This document discusses how for those who are in Christ, all things have become new. It notes that for Christians, the old has passed away and problems from the past are gone. Now, every day is a new start as a new creation in Christ. Christians have been reconciled to God, are ambassadors representing Christ on Earth, and can live righteously through Him. The focus going forward should be spiritual rather than material concerns, maintaining friendship with God, and keeping their conduct right in His sight.

1. ALL THINGS ARE NEW
2 Corinthians 5:16-21

2. All Things are New

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 16 Therefore,
from now on, we regard no one
according to the flesh. Even though we
have known Christ according to the
flesh, yet now we know Him thus no
longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things
have become new.

3. THE OLD IS GONE

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is
in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have
become new.

Last year's problems – GONE
− Sickness, financial problems, work issues
− Personal hardships, sin / moral struggles

Last year's success – GONE
− Can't rest on past, keep working

4. THE OLD IS GONE

In the past -
− Fleshly lusts, materialistic thinking
− Focus on sports, recreation, fun

Philippians 3:12 Brethren, I do not count
myself to have apprehended; but one thing
I do, forgetting those things which are
behind and reaching forward to those
things which are ahead,

Put the past in the past – leave it there

5. ALL IS NEW

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is
in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things
have become new.

ALL THINGS – not just some of them

New Birth = New Start – New beginning

Lamentations 3:23 They are new every
morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Every year / every day is a new start

6. ALL IS NEW

Reconciled

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 18 Now all things
are of God, who has reconciled us to
Himself through Jesus Christ, and has
given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19
that is, that God was in Christ reconciling
the world to Himself, not imputing their
trespasses to them, and has committed to
us the word of reconciliation.

7. ALL IS NEW

Reconciled

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Reconcile = bring back to friendship

We returned with a fresh start

8. ALL IS NEW

Ambassadors

2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God
were pleading through us: we implore you
on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

An ambassador represents the one in
power and authority

We now represent Christ on earth

9. ALL IS NEW

Righteousness

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who
knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might
become the righteousness of God in Him.

Righteous = made to be right

Now we are doing what is right in the sight
of God

10. ALL IS OF GOD

2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of
God, who has reconciled us to Himself
through Jesus Christ, and has given us the
ministry of reconciliation,

James 1:17 Every good gift and every
perfect gift is from above, and comes down
from the Father of lights, with whom there
is no variation or shadow of turning.

11. THIS IS A NEW BEGINNING

Our focus should be:

Spiritual – not material

Reconciliation – friendship with God

Ambassadors – represent God on earth

Righteousness – keep doing what is right

12. THIS IS A NEW BEGINNING

THE OLD IS GONE

ALL IS NEW

ALL IS OF GOD