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The Resurrection changes everything – week 6
10 May - A New Creation
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5 v.14-21
We continue with our series “The resurrection changes everything” and today think about Paul’s words to the church in Corinth explaining how, as people “in Christ”, they are new creations. In today’s passage, there is a firm reminder that, as people of faith, we are made new by Christ’s death.
Icebreaker
I imagine that you will be doing your home group tonight by Zoom. This may be easy for some of you but need a bit of practise with the technology for others! I invite you to look at this beautiful National Geographic mini film of the life cycle of a butterfly. To do this, click on the link below and the video will open in You Tube. Pause it. Once you are in your Zoom meeting, click on “share screen” and then select the video and play it. All should able to watch it. At the end, click “stop sharing” and it will take you back to the Zoom meeting.
https://youtu.be/kVm5k99PnBk
Discuss: In what way (or not!) is the butterfly’s emergence from the chrysalis a good analogy for you being a “new creation” through Christ’s death? You may want to think about both. The spiritual and physical aspects of transformation. If you are unable to show the video, then just discuss – maybe ask people to prepare by finding some pictures of to reflect on before the meeting.
In 2 Corinthians 3-7 Paul reviews his ministry as Christ’s ambassador among the people of Corinth to demonstrate the validity of his message and to urge them not to turn away from the truth. After all, there were many false teachers around who would be able to lead them astray. Central to this treatise is perhaps Paul’s words on being “a new creation” which we will look at today.
Please read 2 Corinthians 5 v 14-21
Q1: What compels Paul to carry on his preaching among the Corinthians? Who is he living for?
The answer lies in v 14-15. Christ’s love compels Paul and Timothy to carry on preaching. Their agenda is not their own, but they live for Jesus, who died and was raised again.
Q2: How do we feel about “no longer living for ourselves” but living for Christ? What evidence do we see that we and others are living their daily lives in this way in the 21st Century?
It is a big deal and sometimes hard to quite know what it means. Most of us must get on with earning a living, raising children, looking after parents, volunteering at church and all the myriad other things normal life comprises of. But it is how we do it and how we prioritise our things in our lives which marks us out as people of God who are marching to a different drum beat to the secular world around us.
Q3: Re-read v17. What does it mean to be a “new creation” in Christ for us, in our lives?
Reflect again on the ice breaker and to draw out some thoughts from that. Two thoughts:
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We clearly have the same bodies pre- and post- our profession of faith. Although we do see a physical transformation as people realise their worth and start to value themselves - there is a new light shining in their eyes.
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We may not always feel like new creations – in fact, some days we may feel decidedly “yesterday” but Paul’s words are a statement of spiritual truth, not just of feeling. We are renewed, full stop. Believe it!
Q4: In v17 Paul says, “the old has gone, the new has come”. What is the “old” and what is the “new”
The “old” is our sinful selves, unreconciled to God. The “new” is us reconciled to God through the death and resurrection of Jesus our saviour. So, we can see that this is the spiritual truth of renewal. Jesus’ death has made all the difference. I have a Columbian friend who is applying for British citizenship. When she finally gets it after lock-down, irrespective of how she feels she will be British citizen – not and old temporary visa holder, but a new citizen with all the privileges that brings. I know it will make her happy but, importantly, will bring a new security and a new identity in many ways.
Q5: Read v 21 again. What does it mean “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us”?
An alternative translation shown in the NIV study bible footnote is “God made him who had no sin to be a sin offering.” In other words, the OT tradition of sin offerings to atone for sin are gone – Jesus did it once and for all.
Please read Isaiah 53 v 5-6.
Q6: How does this prophesy links with today’s passage in 2 Corinthians? (Optional addition if time) Did Jesus die because God was angry or because he loved us?
Application
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Just as you might gain citizenship of a nation, so you are a “new creation” as people of God. Hold onto this through the uncertainties of life and especially CV-19. Our faith is not built on feeling but on the certainty of a new life in Christ.
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Our faith is not built on the absence of suffering -Jesus suffered terribly and, in many ways, so did Paul in his ministry. It is built on the promise of life reconciled with God.
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Tell others the good news. As Paul says, we are His ambassadors.
Prayer
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Let your discussions and reflections during this study lead you into prayer.
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Pray that Jesus would give you faith and the courage to live as a “new creation” for Him.
Phil Marlow
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Phil Marlow, 28/03/2020
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