????️️JESUS STORY, JESUS GLORY! ????️
I''M JUST BLESSED TO TELL IT!

. "NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS!"
.. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH BROADCAST
Pastor Joe N. White Jr., and Lady Donna White
Sunday, June 12, 2021
. Evg. Subrina White 501-612-0271

INTRODUCTION

According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, a great change takes place in the life of one who is a Christian. If you have put on Christ through baptism Galatians 3:27, this means you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, this means you have turned from your old life. They baptized in the name of Jesus in the book of Acts because the cleansing blood that forgives our sins is in the name of Jesus. This is why Jesus told them in Matthew 28:19 to use the name, HIS NAME; JESUS for baptism, beginning at Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost. This is where the church was birthed and the Holy Ghost was given during the upper room experience in the 2nd chapter Acts and God is still giving the Holy Ghost that same way even TO THIS DAY!

Before you can be a New Creature in Christ you have to the New Birth this is what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3-5. Jesus didn’t pull any punches; HE was to the point and clear. As also in Acts 10:44 and Acts 19:5. You must be born again of water and Spirit and that is with speaking in tongues according to the scriptures. Acts 2:38; John 3:5.

But what does this change mean?

I. SITTING WITH CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES Ephesians 2:6

A. OUR FORMER CONDITION.

1. We were dead in sin Ep 2:1
2. We were quite active, walking and following after:

a. The world
b. Satan
c. The flesh Ephesians 2:2-3

B. OUR CURRENT CONDITION.

1. Out of love, mercy, and grace, we who were dead are now alive! Ephesians 2:4-5; Romans 5:6-8

2. Now we are blessed to be:

a. Raised with Christ Ephesians 2:6a; Col 2:12; 3:1
b. Seated with Him in "heavenly places" Ephesians 2:6

Definition of "heavenly places"

a. "the heavenlies", found in Ephesians 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12

b. Various explanations often are given: the church, heaven proper, the spiritual realm

Most likely refers to the "spiritual realm" as contrasted to the physical realm

In the spiritual realm, we wrestle against spiritual wickedness - Ephesians 6:12

3. Compare our position with Christ in the "heavenly places"

a. Christ is seated at God's right hand Ephesians 1:20
b. We are seated together with Christ! Ephesians 2:6

4. Our position with Christ certainly warrants a proper frame of mind - Colossians 3:1-2

a. We are to seek those things above
b. We are to set our minds on thing above

II. WALKING IN MANNER WORTHY OF OUR CALLING Ephesians 4:1

A. THE PURPOSE OF OUR CALLING.

1. To be holy and without blame Ephesians 1:3-4

2. To be His beloved children through adoption Ephesians 1:5

B. A WALK WORTHY OF OUR CALLING.

1. Is one in which we "walk in love" Ephesians 5:1-2

a. As beloved children, imitating their Father
b. Following Christ's own example of sacrifice

2. Is one in which we "walk as light" Ephesians 5:3-14

a. Living lives holy and without blame
b. As light exposing the deeds of darkness by way of contrast

3. Is one in which we "walk as wise" Ephesians 5:15-17

a. Understanding that time is short
b. Understanding the will of the Lord

Walking in "love", as "light", as "wise", will not be without controversy in the midst of a dark, perverted world ( 2 Timothy 3:12). And so "A New Creation" is to be.

III. STANDING FIRM IN BATTLE - Ephesians 6:13

A. THE NATURE OF OUR BATTLE.
1. We are engaged in a spiritual warfare Ephesians 6:12

a. The battle is taking place in "heavenly places" (the spiritual realm)
b. Our foe: the very things we had previously followed. Ephesians 2:2-3

2. Thus the need to be strong Ephesians 6:10
a. To be strong in the Lord
b. To be strong in the power of His might

B. THE NATURE OF OUR ARMOR...

1. We are given the armor of God, which we must put on Ephesians 6:11,13

2. This armor is adequate for a strong offensive battle Ephesians 6:14-18

a. Waist girded with truth
b. Breastplate of righteousness
c. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
d. Shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one
e. Helmet of salvation
f. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God

CONCLUSION

What a remarkable contrast! Truly "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Has this proved true in our lives?

IF you desire to be "A New Creation" in Christ! CALL PASTOR JOE WHITE AT 501-612-0271