I make all things new

"I make all things new"

January 3, 2010

Introduction

We called last Friday New Year’s Day. Exactly what does that mean? We have a real appreciation for new things. Several years ago, in one of my sermons, I made the comment that children were full of life and energy and could get around so well be “They had all new parts.”

We have members who have had knees replaced and heart valves replaced and different part of our bodies that no longer function properly, but in Revelation 21:5, we have this tremendous statement: “Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

Look at the statement: "Behold, I make all things new." That’s not just a knee or heart valve or live, that’s “all things.” And that is wonderful! How and when does this take place? Let’s read the context of the verse:

(Rev 21:1-8 NKJV) Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. {2} Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. {3} And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. {4} "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." {5} Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." {6} And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. {7} "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. {8} "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

God is the One Who has the power to make all things new. There will be two groups of people that day: "[Those] who overcomes shall inherit all things,” and “[The others] shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

The new, while it is not compete, begins now. (2 Cor 5:17 NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” How do we get into Christ? How does this new life begin? The Bible talks about how this happens with several different analogies.

Let’s begin with one that is very simple and direct. (Gal 3:27 NKJV) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Body

I. What does the Bible say about baptism?

Paul describes it as symbolizing burial with Christ.

(Rom 6:1-4 NKJV) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? {2} Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? {3} Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? {4} Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1. Paul speaks of it symbolizing dying to sin.

(Rom 6:2) “How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

2. Do we understand that baptism symbolizes death?

(Rom 6:3) Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Is dying easy?

1. In the case of physical death.

a. Some people experience a very easy death, even dying in their sleep.

b. Others die a long painful death such as those who die with cancer.

2. In the case of spiritual death.

a. Young children who come to Christ, have very little to repent of.

b. Some who are older have lived in sins that is very difficult to give up.

(1) Some have habits that have become addictions.

(2) Some have become so accustomed to doing certain things that are wrong that it is very difficult to change.

We die by way of repentance.

1. Christ spoke of the necessity of repentance.

(Luke 13:1-3 NKJV) There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. {2} And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? {3} "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

2. Repentance is more than godly sorrow.

(2 Cor 7:10 NKJV) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

3. Repentance produces a changed life.

(Acts 3:19 NKJV) "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

II. Being baptized is part of obeying the gospel.

The gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

(1 Cor 15:1-4 NKJV) Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, {2} by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain. {3} For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

Each of these three is symbolized in baptism.
These are called the gospel.

(1 Cor 15:1-4 NKJV) Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,

Obeying the gospel is essential to our salvation.

(2 Th 1:6-8 NKJV) since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, {7} and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, {8} in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Finally, baptism is also called the new birth.

(John 3:1-3 NKJV) There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. {2} This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." {3} Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

A. Jesus further explains what He means.

(John 3:4-6 NKJV) Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" {5} Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. {6} "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

born of water = Baptism
born of . . . the Spirit, has reference to the spiritual part of our baptism. Repentance and dying to sin.

The importance is underlined.

(John 3:3) Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Conclusion

I. Have you been born again?

II. Are you ready to begin a new life in Christ Jesus?

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