Main Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things

have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus

Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation."

Key Themes:

1. Reconciliation Begins in Christ

◦ True transformation happens in Christ—not through good works or self-effort.

◦ God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

2. You Belong to God

◦ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "You are not your own; you were bought at a price."

◦ Many people try to add Jesus to their lives rather than fully surrendering to Him.

◦ God doesn’t do "timeshares" with our lives—He wants everything, not just a portion.

3. God Provides What He Requires

◦ Everything God asks of us, He also provides the grace to fulfill.

◦ Just as in education or training, high expectations come with high investment.

◦ Salvation is by grace through faith plus nothing (Ephesians 2:8-9).

4. With Reconciliation Comes with Responsibility

◦ Reconciliation not just a personal benefit; it’s a calling to extend it to others.

◦ We are reassigned after being reconciled—called to help restore others.

◦ The message must be shared, not just received.

5. Seeing People as God Sees Them

◦ Don't look away from the broken, hurting, or lost—see them, engage with them.

◦ True reconciliation requires recognition:

▪ Recognizing God's nature and human nature.

▪ Understanding that all people are created in God’s image (Imago Dei), even if they don’t yet reflect it.

6. Conciliation Before Reconciliation

◦ Reconciliation requires addressing what caused the division.

◦ No reconciliation without recognition and repentance.

◦ Applies to racial issues, family conflicts, and most importantly, our relationship with God.

7. Understand Human Nature

◦ The human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).

◦ People want a god that serves them, but the true God is the one they must serve.8. Indicators of the true God:

9. 10. • Is from everlasting to everlasting

• Known to Adam, Abraham, Moses and the even the pagans of every generation

• Has the power to create, destroy, heal and reform

• Passes final judgment

• Knows the motivations of the heart

• Has purpose that transcends self-serving interests of people

• Manifests His presence in the earth through the Holy Spirit

• Has a son name Jesus Christ, who is God the Son

The Power of the Gospel

◦ Salvation only comes through the message of Jesus' death, burial, and

resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

◦ The gospel itself is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16).

◦ Our role is to preach Jesus, not just share opinions or impress people.

The Prodigal Son: A Picture of Reconciliation (Luke 15:11-31)

◦ God eagerly watches for people to return to Him.

◦ When the prodigal son came to himself, he repented and returned.

◦ The Father welcomed him back with open arms, showing God’s heart.

◦ Don’t be jealous when God restores others—join in the mission of

reconciliation.

Final Charge: Be Ministers of Reconciliation

• Recognize that all people belong to God.

• Share the gospel because salvation only comes through hearing and receiving it.

• Help bring prodigals home to God.

• Understand that God does not throw people away—He restores them.

This sermon powerfully emphasizes the responsibility of believers to not only receive

reconciliation but actively extend it to others. It challenges listeners to fully surrender to

Christ, recognize the power of the gospel, and help others find their way back to God.

This talk emphasizes the biblical truth that when a person is in Christ, they become a new creation—old things pass away, and all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). The speaker highlights that believers do not have a “timeshare” relationship with God; rather, He owns our entire lives because He has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ.

Key points include:

• Total Ownership by God: Salvation, blessings, grace, and provision all come from Him. Believers belong fully to God, as stated in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
• The Price of Redemption: Jesus gave His whole life to save us, so in return, we should fully dedicate ourselves to Him.
• Understanding Our New Creation: The greatest blessings, purpose, and provision come when we accept that we belong to God and trust Him fully.

In this special edition of the Firm Foundation Podcast, recorded at Wheeler Mission Ministries, Dr. Bryan Hudson teaches from 2 Corinthians 5:17, emphasizing the concept of New Creation Realities—the transformation that occurs when a person is in Christ.

1. New Creation in Christ

   • When someone is in Christ, they are not just improved but entirely transformed.
   • Old things (sin, pride, and past failures) pass away, and all things become new—not new things, but a renewed life and mindset.

2. Personal Testimony of Transformation

   • Dr. Hudson shares his own salvation story (July 8, 1978), when his pride was broken after a disappointing art exhibit experience.
   • That moment led him to seek Jesus, and he experienced instant peace, replacing the mental chaos he once lived with.

3. The Importance of Being ‘In Christ’

   • He emphasizes that being in Christ is the starting point for true solutions in life.
   • Salvation doesn’t immediately fix all problems, but God begins the process of transformation in every aspect—spiritual, mental, financial, and emotional.

4. The Process of Change

   • Three Aspects of Transformation:
     • Rebirth – Being born again spiritually.
     • Restoration – God removes the rust of past sins and habits, much like restoring an old car.
     • Transformation – A caterpillar-to-butterfly type of change, from crawling to flying.

5. Practical Application

   • Accountability is crucial—having godly brothers who ask how you're really doing helps keep you strong.
   • Breaking free from old influences—some friendships and environments must be left behind to truly live a renewed life.
   • Renewing the Mind (Romans 12:2) is necessary to sustain transformation.

6. Encouragement to Fully Receive Christ

   • Simply accepting Jesus isn’t enough; one must receive Him into their life.
   • A powerful prayer of salvation is given, inviting those who want to truly commit to Christ.

7. Final Encouragement

   • Change begins with you—"When you change, your circumstances change."
   • The mission of Wheeler Ministries isn’t just to provide shelter but to help men become better versions of themselves through Christ.

Dr. Hudson concludes with a blessing and encouragement, urging the listeners to embrace their new identity in Christand continue growing spiritually.

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES

New Creation Realities – Part Two: All Things of God

By Bryan Hudson, D. Min.

Summary Generated by OpenAI

Key Scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

1. All Things Are of God

• Salvation and new creation realities come from God alone—not from people, religion, or traditions.
• God is the initiator of reconciliation; He designed people to be with Him, and through Christ, He restores that relationship.
• There is no reconciliation without Jesus—He is the only way back to the Father.

2. God Owns Our Whole Life

• Being a new creation means everything in our lives belongs to God—not just a portion.
• Some people treat their relationship with God like a timeshare, giving Him only part of their lives, but God demands full ownership.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body and spirit, which belong to Him.”
• Partial commitment leads to defeat; full submission leads to transformation.

3. Transformation Requires Letting Go of the Old

• Becoming a new creation is not about improving the old, but replacing it completely.
• Many people struggle because they hold onto old habits, mindsets, and religious traditions.
• Just as old technology cannot be integrated into a new system, the old self must be completely surrendered to God.
• Jesus didn’t come to “fix” Judaism—He established a new covenant.

4. Unlocking Greater Purpose Through Faithfulness

• When we recognize that all things are of God, greater purpose is unlocked.
• Luke 16:10 – “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.”
• Many people want big responsibilities in life, but they ignore small acts of faithfulness (prayer, giving, serving).
• God watches how we handle the least things before entrusting us with more.

5. Reconciliation Leads to Reassignment

• God reconciles us so that we can help reconcile others—this is our ministry of reconciliation.
• Being saved is not just for personal benefit; it carries the responsibility of sharing the gospel.
• The reason God allows the world to continue in its brokenness is to give people time to repent (2 Peter 3:9).
• If believers don’t share the message of reconciliation, many will never hear it.

Final Call to Action

• True Christ-followers, not just churchgoers, must embrace their new identity and mission.
• God wants full ownership of our lives—not a part-time commitment.
• When we take our purpose seriously and remain faithful in small things, God entrusts us with greater things.
• Old things have passed away; all things have become new.

Closing Prayer:

• Thanking God for reconciliation and transformation.
• Asking for a renewed focus on purpose and faithfulness.
• Acknowledging that God has full ownership of our lives.
• Committing to the ministry of reconciliation and sharing the gospel.

Key Verse: 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.”

Summary: Being in Christ is the foundation of transformation. This verse is a statement of fact, hope, and a solution to life’s struggles. In programming terms, it’s like an "if-then" statement—if anyone is in Christ, then they are made new.

This transformation isn’t just an improvement of the old but a complete renewal, similar to a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Though outwardly the same, a believer's heart and spirit are regenerated, leading to a new way of living.

Encouragement:

• Thank God for making you a new creation.
• Let go of old habits, sins, and mindsets that have passed away.
• Embrace and focus on the new spiritual reality in Christ.

Dr. Bryan Hudson’s sermon, "New Creation Realities," is based on 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, emphasizing the transformative power of being in Christ. The central theme is "All Things New", which highlights how a believer’s identity and reality change upon salvation.

1. Being "In Christ" is the Core of Transformation

   • The phrase “in Christ” is the foundation of the believer’s new reality.
   • It signifies hope, a factual change, and a solution to life’s struggles.
   • All true solutions begin in Christ, as opposed to worldly affiliations or ideologies.

2. The Reality of the New Creation

   • Old things pass away, and all things become new in Christ.
   • This isn't just an improved version of the old self, but a complete transformation.
   • The "if-then" condition: If someone is in Christ, then transformation occurs.

3. Living Out the New Creation Reality

   • Believers are no longer defined by past failures, sins, or mindsets.
   • A shift must take place: Stop holding on to old habits, relationships, or mindsets that contradict the new life in Christ.
   • The "behold" in the passage calls for awareness and recognition of this remarkable change.

4. Transformation is Like a Caterpillar Becoming a Butterfly

   • Just as a caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis, a believer experiences a profound change.
   • The outward appearance might seem familiar, but the nature and capacity have changed.
   • This transformation is an ongoing work of renewal, restoration, and rebirth.

5. Each One, Reach One – An Inclusive Gospel

   • The message of salvation is for anyone who comes to Christ.
   • Christianity is not an exclusive club, but a body where all are welcome.
   • Avoid religious elitism—true faith is about relationship, not just religion.

6. Applying the Reality of the New Creation

   • Being new in Christ means not carrying old baggage into the new life.
   • The church must reflect inclusivity and not build unnecessary barriers.
   • Faith, not feelings, should define identity—believers must trust in what they believe over how they feel.

7. Encouragement to Embrace Transformation

   • Let go of old things—mindsets, habits, even certain relationships that hinder growth.
   • Recognize that God doesn’t just give new things; He makes all things new.
   • Trust in the continuous work of God’s transformation in your life.

Dr. Hudson calls believers to fully embrace their new creation identity, let go of the past, and live in the renewed reality of Christ’s transformation. The change isn’t just superficial—it is a complete reformation of the heart, mind, and life.

“I am a new creation in Christ.”