Introduction: Do you want to hear some “GOOD NEWS”? First, the BAD NEWS. Speaking of Good & Bad News, I heard about two CHRISTian brothers who loved playing baseball. They agreed if one died before the other, the other would somehow let him know if there was baseball in heaven. One passed away. He sent word through an angel that he had both GOOD NEWS & BAD NEWS about baseball in heaven. The angel explained to the brother on earth. He said…”First, the GOOD NEWS….there is BASEBALL in heaven! The BAD NEWS is… said the angel, to the brother…..”YOU are scheduled to PITCH tomorrow night!!”

1. First, the BAD NEWS of Gods “CREATION” as a witness of man’s sinfulness! (Rom 1:18-21)

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful.”

2. Second, the BAD NEWS of Man’s “CONSCIENCE” as a witness of man’s sinfulness! (Rom 2:12-16)

“For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

3. Third, the BAD NEWS of Man’s “CHOICE,” a witness of man’s sinfulness! (Eph 2:1-3)

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

From the beginning of time, man has been determined to do “his own thing”…. called disobedience… sin.

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” (Gen 3:1-7)

4. Fourth, the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ “sacrifice on the cross”! (Isaiah 53:4,5)

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

5.Fifth, the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ “resurrection from the dead”! (Rom 4:25)

“25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1Cor 15:3, 4)

6. Sixth, the GOOD NEWS of “repenting and receiving” Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! (John 1:12)

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” 

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20)

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30)

7. Seventh, the GOOD NEWS of being “forgiven, and assured” a home in heaven by Jesus Christ! (Rom 10:9-13)

Conclusion: There is the BAD NEWS and GOOD NEWS!

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

We’ve got GOOD NEWS!
Let’s GO & TELL!!

The last words of our Lord on earth to His disciples…
(Matt 28:18-20)

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

1. UNCONDITIONAL Love & Acceptance! (1Cor 14:4-7, 13)

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

“13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

This LOVE is possible because of the LOVE (agape) of God!

“7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

We can express UNCONDITIONAL LOVE to others as a result of God’s LOVE thru CHRIST JESUS in our hearts – flowing out by the Holy Spirit of God.

2. CONFLICT RESOLUTION! (Eph 4:26-32)

“6Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil. 28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Since we have been released or forgiven, then we have the capacity and power to “LET GO” the wrongs that have been done to us by the power of the Holy Spirit!

(Philemon 1:18,19)

“If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.”

“25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

3. COMMUNICATION! (Prov 18:21)

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

In communicating, several factors must be considered.

First, learn not to INTERRUPT!

Second, get to the POINT!

Third, choose your WORDS wisely!
(you may have to EAT them!!)

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
(Col 4:6)

Fourth, learn to LISTEN!

Fifth, do not be QUICK to JUDGE!

Sixth, try NEGOTIATION!

Seventh, being RIGHT isn’t always RIGHT!

4. CORRECTION! (Rev 2, 3)

Jesus loved the Church. But please do not misunderstand. That kind of LOVE means sometimes there needs to be some CORRECTION.

(Rev 3:4,5)
“4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

(Rev 3:19)
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

(Prov 13:1)
“1A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”

(Prov 16:24)
“24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

5. COMMENDATION! (Prov 12:25)

“5Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”

Words of AFFIRMATION are extremely important. We really have to work at this…..without crossing the line into flattery!

Conclusion: Since strong RELATIONSHIPS do not just happen, that means these “biblical” principles can be practiced!

Review all 5. Take time to reflect and pray over each one. Then trust the Lord to make the changes that are necessary.

When all is said and done, we will see our Lord BUILD RELATIONSHIPS that LAST!

Introduction: Have you ever felt condemned? Right now, do you feel dirty? Do you know who the “accuser” of the brethren is? What do you do when you sense you are under the attack of the enemy?

1. Can you Hear the ACCUSATIONS of the little liar, the dirty devil? (Zech 3:1, 2)

“1And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?”

• Notice Satan’s ACCUSATIONS! (v 1)
• Notice Satan’s CONFRONTATION! (v 2)

2. Will you take a Look at “Low down” Joshua’s CONDEMNATION? (Zech 3:3)

“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.”

• Look at Joshua’s CONDEMNATION! (v 3)

Can you relate to Joshua?

Joshua cannot deny the charges. We all stand guilty before a holy God. 

• Look at Joshua’s EXAMINATION! (v 3)

3. What about our “Loving Lord’s” JUSTIFICATION? (Zech 3:4, 5)

“And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 5And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.”

Although this is an Old Testament passage, its New Testament equivalent reveals the blood of Jesus Christ “cleanses” us from all sin.

“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.”

Conclusion: Our Father not only takes away our sin thru the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, but also restores us back into fellowship with Him. Besides that, He clothes is in His righteousness!

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Cor 5:21)

Introduction: Have you ever heard the song “When we all get to Heaven?” A dear lady wrote this CHRISTian hymn in 1898. Her name was Eliza Hewitt.

Listen to the first stanza:

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
sing his mercy and his grace;
in the mansions bright and blessed
he’ll prepare for us a place.

Question
# 1. Where is HEAVEN?

• 1st heaven – (Psa 19:1, 2)

• 2nd heaven – (Gen 1:1-14)

“1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth……. 14And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness.”

• 3rd heaven – (Ezek 28; Isa 14; Rev 21:1-22:20)

Question
# 2. How will we be rewarded in HEAVEN?

We will stand before Jesus Christ after the rapture at what is called the “Judgment Seat of Christ” – “Greek word -bema”

Not to determine whether we go to heaven or hell but to receive crowns or not be rewarded – lose rewards
(2Cor 5:10; 1Cor 3:11-16; Rom 14:10)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

1. Watcher’s crown (2Tim 4:6, 7)
   2. Runner’s crown (1Cor 9:24-27)
   3. Soul Winner’s crown (1Thess 2:19)
   4. Shepherd’s crown (1Pet 5:1-5)
   5. Life crown – (James 1:12)

Then, We will cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus! (Rev 4:10, 11)

“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

2nd Stanza to “When we all get to HEAVEN”:

While we walk the pilgrim pathway
clouds will overspread the sky,
but when traveling days are over,
not a shadow, not a sigh.

Conclusion:

Last Stanza to “When we all get to HEAVEN”:

Let us then be true and faithful,
trusting, serving every day;
just one glimpse of Him in glory
will the toils of life repay.

Sing it…….

1. FIRST Proof- Jesus SHOWS UP at the “Right Place” at the “Right Time”! (John 5:1-3)

“1After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.”

• Jesus shows up at the Right Place! (v 1)
• Jesus shows up at the Right Time! (vv 2, 3)

Imagine 38 long years of waiting and suffering. Imagine how discouraging that would have been.

2. SECOND Proof- Jesus BLOWS Up our “Hopelessness” and turns it into “Hopefulness”! (John 5:3-6)

“3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?”

• “Waiting for something to happen.” (v 3)
• Depending on man too much. (v 7)

• What is out of our CONTROL is under JESUS’ CONTROL!
• Hope in the Lord!! (Rom 15:13)

3. THIRD Proof- Jesus THROWS UP things out of our “CONTROL” and brings it Under His “CONTROL”! (John 5:7-9)

“And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”

Notice….it took an act of FAITH from the paralytic in the words of Jesus.

“8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”

Remember:

“6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6)

Text: Mark 10:27

The other supernatural phenomena I have witnessed are those who our Lord chose not to give physical healing but rather to take them to their heavenly home…..and the “AMAZING PEACE” and “GRACE” that the Holy Spirit extended in their time of need was incomprehensible (Phil 4:6, 7).

If our Lord Jesus can:

1. Create something out of nothing! (Gen 1:1)

2. Part the Red Sea! (Exo 12-14)

3. Make a donkey speak! (Num 22)

4. Cause an axe head to swim! (2Kings 6)

5. Multiply 2 fishes and 5 loaves of bread to feed 5,000 people besides women & children! (John 6)

6. Raise the dead – Lazarus, Widow’s son, Jairus daughter! (John 11; Luke 7; Mark 5)

7. Cast out demons! (Mark 5)

8. Open blind eyes – Bartimaeus! (Mark 10)

9. Heal leprosy! (Luke 17)

10. Create a baby with a woman without a man – Mary! (Luke 1)

He sits on the circle of the earth….He hangs it in outer space.
He holds everything together with His strong arm.
He causes the sun to shine the moon to give its light.
The heavens declare His glory. (Psalm 19:1, 2)
He has named and numbered all the stars!

He will come again in the clouds of heaven, and we shall behold Him (1John 3:1-3; 1Thess 4:16-18).

He will return as the KING of KINGS and the LORD of LORDS! (Rev 19:11-16)

He will smite the nations that come against Him (Rev 19), and His enemies will be made His footstool!

He has determined and decree to make a new heaven and a new earth (2Pet 3:10-14).

He will rule and reign for 1,000 years on His throne in Jerusalem (Rev 20).

He will dwell in the New Jerusalem with all of His people forever! (Rev 21,22)

Jesus is coming QUICKLY! (Rev 22:12-21)

Introduction: Have you ever been NEGATIVE…especially when you are faced with things and people you cannot control? Are you finding yourself complaining because of your circumstances? Do you agree that it seems like when we go thru times of ADVERSITY, it becomes very challenging? Often, we fail the test.

So how can we, as believers in the living God, respond in times of “ADVERSITY”?

1. By TESTIFYING to others about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because of our ADVERSITY! (2Tim 2:8-12)

“8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed:”

What is Paul saying? More often, people are watching and listening to us when we face hardships more than any other time. Why? Because anyone can be happy and positive when things are going good. But, it is when we are in the crucibles of life that a door swings wide open for others to see and witness true FAITH in the God we profess. 

Do we always understand why? No. 

2. By GLORIFYING the name of Jesus because He has won the VICTORY! (2Tim 1:12)

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

Paul was anchored in God’s, “GREAT LOVE,” and purpose (see Rom 8:28-9)

“28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Keeping a proper perspective when we are going through ADVERSITY is the key. Granted, it is never easy, but always rewarding.

3. By MAGNIFYING the power of our Lord Jesus because He is our STRENGTH! (2Tim 1:12)

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

The word “committed” is παραθήκη (par-ath-ay’-kay), which means a deposit, anything committed to one’s charge or trust.

Conclusion: To sum it up, the way “ADVERSITY” is turned into “VICTORY” is by….

1. TESTIFYING – when you are ready! (see Phil 1:12-14)

“12But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

2. GLORIFYING – because of Jesus VICTORY (He has experienced all that we will, and can sympathize with us…see Heb 4:14-16)

“14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

3. MAGNIFYING- lifting up our God who is “with us” at all times! (2Tim 4:16-18)

“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

ADVERSITY comes to everyone. But after you’ve been thru it, you can look back and be a blessing to others.

Jesus has been thru it!

Changing our Address

1. Where do CHRISTians go after death? (2 Cor 5:1-8)

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Cor 5:1)

Paul speaks of a comparison between a house- dwelling place and our body. Just as a house needs repairs because of the wear and tear, our bodies (earth suits) are wearing out as well. (see 2 Cor 4:16)

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

In the passage in 2 Corinthians 5:2-4, Paul describes the desire for a new body one day because this physical shell is fading away.

2. How can CHRISTians know that we will have a NEW BODY after we die? (2 Cor 5:5-8)

First, God guarantees a NEW BODY by giving every believer a DOWN PAYMENT, which is the HOLY SPIRIT. This happens at the moment of conversion.

“5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.” (2Cor 5:5)

The word “earnest” is ἀρραβών, (ar-hrab-ohn’), which is used the following manner:
This is like Money…. a large part of the payment, given in advance as a security that the whole will be paid afterwards.

3. Where will every CHRISTian go after death? (2 Cor 5:6-8)

“6Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

So, as he is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, Paul writes that IMMEDIATELY after death, we go straight to be with our Lord JESUS in heaven.

4. When will CHRISTians get their final glorified body? (1 Cor 15:35-41)

“35But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.”

While describing the human body in this great resurrection chapter, Paul informs believers what will take place in the future at the rapture.

“42So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

All of this will climax when Jesus Christ comes for His Church at the RAPTURE.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

At last, a NEW GLORIFIED body like Jesus! (see 1 John 3:2)

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

Conclusion: What a wonderful promise! No one can deny that these earthly bodies are wearing out. But God has made provisions for every blood-bought child of God to experience this transformation; i,e.
Not just a FIX-er UP-er!

1. What kind of HOME are you building? (Prov 9:1-4)

“1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him.”

A HOME built out of God’s WISDOM will stand! But a HOME built out of MAN’s WISDOM will fall! (Prov 9:9-16)

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. 13A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15To call passengers who go right on their ways: 16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him.”

Everyone is building a HOME. Jesus said, we are building either on the sinking sand or the solid rock.

2. What kind of LIFE are you living? (Prov 9:7-9)

“7He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”

3. What kind of CHOICES are you making? (Prov 9:10, 16)

“10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding….. 6Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him.”

James describes 2 kinds of wisdom:

“13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:13-18)

Conclusion: Based on how we answer these three questions, we can determine “How it’s going for us!”

1. What kind of HOME are you building?
2. What kind of LIFE are you living?
3. What kind of CHOICES are you making?

Introduction: Have you ever seen somebody for the first time in years and years, and made the comment, “You look like a New You”? That is what happens after a person is “Born Again.” He or she becomes “Brand  New” on the inside. After a while, the changes can be seen on the outside as well. The apostle Paul describes this process to the Ephesian believers. 

1. What are we told about the “OLD Man” and the “NEW Man”? (Eph 4:22-24)

“22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

• The word “put off” is ἀποτίθημι (ap-ot-eeth’-ay-mee), which means I lay off or aside, renounce, stow away, put. (v 22)

“Put off” the “former” πρότερον, which means before salvation.

Put off the way you used to live; i.e. dominated by the flesh. (v 22)

Put off the Old man, which is “corrupted” φθείρω, which means ruined. (v 22)

• Rather, be “Renewed” ἀνανεόω, made new. (v 23)

Be renewed in the “Spirit” of the mind. (v 23)

This is possible because of God’s renewal, κτίζω, which means form or shape. (v 23)

This is done in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit which results in righteousness and true holiness. (v 24)

2. What are the evidences the “OLD Man” is trying to take over? (Eph 4:26-31)

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil. 28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”

• The word “wrath” is παροργισμός, which means  exasperation, wrath, irritation, indignation. (v 26)
• The word “lying” is ψεῦδος which means falsehood, untruth, false religion (v25)
• The word “bitterness” is πικρία, which means resentful, bitter. (v 31)

3. What are the evidences the “NEW Man” taking over? (Eph 4:25, 32)

“25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another…. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

• The word “kind” is χρηστός, which means useful, gentle, pleasant. (v 32)
• The word “tender hearted” is εὔσπλαγχνος, which means merciful, compassionate. (v 32)
• The word “forgiving” is χαρίζομαι, means to show kindness, favor, pardon. (v 32)

Evidence of the New Man is an indicator of one’s life yielded to the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. What actions should we do daily to keep the “OLD Man off and the “NEW Man” on? (Eph 4:27, 30)

“27Neither give place to the devil….. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

• The word “place” is τόπος , which means seat, region, opportunity. ( v 27)
• The word “grieve” is λυπέω, which means pain, or grief, hurt. (v 30)

Conclusion: While this seems unattainable, our Lord has made this possible as we cooperate and submit to power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit of God. While working on the “Inside” to the “Outside”, God’s will is to produce a “BRAND NEW YOU!

Look in the mirror to the NEW YOU!!