Real Change

II Cor. 5:17

I. The Way – if any man be in Christ

77 times we find the phrase "in Christ" in the Bible. Here's a few of them:
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Note: It doesn't say:
• If any man be in a church...
• If any man be in a religious family...
• If any man be in a Bible study...
• If any man be in Bible college...
It says: If any man be in CHRIST! There's a HUGE difference!
Jesus said as plain as day:
• Matthew 7:13,14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
• John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Are you IN CHRIST? Are you clothed with His righteousness? When the world looks at you, do they see YOU or HIM? If you are IN HIM, then they will see HIM!!
Furthermore, there will be NO CHANGE apart from being IN HIM.

II. The Work – he is a new creature

• Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
• Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Becoming a new creature is a result of:
A. The Will of God – God hath foreordained that we should walk in them
B. The Word of God – see Genesis 1; God creates with His Word
• Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,

III. The Washing – old things are passed away

You can't wash it off! You can't get rid of it; but HE CAN!!
• Washing removes what is unclean
• Washing removes what is unwanted
• Washing removes what is ugly
• Washing removes what is unscriptural

It's a Powerful Washing
• I Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

It's a Progressive Washing
• Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;It's a Permanent Washing – passed away!!
• 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. •
Psalms 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

IV. The Wonder – behold, all things are become new.

Behold!! – to see; to observe; Real change is something to behold! It is amazing what God can do! His change is not only a washing, but it is wonderful!

He said ALL THINGS are become new, he meant ALL THINGS! People will have -

New Direction

• Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; .
New Deeds
• Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; • Acts 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. New Doctrine
• Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

New Desires

• Proverbs 21:10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil:
• 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

New Destination

• Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Conclusion: Has He changed you? Have you been really, changed? If not, you've never been saved!