NEW CREATION
Renewed #1
Pastor Brandon Cross
Woodland Church
Sunday, August 2, 2026
(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.”
MAIN IDEA:
When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we are to live a life that provides evidence of His transformative power to the world around us.
1. New identity: In Christ: Being united with Jesus through faith.
- You are deeply loved and chosen
Ref. Ephesians 1:3-6, Ephesians 2:10
- You are fully forgiven – Ref. Psalm 103:12
APPLICATION:
We need to accept that by repenting and proclaiming Jesus as our Savior means that we are chosen by God for His plan of salvation and walk confidently in the knowledge that we are deeply loved and fully forgiven. We are not bound by our weaknesses or shortcomings.
2. New creation: A deep inner change made by God’s Holy Spirit.
(Ephesians 4:24) “And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
- The Past is Gone
- A Fresh Start
- Live for God
- Daily Growth (Progress not Perfection)
- Grace in Failure
(Psalm 51:10-11) “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”
APPLICATION:
We are all a work in process and need to not only strive to grow each day but also give ourselves grace in our shortcomings. We need to strive to put distance between ourselves daily from who we were before Christ and who we are BECOMING as we grow closer to Jesus.
3. Old things passed away: Past sins, old habits, and the old way of living are gone.
Ref. Galatians 6:14-15
- Dead to the World
- Reject pride/self-sufficiency: It’s all about Jesus!
Ref. Philippians 1:3-6
APPLICATION:
We are no longer ruled by the thoughts, emotions, values or priorities of who we were before Jesus or who we were 1 year ago. We are to chase a life of serving and pleasing Him as our top priority and to CHOOSE daily to move away from things that cause us to “fall”. He will enable us to overcome our weaknesses by our submission to Him.
4. All things become new: A fresh life filled with God’s love and purpose begins.
- Evidence of the New Life
- Focus on the Eternal
APPLICATION:
Our lives should demonstrate outward evidence of the inward transformation of Jesus in us. Our relationships, attitudes, priorities and perspective should reflect the humility and confidence of who He is and what He has promised us. We should be able to show love, compassion, and peace in the midst of the most trying circumstances.
CALL TO ACTION:
- Accept grace: Believe that your past sins are fully forgiven and let go of lingering guilt.
- Shift your identity: See yourself through God’s eyes as righteous and holy, rather than defined by past mistakes.
- Worship daily: Thank God in prayer for the spiritual rebirth and the fresh start you have been given