The contrast between the way of the world and the way of Christ is like night and day. n Everyone...

The contrast between the way of the world The contrast between the way of the world and the way of Christ is like night and day.and the way of Christ is like night and day.

Everyone who comes to Christ must make a Everyone who comes to Christ must make a complete change. complete change. (Acts 26:16-18)(Acts 26:16-18)


(Acts 26:16-18 NKJV)(Acts 26:16-18 NKJV) - “’But rise and - “’But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.reveal to you. {17} {17} ‘I will deliver you from ‘I will deliver you from the the Jewish Jewish people, as well as people, as well as from from the the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,Gentiles, to whom I now send you,


{18} {18} ‘to open their eyes, ‘to open their eyes, in order in order to turn to turn them them from darkness to lightfrom darkness to light, and , and from from the the power of Satan to Godpower of Satan to God, that they may , that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’”by faith in Me.’”


The change is so complete that our past The change is so complete that our past ways are "put to death." ways are "put to death." (Rom 8:13; 1 Pet 2:24)(Rom 8:13; 1 Pet 2:24)


(Romans 8:13 NKJV)(Romans 8:13 NKJV) - “For if you live - “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”body, you will live.”


(1 Peter 2:24 NKJV)(1 Peter 2:24 NKJV) - “who Himself bore - “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.”healed.”


The change is so great that it is hard for one The change is so great that it is hard for one who has not been converted to understand.who has not been converted to understand.



How does one find this kind of new life?How does one find this kind of new life?



How does one find this kind of new life?How does one find this kind of new life? Paul in this chapter reveals the motivation Paul in this chapter reveals the motivation

that he and every other Christian that walks that he and every other Christian that walks by faith has.by faith has.


The change is so great that it is hard for one who The change is so great that it is hard for one who has not been converted to understand.has not been converted to understand.

How does one find this kind of new life?How does one find this kind of new life? Paul in this chapter reveals the motivation that he Paul in this chapter reveals the motivation that he

and every other Christian that walks by faith has.and every other Christian that walks by faith has. There is a huge difference between the converted There is a huge difference between the converted

and the one who is only and the one who is only convinced.convinced.

The New Hope (5:1-9)The New Hope (5:1-9)

(2 Corinthians 5:1-9 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 5:1-9 NKJV) “For we “For we know that if our earthly house, know that if our earthly house, this this tent, is tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.heavens. {2} {2} For in this we groan, earnestly For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,which is from heaven, {3} {3} if indeed, having if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.been clothed, we shall not be found naked.


{4} {4} For we who are in For we who are in this this tent groan, being tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.swallowed up by life. {5} {5} Now He who has Now He who has prepared us for this very thing prepared us for this very thing is is God, who also God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. {6} {6} So So we we are are always confident, knowing that while we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.Lord.


{7} {7} For we walk by faith, not by sight.For we walk by faith, not by sight. {8} {8} We are confident, yes, well pleased rather We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.with the Lord. {9} {9} Therefore we make it our Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”pleasing to Him.”


In the earlier chapter Paul showed how a In the earlier chapter Paul showed how a clear view of eternity causes one to not lose clear view of eternity causes one to not lose heart. heart. (2 Cor 4:16-18)(2 Cor 4:16-18)


(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV) - - “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward the inward man man is being renewed day by is being renewed day by day.day. {17} {17} For our light affliction, which is For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding more exceeding and and eternal weight of glory,eternal weight of glory,


{18} {18} while we do not look at the things while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen not seen. For the things which are seen are are temporary, but the things which are not temporary, but the things which are not seen seen are are eternal.”eternal.”


He now shows more detail into this highly He now shows more detail into this highly desired final home. Our body is seen to be desired final home. Our body is seen to be only a temporary shell. only a temporary shell. (5:1; Jas 2:26)(5:1; Jas 2:26)


(James 2:26 NKJV)(James 2:26 NKJV) – – For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.


The Christian "groans" to have this place. The Christian "groans" to have this place. (5:2-3)(5:2-3)



When we can groan for heaven, the power When we can groan for heaven, the power of God will be strong in our lives. Now we of God will be strong in our lives. Now we will obey even when we suffer.will obey even when we suffer.



When we can groan for heaven, the power When we can groan for heaven, the power of God will be strong in our lives. Now we of God will be strong in our lives. Now we will obey even when we suffer.will obey even when we suffer.

What does eternity mean?What does eternity mean?


It means a place of immortality. It means a place of immortality. (5:4; 1 Cor 15:54-58)(5:4; 1 Cor 15:54-58)


(1 Corinthians 15:54-58 NKJV)(1 Corinthians 15:54-58 NKJV) - “So when - “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”“Death is swallowed up in victory.” {55} {55} “O “O Death, where Death, where is is your sting? O Hades, where your sting? O Hades, where is is your victory?”your victory?” {56} {56} The sting of death The sting of death is is sin, sin, and the strength of sin and the strength of sin is is the law.the law.


{57} {57} But thanks But thanks be be to God, who gives us the to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. {58} {58} Therefore, my beloved brethren, be Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”labor is not in vain in the Lord.”


How does this world look from this view? How does this world look from this view? (Rom 8:18)(Rom 8:18)


(Romans 8:18 NKJV)(Romans 8:18 NKJV) - “For I consider - “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy not worthy to be compared to be compared with the glory with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”which shall be revealed in us.”


The Holy Spirit gives us this assurance.The Holy Spirit gives us this assurance.


The Holy Spirit gives us this assurance.The Holy Spirit gives us this assurance. The Spirit revealed gospel gives us hope. The Spirit revealed gospel gives us hope.

(Col 1:4-5)(Col 1:4-5)


(Colossians 1:4-5 NKJV)(Colossians 1:4-5 NKJV) - “since we - “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;your love for all the saints; {5} {5} because of because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,”the truth of the gospel,”


There is also a "down payment" of the There is also a "down payment" of the Spirit. Spirit. (5:5; 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:14)(5:5; 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:14)


(2 Corinthians 1:22 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 1:22 NKJV) - “who also - “who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”hearts as a guarantee.”


(Ephesians 1:14 NKJV)(Ephesians 1:14 NKJV) - “who is the - “who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”the praise of His glory.”


This is described as an “earnest” (guarantee This is described as an “earnest” (guarantee –NKJ).–NKJ).


transliterated from the Hebrew; literally, as transliterated from the Hebrew; literally, as a legal and commercial technical term, an a legal and commercial technical term, an advance transaction that guarantees the advance transaction that guarantees the validity of a contract or a full purchase validity of a contract or a full purchase price price down payment, first installment, down payment, first installment, pledgepledge; figuratively in the NT, of ; figuratively in the NT, of the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers (2C the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers (2C 1.22) 1.22)


What is “earnest money” compared to the What is “earnest money” compared to the full value? full value? (Eph 3:20-21)(Eph 3:20-21)


Ephesians 3:20-21Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to Him who is - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him that works in us, 21 to Him be be glory in the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.forever and ever. Amen.


The motivation we have of heaven is that The motivation we have of heaven is that we will be with the Lord!we will be with the Lord!


The motivation we have of heaven is that The motivation we have of heaven is that we will be with the Lord!we will be with the Lord!

Can we have assurance of salvation? Yes! Can we have assurance of salvation? Yes! (5:6-8; 1 Jn 5:13)(5:6-8; 1 Jn 5:13)


(1 John 5:13 NKJV)(1 John 5:13 NKJV) - “These things I - “These things I have written to you who believe in the have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that know that you have eternal life, and that you may you may continue to continue to believe in the name of believe in the name of the Son of God.”the Son of God.”


We have assurance because of the promises We have assurance because of the promises of God. We stand justified by faith! of God. We stand justified by faith! (Rom 10:13)(Rom 10:13)


Romans 10:13Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the - For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”name of the LORD shall be saved.”


What do you look forward to in heaven? What do you look forward to in heaven? (5:9; Phil 1:20-23;1 Thess 4:17)(5:9; Phil 1:20-23;1 Thess 4:17)


(Philippians 1:20-23 NKJV)(Philippians 1:20-23 NKJV) - “according to - “according to my earnest expectation and hope that in my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.death. {21} {21} For to me, to live For to me, to live is is Christ, and to Christ, and to die die is is gain.gain. {22} {22} But if But if I I live on in the flesh, live on in the flesh, this this will mean will mean fruit from fruit from my my labor; yet what I labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.shall choose I cannot tell.


{23} {23} For I am hard pressed between the For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, Christ, which is which is far better.”far better.”


(1 Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV) - “Then we - “Then we who are alive who are alive and and remain shall be caught up remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”with the Lord.”


If our motivation is something else besides If our motivation is something else besides seeing and being with the Lord then we seeing and being with the Lord then we need to look closely at our faith. Do you need to look closely at our faith. Do you know the Lord?know the Lord?

The New Urgency (5:10-11)The New Urgency (5:10-11)

(2 Corinthians 5:10-11 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 5:10-11 NKJV) “For we “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things Christ, that each one may receive the things done done in the body, according to what he has in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.done, whether good or bad. {11} {11} Knowing, Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your also trust are well known in your consciences.”consciences.”


What will make a man urgent about the What will make a man urgent about the gospel?gospel?


What will make a man urgent about the What will make a man urgent about the gospel?gospel?

The world does not care! They do not want The world does not care! They do not want to know. to know. (1 Thess 5:1-3)(1 Thess 5:1-3)


(1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NKJV) - “But - “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.you have no need that I should write to you. {2} {2} For you yourselves know perfectly that the For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.night. {3} {3} For when they say, “Peace and For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”And they shall not escape.”


We however, know! Are we urgent?We however, know! Are we urgent?


We however, know! Are we urgent?We however, know! Are we urgent? One of the problems we face is that we do One of the problems we face is that we do

not know the time and therefore tend to not know the time and therefore tend to forget how frail we are.forget how frail we are.


There is only one answer to our urgency …. There is only one answer to our urgency …. Be ready, stay ready! Be ready, stay ready! (Mt 24:43-44)(Mt 24:43-44)


(Matthew 24:43-44 NKJV)(Matthew 24:43-44 NKJV) - “”But know - “”But know this, that if the master of the house had this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.house to be broken into. {44} {44} “Therefore “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”coming at an hour you do not expect.”


How does an urgent person act? (Ex. How does an urgent person act? (Ex. Supermarket game show)Supermarket game show)


Repentance cannot come unless a man sees Repentance cannot come unless a man sees that he is wrong.that he is wrong.

The New Mind (5:12-21)The New Mind (5:12-21)

(2 Corinthians 5:12-21 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 5:12-21 NKJV) - “For we - “For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have that you may have an answer an answer for those who for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.boast in appearance and not in heart. {13} {13} For if we are beside ourselves, For if we are beside ourselves, it is it is for God; for God; or if we are of sound mind, or if we are of sound mind, it is it is for you.for you.


{14} {14} For the love of Christ compels us, For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;then all died; {15} {15} and He died for all, that and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.rose again. {16} {16} Therefore, from now on, we Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know flesh, yet now we know Him thus Him thus no longer.no longer.


{17} {17} Therefore, if anyone Therefore, if anyone is is in Christ, in Christ, he is he is a new creation; old things have passed a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.away; behold, all things have become new. {18} {18} Now all things Now all things are are of God, who has of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,reconciliation,


{19} {19} that is, that God was in Christ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.committed to us the word of reconciliation. {20} {20} Now then, we are ambassadors for Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore through us: we implore you you on Christ’s on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.behalf, be reconciled to God.


{21} {21} For He made Him who knew no sin For He made Him who knew no sin to to be be sin for us, that we might become the sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” righteousness of God in Him.”


Paul unfortunately had to deal with those in Paul unfortunately had to deal with those in the church who still had the "old the church who still had the "old mind". mind". (5:12-13)(5:12-13)


(2 Corinthians 5:12-13 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 5:12-13 NKJV) “For we “For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have that you may have an answer an answer for those who for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.boast in appearance and not in heart. {13} {13} For if we are beside ourselves, For if we are beside ourselves, it is it is for God; for God; or if we are of sound mind, or if we are of sound mind, it is it is for you.for you.


There were those who actively sought to There were those who actively sought to tear Paul down. They worked within their tear Paul down. They worked within their own group of self-praise. own group of self-praise. (2 Cor 10:12,18)(2 Cor 10:12,18)


(2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV) - “For we - “For we dare not class ourselves or compare dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”among themselves, are not wise.”


(2 Corinthians 10:18 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 10:18 NKJV) - “For not he - “For not he who commends himself is approved, but who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”whom the Lord commends.”


To the worldly mind the spiritual person is To the worldly mind the spiritual person is crazy! crazy! (1 Pet 4:3-5)(1 Pet 4:3-5)


(1 Peter 4:3-5 NKJV)(1 Peter 4:3-5 NKJV) - “For we - “For we have have spent spent enough of our past lifetime in doing enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles; when we walked in the will of the Gentiles; when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. {4} {4} In regard to these, they think it strange In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with that you do not run with them them in the same in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. you.


{5} {5} They will give an account to Him who They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”is ready to judge the living and the dead.”


The new mind is moved by the love of God. The new mind is moved by the love of God. (5:14-15)(5:14-15)


(2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NKJV) - - {14} {14} For For the love of Christ compels us, because we the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;died; {15} {15} and He died for all, that those and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.and rose again.


What has Christ done for you? What has Christ done for you? (Rom 5:6-8)(Rom 5:6-8)


(Romans 5:6-8 NKJV)(Romans 5:6-8 NKJV) - “For when we - “For when we were still without strength, in due time were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.Christ died for the ungodly. {7} {7} For For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.even dare to die. {8} {8} But God demonstrates But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”were still sinners, Christ died for us.”


This Christ like mind will change how you This Christ like mind will change how you view everything. view everything.


When you are alive from the dead, then When you are alive from the dead, then your values change. (Ex. Man about to die your values change. (Ex. Man about to die worked to settle grudges.)worked to settle grudges.)


When you are alive from the dead, then When you are alive from the dead, then your values change. (Ex. Man about to die your values change. (Ex. Man about to die worked to settle grudges.)worked to settle grudges.)

The basis of our justification is the blood of The basis of our justification is the blood of ChristChrist. (5:18-21). (5:18-21)


(2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NKJV) - - Now all Now all things things are are of God, who has reconciled us to of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,us the ministry of reconciliation, {19} {19} that that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.the word of reconciliation.


{20} {20} Now then, we are ambassadors for Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore through us: we implore you you on Christ’s on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.behalf, be reconciled to God. {21} {21} For He For He made Him who knew no sin made Him who knew no sin to be to be sin for us, sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”God in Him.”


Here we see the meaning of a free gift. Here we see the meaning of a free gift. (Eph 2:8-9)(Eph 2:8-9)


(Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)(Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV) “For by grace “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; not of yourselves; it is it is the gift of God,the gift of God, {9} {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast.”not of works, lest anyone should boast.”


We also learn about a living faith that We also learn about a living faith that obeys. obeys. (Gal 5:6)(Gal 5:6)


(Galatians 5:6 NKJV)(Galatians 5:6 NKJV) “For in Christ Jesus “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through avails anything, but faith working through love.”love.”


Is your religion new?Is your religion new?

The contrast between the way of the world and the way of Christ is like night and day. n Everyone...

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