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[0:00] Take your Bibles and turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 5. 2 Corinthians chapter 5, we'll read beginning of the first verse and read all the way into chapter 6, verse 2.

[0:14] Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

[0:26] 3 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 3.

[0:56] Verse 3. Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.

[1:09] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

[1:21] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

[1:31] Since then, we know what it is to fear the Lord. We try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

[1:54] If we are out of our mind, if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

[2:08] And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view.

[2:23] Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

[2:33] The old has gone. The new has come. 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.

[2:52] And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

[3:03] 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.

[3:17] 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.

[3:31] I tell you, now is the time of God's favor. Now is the day of salvation. Well, as Pastor Jason said, we are studying the Christian's identity, the answer to the question, who are you?

[3:52] Next to the question, who is God? This is the most important question to answer. And according to the Bible, knowing our identity as Christians shapes the way we live our lives here.

[4:09] And so we're turning to God's word for the answer. Who better to tell us who we are than the one that made us, the one that knows us through and through. And the first thing that we find in the Bible is that I am a descendant of Adam.

[4:25] I'm a human being. And that carries privileges as well as some bad things because he was a fallen Adam, wasn't he?

[4:37] And we're descendants of a fallen Adam. And so from him being my head, my representative, I have inherited from Adam a sinful nature.

[4:47] Condemnation, death. But we're looking at the identity of the Christian. And so secondly, we've learned that there are some of the descendants of Adam who are now in Christ.

[5:04] Indeed, that's the favorite way of the New Testament speaking about a Christian. You're someone who's in Christ. Now, we weren't always in Christ. We were separate from Christ.

[5:15] And then we heard the gospel of the Lord Jesus. And we trusted in him. And we were included in Christ. We were grafted into him. We were put into Christ.

[5:27] So that we no longer have Adam as our covenant representative head to give us death, condemnation, sinful nature. We now have Jesus Christ as our representative and head who gives us instead justification.

[5:43] And instead of death, life. And instead of a sinful nature, ruliness, freedom from that sinful nature. Again, he gives to us all the blessedness that is in him as he takes our sins upon himself.

[5:59] So the most important thing that a Christian can ever realize about who they are is just this. I am in Christ. And that identity in Christ is far richer than any one word or sermon can carry.

[6:14] And so it's my plan that through the summer and spring and summer months, each week to take one aspect of our new identity in Christ and to seek to unpack it.

[6:25] All in answer to the question is, who am I in Christ? Now, notice we were told in 2 Corinthians, you might open your Bibles to that passage because that's where we're working from this morning.

[6:38] 2 Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is gone.

[6:50] The new has come. So this is the next thing that we learn about our identity. I am a new creation. If you're in Christ, say that with me.

[7:01] I am a new creation. Now, the first creation was perfect, wasn't it? God, after creating six days, observed it all and said, it is very good.

[7:17] Nothing out of place. But man, the highest of his creation, fell into sin and rebellion. And all of his descendants were born sinners with that same sinful nature.

[7:29] And so the earth, rather than being a wonderful place, became suddenly a place of sin and misery. In fact, you can trace every single bit of your misery back to that fall into sin.

[7:40] And so now the world is, God's creation is defiled. Everything man touches is now defiled. The earth is cursed because of man's sin.

[7:53] Pain, suffering, death, decay enter the world so that the whole creation was subjected to futility and frustration. And it's even now groaning in bondage to decay.

[8:05] So God's first creation was defiled. It was ruined, broken, out of joint, all because of sin. But God the creator is not about to let sin have the final word concerning his creation.

[8:19] His eternal plan was to bring forth a new creation out of the ashes of the old creation. To purify it by fire, Peter says, that the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire.

[8:36] But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. And so at his coming, Christ will create this new heaven and new earth.

[8:49] And because there will be no more sin, there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. For the old order of things has passed away. And he who sits upon the throne says, I am making everything new.

[9:04] So God was pleased through Christ to reconcile all things to himself. The whole created order is to be made new at Christ's return. And that transformation is so radical and thorough and all embracing that it's called a new creation.

[9:22] When the creation itself will be liberated from this bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Well, God's already begun that new creation.

[9:34] He began it with the resurrection of Christ from the dead. He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead. But his new creation doesn't end with Christ. He is to have a whole bunch of people who look just like him.

[9:49] New creations. And so this whole new creation is coming. And already in this life, God is calling out. Gathering together a renewed people to live in that new creation world.

[10:03] He's giving new birth to a new humanity. Uniting sinners to Jesus Christ by faith. He's making them a part of this new race of Jesus people.

[10:17] All accomplished in Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he, she is a new creation. The old is gone.

[10:28] The new has come. So if you're in Christ, you are a new creation. Part of that new created order that God is bringing in through the Lord Jesus.

[10:41] Now, that's not something that we're capable of doing. Making ourselves new. It's creative power. Creating power. It's the same power needed that brought the sun into being.

[10:54] That's needed to bring you into new creation life. As Paul says of this new creation in Ephesians 2.10. We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus.

[11:08] It has to be his workmanship to put anyone in Christ as a new creation. So that simply means if you are a new creation, you're different from what you used to be.

[11:20] A drastic change has happened. In the words of our verse, verse 17, it means that the old is gone and the new has come. The old man that I was in Adam died with Christ, was buried with Christ.

[11:36] And a new man was raised with Jesus Christ. A newness of life. I'm not the same man I used to be. He's over with. I'm a new creation in Christ.

[11:47] So that means the old way of life has gone. The new life has come. A new life always follows the new birth. A new creation.

[11:59] A sinful, wealthy man had a black carriage driver who drove him everywhere he went. And so that black man saw everywhere he went and everything he did and with whom he did it.

[12:12] And one day his master was converted. He was put in Christ. He became a new creation. And everything changed. And this slave couldn't help but see it. And when someone asked him about his master, all he could say is he's a different man.

[12:27] But he's in the same skin. He's a new man. In the same skin. The old is gone. The new has come. Whenever there's a new creation. That's the reality of being in Christ.

[12:41] New created life. And this life, this new life. Is offered to anyone. Who will repent and trust in Jesus Christ.

[12:51] For if anyone is in Christ. He's a new creature. New creation. Whatever. Whoever you are. Whatever you've done. Anyone. If you are in Christ.

[13:02] You will be a new creation. Think of Saul of Tarsus. Probably the last person you'd ever think would be a Christian. He's killing Christians. Yet if Saul of Tarsus be in Christ.

[13:14] He will be a new creation. And that's exactly what happened. And that's why he's writing these words to us. If David Berkowitz is in Christ. He is a new creation.

[13:27] You may remember him as son of Sam. Or the 44 caliber killer. Who for a whole year. In 1976 and 1977. Terrorized.

[13:38] The city of New York. A serial killer. Murdered one. After another. After another. After another. Nightlife shriveled in New York City.

[13:50] He eluded the largest police manhunt ever. In New York City. Would write letters mocking the police. Threatening further attacks.

[14:02] Saying I can't stop myself. Murdered six young women. Injured nine. Other men and women. Blinded one young man.

[14:13] One man. He was finally caught and sentenced. To 365 years in prison. And he's still there. Is it possible for such. A serial killer.

[14:25] To find. New life in Christ. To become a new creation. After ten years in prison. As a depressed. Suicidal. Hopeless. Man.

[14:36] One day an inmate. When he was just walking around the prison yards. A man came up and told him of the love of God. In Jesus Christ. And David Berkowitz.

[14:48] Scoffed at that. The man. Later gave him a. Gideon New Testament. And Psalms. For the first time. He read the word of God. As he read. His heart was drawn.

[15:00] Into this love of God. In Jesus Christ. And he. Cried out to God. For mercy. And put his trust in the Savior. And united.

[15:12] To Jesus Christ. He became a new creature. New creation. If any man. Be in Christ. He's a new creation. He now fills his.

[15:23] Life. Sentence in prison. By. Working in the chapels. Holding Bible studies. For other men. Writing a track. Of his testimony.

[15:33] Sending it out. Videos of his testimony. Writing letters. To. To hopeless people. All over the world. Telling them. Of the hope. That's found in Jesus Christ. Asked.

[15:44] What the new. David Berkowitz. Would say. To the. David Berkowitz. Of 1976. David answered. You're dead. You don't exist.

[15:55] Anymore. That's the old man. Who as far as I'm concerned. Is dead. Buried. And gone. Thanks to Jesus Christ. And if you're a Christian. Here this morning. You can say the exact same thing.

[16:08] What about the old John? What about the old Jim? What about. The old Mike? As far as I'm concerned. He's dead. Buried. And gone. With Christ.

[16:19] I'm joined to Jesus. A new man has risen. I am a new man. In Jesus Christ. Christ. If anyone. Is in Christ. The old.

[16:31] Is gone. The new. Has come. Think of Paul himself. You see. Even though I was once a blasphemer. And persecutor. And violent man. He says. I was shown mercy. The grace of our Lord.

[16:41] Was poured out on me. Abundantly. Along with the faith. And love. That are in Christ. Jesus. So to be in Christ. Is to become a new creation. With new life.

[16:52] In Christ. Christ. Our passage. Lays out. Four of the old things. That have now become new things. In Christ. And the more we're aware.

[17:03] Of that new identity. The more. It will shape the way we live. So. Let's look at those four things. Four new things. That are true of. New creatures. In Christ.

[17:13] Jesus. First of all. In Christ. We receive. A new purpose. For living. Verses 14 and 15. For Christ. Love. Compels us. Because we are convinced.

[17:24] That one died for all. And therefore. All died. First thing. He tells us here. Is that being in Christ. Means. That when he died. All his people.

[17:35] Died with him. His death. Is now counted. Ours. But he goes on. To tell us. Why Christ died. Verse 15. And he died for all.

[17:47] That is all of those. Who are in Christ. That those who live. Should no longer. Live for themselves. But for him. Who died for them. And was raised again.

[17:57] So though they died. With Christ. They're not dead. They live. Because they have not only. Died with Christ. They've risen with Christ. Through his resurrection. They have risen. To a new life.

[18:08] To live. A life. Unlike. Their old life. And notice. The new purpose. In this new life. Of the new creature. That those who live.

[18:18] Should no longer live. For themselves. But for him. Who died for them. And was raised. Again. The old way of life.

[18:29] Was to live for self. And this. We did consistently. We put ourselves. At the center. Of our universe. And everything. Had to revolve around.

[18:40] Me. And what I want. The one great concern. That determined. How I live. From morning till night. That trumped. Every other concern. In life. Was what do I.

[18:50] Want to do. With my life. We didn't check. With God. With what he might. Want us to do. No. He was not.

[19:01] In all of our thoughts. Concerning such questions. We were dead to God. We didn't care. What he wanted. It was rather. What will please me. What will serve. My best interest.

[19:11] What will satisfy me. That was the governing principle. That shaped. Our lives. Every one of us. We live for ourselves. Not for God. But when we became.

[19:22] A new creature. In Christ. That old purpose. For living. Was gone. And the new. Has come. And the new. Is this. To no longer live.

[19:33] For themselves. But for him. Who died for them. And was raised again. So our news. New purpose. In life. Is centered. On a new person. A person. The Lord. Jesus Christ.

[19:44] Not me. But him. Who died. And so. Paul was convinced. He could never again. Live the way. He used to live. Not now. It was the love of Christ.

[19:55] And dying for him. That wouldn't let him. Live for self. Anymore. I don't deserve this life. In Christ. He would tell us. I should be a. A dead man. In hell. Suffering under God's wrath.

[20:05] Forever. For my sin. But Christ. Loved me. And died for me. Just as we sang.

[20:18] He took the wrath. That should have been mine. And this new life. I have then. Is all owing to his death. For me. And his resurrection.

[20:29] For me. It was for me. How can I live any longer? For myself. Christ's love and death. Was the death blow. To that old purpose of life.

[20:40] It left only one answer. To the question. What shall I do with my life? I'll live for him. Who died for me. That's the new purpose. Of every new creature.

[20:51] In Christ. I'll live for him. Who died. And rose for me. So we get this new purpose. For living. It's a radical change. It's not a few minor adjustments.

[21:02] On the fringes of our life. That we add Jesus to this. And we add a little Jesus to that. No. It's a different center. It's a different sun. In our solar system.

[21:12] Jesus Christ. Is now the center. And everything in my life. Revolves around. What does he want done? He's now Lord.

[21:22] He's now master. I live for him. Not. For me. Remember. When Paul met this risen Lord Jesus.

[21:32] On the road to Damascus. What some of the first words. Out of his mouth were. What would you have me to do? Lord. That's it. That's the new purpose.

[21:43] Of every new creature. What would you have me to do? Many of you know exactly. What Paul's talking about. And you can say.

[21:54] I'm convinced. That I am a new creature. In Christ. That that. That this new life. He's talking about. Is mine. Because I didn't used to be concerned. With what Jesus wanted. In my life.

[22:04] I didn't consider him. He wasn't in my thoughts. During my days. As I lived. What I want to do. With my money. My body. My time. My abilities. My future.

[22:15] Who I date. Who I marry. Where I go. Who I go with. I never used to check. With Jesus Christ. But only with myself. Because I live for myself.

[22:27] But now I want to know. What he wants. And I scour. My Bible. To find out. What pleases the Lord. That's why I now live.

[22:39] His will. His will. Is now the most important thing to me. It's the end of all discussion. It's really quite remarkable. I know it's. It's not the old me.

[22:49] Almighty God. Has made me a new creature. In Christ Jesus. And I have. I have this new purpose. To my life. That I never had. Before. A new creation.

[23:02] Gets a new. Purpose. Believer in Christ. Let your new identity. In Christ. Lead you more. And more. Into that new purpose.

[23:15] I'll live for him. Who died. And rose for me. Secondly. In Christ. We're new creatures. With a new view. Of people. Verse 16.

[23:26] So from now on. We regard. No one. From a worldly. Point of view. When we become a Christian.

[23:38] One of the things. That changes. Is the way we think. About others. I mean by that. The way we evaluate. People. The way we weigh them. On a scale of worth.

[23:49] There's an old way. And a new way. Of viewing people. The old way. The world's point of view. Is just. Judging people. Superficially. Man looks on the eyes.

[24:02] Outward appearance. Based on. What we see. According to our likes. And prejudices. So. The old way. Of viewing people. Is that we weighed.

[24:13] Their importance. By how they looked. Are they appealing. Or appalling. Are they in good health. Fit or not. What they wear. The car they drive. Where they work.

[24:24] Where they live. The language they speak. The color of their skin. We had them all sized up. Even before we even. Talk to them.

[24:35] That's the old way. Of. The world's way. Of. Of viewing people. Or maybe we just judge them. By whether they have anything. To contribute to me. Well. That person has nothing.

[24:45] To give to me. They're nothing. To me. What do I stand. To gain from her. From him. You see. When self.

[24:56] Is at the center. Others are relegated. To the fringes. Of our lives. And we evaluated people. From this point of view. Didn't we. And many were simply.

[25:06] Written off. On the basis. Of. Just these. Outward. Considerations. As unworthy. Of our love. And interest. And service. Paul even includes.

[25:17] Himself. Himself here. Doesn't he. He uses the we. We. From now on. We regard. No one. From a worldly point of view. He used to view people that way.

[25:28] He was a Jew. And he looked down his Jewish nose. On Gentiles. And half-breed Samaritans. And he was a Pharisee of the Jews.

[25:38] And he looked down his nose. On. On others that weren't of his stripe. Oh. That was the old way. Though we once regarded people this way.

[25:49] We do so. We do so no longer. New creatures. Don't. Don't regard people the same way. It gives us a new view of people. The old is gone. The new has come.

[25:59] So now. We see all people. As fellow descendants of Adam. My brother. My sister. In the one human race. And. Made in the image of God.

[26:13] They are of inestimable value. Jesus says. Worth more than. All the world combined. And so we. We have a new way. Of viewing people.

[26:26] Colossians 311. Paul says that. Here in Christ. There is no Greek or Jew. That big division. That was part of his day.

[26:37] Are you Greek? Are you Jew? Which side of the fence are you on? Here in Christ. There is no such division. There is no Greek. Or Jew. No circumcised or uncircumcised.

[26:49] No barbarian. Barbarian. Uneducated. Scythian. Slave or free. But Christ is in all. And is all. That's the important thing. A whole new way.

[27:00] Of looking at people. All the ways the world. Divides up people. It's gone in Christ. In Christ. We take Christ's view. Of people.

[27:11] And what do we see. In the gospels. We see Jesus. As a savior. For all peoples. Isn't he? Even the little children.

[27:22] That the disciples. He doesn't have time for them. No. No. He's a savior for children. For unclean people.

[27:34] For demon possessed people. For self righteous. Nicodemuses. But also. For immoral Samaritan women. He's a friend of sinners.

[27:46] All kinds of sinners. And that's the new view. Of people we get. We don't size people up. On. How they look. And how they talk. And what they wear. We now see them.

[27:57] As Jesus sees them. It's a new way. It's a new. View of people. And that's why. We treat them. With the respect. And dignity. That Jesus treated.

[28:08] People in his day. It's why we. Seek to love them. As we love ourselves. Well.

[28:20] Not only do we get. A new view of people. In general. But a new view of Christ. In particular. Verse 16 says. For from now on. Now that we're in Christ. From now on. We regard no one.

[28:30] From a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ. In this way. We do so no longer. We sized him up. From a worldly point of view. Too. Didn't we?

[28:41] We made ourselves. The measure of Jesus. What do I think of him? Does he fit? Does he fit with my idea? With what I want.

[28:52] To find. In a savior. A messiah. Paul had his own view. Of Jesus. That's what he's telling us here. What was Jesus. To Paul.

[29:04] Well. He was just a man. Religious leader. Gathered a few followers. But he was a blasphemer. He claimed to be God. He was a false messiah.

[29:15] He deceived the people. He was justly condemned. And crucified. And buried. That's all he is to Paul. A dead. Failed. Deceptive.

[29:26] Religious leader. We once. Viewed Jesus. From a worldly point of view. Not worthy of. Paul's love.

[29:38] And worship. And service. Rather someone. To snuff out his name. From the earth. And. We too. We all had our view of Jesus. We even hear people saying.

[29:50] I like to think of Jesus. And then what follows. Is there. Their own created view of Jesus. Rather than coming to the book. And letting him. Reveal himself to them.

[30:02] We. We have our view of him. But Jesus. We'd like. To construct. In our own mind. And he fits with all of our. Likes and dislikes.

[30:14] And whatever your view of Jesus was. Before you were saved. You saw no beauty in him. No glory in him.

[30:25] That you would surrender your life to him. And say. It's yours. Jesus. You are worthy of. My worship. My life. My all.

[30:36] You sang that. That's the new view of Jesus. But. But you didn't used to sing that. You didn't used to think that. Jesus. Had no place.

[30:47] In your heart. Just as he found no place in the end. The day he was born. And found no place. Among those to whom he came. To save. We once regarded Christ.

[30:59] In this way. But we do so no longer. What happened Paul? I met him. The risen. Glorified. Jesus Christ.

[31:11] Christ. And my eyes were opened. And I saw the glory of God. In Jesus Christ. And that's what happens. Whenever anyone. Becomes a new creature.

[31:21] Put into Christ. We suddenly see. Who Jesus really is. And we fall down in worship. With Thomas. We say. My Lord. And my God. With Peter.

[31:32] When everyone. Most of the crowd. Is forsaking Jesus. Never to follow him anymore. And Jesus turns. And says to the twelve. Will you also leave me? And Peter speaks for the twelve. When he says.

[31:43] Lord. To whom shall we go? We know. And believe. That you are. The holy one. Of God. There's nowhere else to go.

[31:55] We can't envision life. Without you. That's a new view of Jesus. You're the only one. That can satisfy. God's wrath. Against my sin. You're the only one.

[32:06] That can do something. About this powerful. Sin nature. That I have. And set me free. From it. So that from within. I'll want to do the good. And want to serve you.

[32:17] And love others. To whom shall we go? That's a new view of Jesus. And that's what every one of you have. Who are in Christ. He's now precious to you.

[32:28] He's altogether lovely. He's the fairest. Of ten thousand. To your soul. In Christ. We get a new purpose. We get a new view of people.

[32:40] And especially of Jesus. And then thirdly. In Christ. We're new creatures. With a new relationship. With God. Verses 18 and 19. All this is from God.

[32:51] This new creation. It's from God. Who reconciled us to himself. Through Christ. And gave us the ministry. Of reconciliation. That God was reconciling.

[33:02] The world to himself. In Christ. Not counting men's sins. Against them. This new relationship. With God. Is due to reconciliation.

[33:14] A reconciliation. Has taken place. Now. To reconcile. Means to bring. Two warring parties. Together. Into peaceful. Friendly. Terms. It brings an end.

[33:25] To the hostilities. And the alienation. Between the two. For a long time. The United States. And North Korea. Have been enemies. Avowed enemies.

[33:36] Alienated. At war. Even if it's a cold war. A certain offense. Has come between us. And our presidents. Are planning to meet. Next month.

[33:47] To try to reconcile. These two countries. But I'll tell you. Unless the offense. Is removed. There'll be no reconciliation. Of the two parties. The offense.

[33:57] Must be removed. Once in a while. You and your spouse. Have an offense. Come between you. And coolness. And distance. Sets in. That offense.

[34:07] Has to be removed. In order to be reconciled. To one another. Brought back. Into harmonious. Relationship. And now. The old you.

[34:18] And God. Were the enemies. And it wasn't. Just a little spat. That both parties. Could just get over. And go on. The issues. Between us. Were huge.

[34:29] The separation. Was an infinite. Chasm. The separating. Factor. On our part. Was our sin. Sin. Is rebellion. Sin. Is man's.

[34:39] Mutiny. Against our maker. It's our sinful. Nature. That refused. To be ruled. By God. And his law. And we declared. Our independence. From God.

[34:51] That's. The separating. Factor. On man's part. The offense. To God. Could not. Be greater. And as for God's part. His instinctive. Response.

[35:01] To our sin. Is wrath. God. Can no more. Not have wrath. Towards sin. Then. Then a bird. Cannot. Enjoy.

[35:12] Flying. Over. Swimming. Why? Because that's. It's nature. God's nature. Is so holy. That he hates. Sin. His wrath. Strikes out. Against it. His wrath.

[35:23] Is the recoil. Action. Of. Of how God. Responds. To sin. And injustice. Wherever he finds it. And so he's determined. To punish it. Wherever he finds it.

[35:34] You see how huge. The problem was. It's not just a little. Misunderstanding. That could easily. Be put right. It was rather rooted. In the very nature. Of God. Who he is.

[35:45] And in the very nature. Of man. Who he is. God is holy. Man is sinful. This is a God sized problem. And only a God sized solution.

[35:56] Could ever put. It right. And bring. Reconciliation. Between God and man. And he took the initiative. Reconciling us. To himself.

[36:07] Through Christ. That's Paul's language. Reconciling us. To himself. Through Jesus Christ. Only Jesus. Could take care of the problem. On both sides.

[36:18] Of this matter. Both sides. Of this warfare. He would do it. By uniting us. To Christ. He removed. The enmity. From our hearts.

[36:30] Because in Christ. We become. A new creation. With a new nature. That now loves God. And loves his laws. And wants. To please him. Wants to end. The rebellion.

[36:41] And wants to submit. And fall at his feet. And do his will. And he removed. God's wrath. Against us. That was removed. Through the work. Of Christ. By not counting.

[36:52] Men's sins. Against. Them. That's an interesting. Phrase. Isn't it? It's the gospel. Phrase. Not counting. Men's sins.

[37:03] Against them. I'm afraid. Most of the world. Misunderstands it. Most of the world. Says that's the kind of God. I like. He doesn't count. Men's sins. Against them. So they think they're free.

[37:15] No matter how they live. God's. God's a forgiving God. That's his job. That's who he is. He doesn't count men's sins. Against them. He's a God who's laid back.

[37:25] He just overlooks men's sins. It's no big deal to him. That's not what Paul is saying here. All through our Bibles. We see that God does count men's sins.

[37:36] Against them. That's why Paul can say. In verse 10. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. That each one may receive what is due him. For the things done.

[37:47] While in the body. Whether good or bad. There's coming a day when. Your sins that have been counted against you. In the books of heaven. Those books will be opened. And you will be judged.

[37:58] Upon what you have done. God is not a God who doesn't count men's sins. Against them. As if that's true of all men. That that's God's nature. And yet.

[38:10] Paul does say. Not counting men's sins. Against them. Well who are these. Privileged people. It's those who are in Christ.

[38:23] Those who are in Christ. He did not count. Their sins. Against them. And if not against them. Then against who.

[38:33] Verse 21. For God made him. Who had no sin. To become sin for us. That's where he counted the sins. He took them off of. The record of his people.

[38:45] Those who are in Christ. And he put them all on Jesus. And Jesus bore them all to the tree. And suffered eternal damnation. Compressed into those three dark hours on the cross.

[38:56] For all of those. Who are in Christ. Christ. That's how God reconciles the world to himself. So God's wrath is turned away from us.

[39:07] How? By Jesus drinking it down to the last drop on Calvary. Yes. This is God's way of reconciliation.

[39:21] Our sins counted against him. And his righteousness counted to us. So that in him we might become the righteousness of God. That's why Paul cannot figure out any other reason to live than for Jesus Christ.

[39:38] And so. To be a new creature in Christ. Is to have a new relationship with God. In which the old is gone. The new has come. He's no longer my enemy. He's now my. My very best friend.

[39:50] He's now my savior. He's my defense. He's my healer. My helper. He's no longer against me.

[40:05] Even his wrath is no longer against me. It's now on my side. Everything he is is now for me. He's working everything together now for my good.

[40:17] That's not the old way it was. My old relationship. No. It was just waiting until that day of judgment. That's all I had to look forward to. God's wrath and judgment.

[40:28] Eternal hell. But now. Eternal life is before me. We're reconciled. He's my friend. In Christ it's well with my soul.

[40:40] So dear believer. This is your identity in Christ. You have a new relationship with Christ. Are you using that precious privilege? Are you making much of your new relationship with Jesus?

[40:51] New relationship with the Father. With the Holy Spirit. That's your identity. That's your privilege. Oh be what you are. Live in line with what you are. A new man.

[41:02] A new woman. New boy or girl. With a new relationship with God. And lastly in Christ. We're new creatures with a new concern for the lost. In other words.

[41:14] To be reconciled to God. Is to be given a part to play in the ministry of reconciliation to other sinners. Who need to be reconciled. You see that in verses 18 and 19. All of this is from God.

[41:26] Who reconciled us to himself through Christ. And gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ.

[41:36] Not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Reconciliation. Who better to take this gospel message of reconciliation to the world.

[41:52] Than those who have been reconciled with God. Not angels. But reconciled sinners. People that were once enemies of God.

[42:03] And under God's wrath. Now. Reconciled to. Who better to go to the world. And to tell them. About Jesus.

[42:14] Reconciling work. By his perfect obedience. And his. Sacrificial death. Who better to tell the good news. With compassion. For the lost.

[42:26] With joy. The joy of forgiveness. Than those who have. Peace with God. And have tasted this. This salvation. Who better than a David Berkowitz. To come alongside another murderer.

[42:38] And tell them. Where hope in Jesus Christ. Can be found. Who better than. Than Saul of Tarsus. That old Christian killer. Who better than him. To go. To his own Jewish people.

[42:49] And tell them of the Messiah. Jesus. And then to go into all the world. And preach the gospel. To the Gentiles. And who better than you.

[43:02] A new creature in Christ. To go to those. Who are all around you. And to tell them. About the only way. That there's found. Peace between God and man. Through Jesus Christ.

[43:14] And what he's done for sinners. So. So Saul of Tarsus. He's headed to Damascus. Not to preach. At the Christian church there. He's going to try.

[43:24] To track down Christians. Arrest them. And haul them back. And prison them. Some five. Six hundred miles. Back in Jerusalem. Along the way. He meets the risen. Lord Jesus Christ.

[43:35] He falls at his feet. And says. Lord what would you have me to do. Says it'll be told to you. When you get into Damascus. He goes into Damascus. And he's told what to do. What does he do.

[43:47] At once. He starts preaching. Christ. In the synagogues. Isn't that interesting. He's just fresh.

[43:58] Reconciled to God. He's just had the burden. Of his sins thrown off. And set free. From his blindness. And his love of self. And his prejudice. And his hatred of Christ.

[44:10] And now Jesus is altogether lovely. And the first thing he does. Is finds other sinners to tell. And it gets him into trouble. He's persecuted.

[44:20] He can only escape Damascus. By being let out of a window. At night. To get over the wall. And out. Out of trouble. What an amazing thing.

[44:31] I've seen it again. Over and over. As God saves people. One of the first things that happens. They become concerned about others. That's what Paul says.

[44:47] Knowing the fear of the Lord. We persuade men. We know what it's like. To be guilty. Condemned. Under God's wrath. And then to know the joy of sins forgiven.

[44:59] We persuade men. We have this new concern. Returned for the lost. And so he says in verse 20. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors. Ambassadors are sent.

[45:12] By the king. To announce. Not their own word. But the royal king's word. And so we are ambassadors. And we're sent into this world. With the message.

[45:24] The good news. Of the high king of heaven. He's committed to us. The likes of us. This message of reconciliation. Could have committed to angels.

[45:35] No, no, no. No, it must be. Sinners. Who know the kiss of forgiveness. Who know the freedom. Of a slave set free. They must be the ones to go.

[45:47] And to proclaim liberty. For the slaves. And notice how intimately. God is associated with his ambassadors. As they go out. Speaking of Christ. As though God were making his appeal.

[45:59] Through us. Think of that. Almighty God. Making his appeal. Through us. Coming to sinners. Through us. And so we say.

[46:11] We implore you on Christ's behalf. We're not here on our own behalf. We are here on Christ's behalf. Be reconciled to God. Get right with God. That's.

[46:22] That's Christ's heart. That's Christ's spirit. And that's why there's no room for a casual. Take it or leave it. Presentation of the gospel. Well.

[46:33] Well. Here's the Romans road. And I don't care less. I could care less about what you do with it. But I've told you now. So you'll. You'll. You'll meet up with that in the day of judgment. There's absolutely no. Place. For handling the gospel.

[46:44] Why? Because. Christ is making his appeal. Through us. That means our appeal. Must not only be. Right.

[46:55] Truthful. But it must have the same spirit of Jesus. Jesus doesn't have a take it or leave it. Attitude. Whether Jerusalem sinners repent. And trust in him.

[47:06] He's weeping. Because he knows what's coming. And so we make this appeal. On Christ's behalf. We implore you.

[47:18] You know what that word means? We beg you. We urge you. We. We wish we could just pull you. Right into the kingdom of God. There's no take it or leave it attitude.

[47:30] To this word implore. It was said of Robert Murray McShane. Man who died when he was 29. He preached as one who was dying to have you converted.

[47:44] Does anybody know that you're dying to have them converted? Is there anybody that you're praying for? You can't let time go by very long before you're pleading at the throne of grace.

[47:57] For that person to be saved. It means that much to you. And then you seek. And you implore them. You beg them for Christ's sake.

[48:08] To be reconciled to God. That's the way Jesus spread the good news.

[48:20] And by the way. He knows better than anybody else. The end of all. Who perish. Without Christ. He knows hell.

[48:30] He created hell. No wonder he implored people. No wonder he pleaded with people. No wonder he persuaded people. Turn and live.

[48:41] Why will you die? I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. But that they turn and live. This is the heart of Jesus. And we're his ambassadors. Let that spirit more and more.

[48:52] Be the flavor of our hearts. As we live among men and women, boys and girls. With the gospel that reconciles sinners.

[49:04] So whoever you are. Whatever you've done. If anyone is in Christ. New creation. The old is gone. The new has come. So you came in Adam.

[49:16] Under his condemnation. Sin, nature and death. You can leave in Christ. By faith. Embrace him. Cry out to God for mercy. God have mercy to me. A sinner for Jesus sake.

[49:28] Put your trust in Jesus. And you will leave in Christ. So instead of condemnation. Justification. Instead of death. Life. Instead of slavery to the sin nature. Freedom.

[49:39] Freedom. In Christ. And you'll be joined to Christ. As a new creation. You'll live a new life. With a new purpose. To live for him who died for you. With a new view of people.

[49:53] People now to love and serve. And help. A new view of Jesus. It's altogether lovely. A new relationship. With your maker. No longer your enemy.

[50:04] But your best friend. And savior. And a new concern for the lost. Becoming a part of the solution. Because the greatest need this world has. Is Jesus Christ.

[50:17] Who reconciles. Sinners to a holy God. Through his own. Perfect life and death. Believers. This is your new identity in Christ. New creation.

[50:30] Oh then. Be what you are. More and more. Let this new purpose. Shape your life. The rest of this day. The rest of this week.

[50:40] Be asking. What does Jesus want? I live for him. Let this new view of people. And of Christ. Permeate your view of people. In Christ. And. Let your new relationship.

[50:52] With God. Be treasured. And a new concern for the lost. Be seen. Well let's pray together. Oh God.

[51:04] When we think of the infinite chasm. Of our sin. That separated us from you. And would have separated us from you. Forever and ever. How can we thank you enough. That you. In love.

[51:16] Gave your own son. And Lord Jesus. That you would become. Man for us. That you would become. Sin for us. Become a curse for us. That we might.

[51:28] Become the righteousness of God. Right with God. Through your reconciling blood. And we do feel. Every one of us who are in Christ. Do feel.

[51:40] This new purpose in life. But we. Confess. We. We often slip back. With ourselves at the center. Forgive us. And thank you that the blood of Jesus.

[51:51] Cleanses. From all sin. And so. Would you please. Help us to more and more. Be marked as. As people. Who are new creatures.

[52:01] Getting ready for this new creation. That's coming. Becoming more and more. People who are shaped by this. This new identity. That we have.

[52:12] The new purpose. The new view. Of people. And the new relationship. And the new concern. We ask. Do it for Jesus sake. He's worthy. Of having such a people.

[52:23]  We ask in his name. Amen.