underneath water. That was the state that everything was in before God created everything. Now, let’s make a transition and take a look at people before they become Christians.
Let’s look at the state of people before the New Creation, and let’s take a look at how this relates to us as new creations in Christ.
How might the description of being formless relate to a person before they become a new creation?
Well, the word formless in the Hebrew means “confusion.” Before you became a new creation, were you confused? I would say yes to that. In fact, the lost world around us is definitely confused.
Okay, how are we empty before we become a new creation?
Let me ask you this, why do we give in to the sin in our lives?
I would venture to say that many people give in to sin because they are trying to fill some void in their lives. Instead of being “filled with all the fullness of God,” and having an overflowing cup, we were inwardly empty, lonely, searching for something to fill us.
Next it mentioned that before creation there was darkness. This is a truth about being a new creation. Before you became a new creation, you were in the dark. The lost world is living in darkness today. That is why they cannot find their way and they keep running into the walls of sin and being knocked down.
And finally, from that passage it said that prior to creation everything was submerged underneath water. What do you think that is a picture of for the non-Christian?
Well, I believe that it is a good picture of the fact that we were dead and buried under the water of our own sins. Lost, sunk, submerged, and dead.
But here is the outcome of all of this. It is the perfect description of how we were trapped in sin. We were formless, confused, empty, in darkness, and buried underneath our sins. But, then God stepped in and made a new creation. The question is, “Does this describe your past or are you still living in this type of setting? Are you a new creation?”
Next, let’s take a look at what happened during creation. To do this, we will look at Genesis 1:3, and verse 9 once again. Listen to these verses. Genesis 1:3, and verse 9 says, “2”
Now, we see what happened during creation. During the creation of the world, God said in verse 3, “let there be light.” Then in verse 9 God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place and let dry ground appear. And it was so.” Now, let’s take a look at he new creation of a Christians and see if there are any connecting points.
When God said, “…let there be light….,” what would that signify for the new creation?
Well, it would be a good example of the fact that it is the Word of God that brings light. In Psalm 119:130 it says, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” If you are saved there was a time in your life when you were in darkness but the Holy Spirit led you to Jesus Christ, Who is the Word. Jesus spoke light into your heart through His Word, taking away the sin and darkness that was inside of you. Notice what Paul says in II Corinthians 4:6. He says, “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.”
At one point in all of our pasts, we were confused, empty, in darkness, and buried in sin; but the Holy Spirit brought light into our life the moment we surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ and gave God control of them. So there is a look at the light aspect of creation.
Now let’s move on and take a look at the fact that we also see that the water is pushed away. The earth, which was submerged beneath the water, has now come bursting up through the water, sort of like a resurrection. Here we see the idea that what was once buried is now alive. This relates to us in the fact that when we become a new creation, we are to come up out of the rubble of sin that we are buried in and remove that from our lives.
And the outcome is that this is you if you are in Christ. You were once empty, in darkness, buried in sin; but now raised from the dead, full of the glory of God, enjoying the light of Jesus Christ.
Now, as we come to a close this evening, I want us to take a look at one last thing. Let’s take a look at the affects of creation. Listen to this, Genesis 1:11 says, “2”
Now, the affects of creation were that the earth was alive, the earth was producing fruit, and then notice that this was all spoken into existence on the 3rd day. Now, let’s compare those affects to the affects of the new creation that we are talking about today. In John 15:5 Jesus says, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in Him, He will bear much fruit.”
Just as the earth was made alive so are you when you surrender your life to Jesus Christ. The evidence of life is vegetation and fruit. The Christian life is no different. We are to bear good fruit for the Lord.
Also notice that it was on the 3rd day that the “resurrection” of the earth happened. In creation there was initial chaos, darkness, emptiness and death. And then, on the 3rd day, there was resurrection unto life and fruitfulness. Now look at Christ. Jesus emptied Himself for us amidst the chaos of His crucifixion. Then He hung on the cross in darkness and died for our sins, but on the 3rd day He arose from the dead. He had victory over sin, death, Hell, and the grave.
And here is the amazing outcome. Through His suffering, we can have this new life. We are in deed a new creation. Romans 8:1-4 has something interesting to tell us. Listen to these verses. Romans 8:1-4 says, “3”
Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, as we close this evening, ask yourself a couple of questions. First, “Am I a new creation in Christ?” And then ask yourself this, “What kind of fruit is my life bearing?” It’s time for us to strive to be this new creation that Jesus had to pay for.
As we consider the key steps in finding freedom from sin, this is a big one. Realize that in Christ you are a new creation. The old you is gone, and the new you with Christ inside of you should be showing through. As we close, allow me to read that text one last time. Make this your prayer as you consider freeing yourselves from sin. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “1” Let’s Pray!
|
