Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, our rock and our Redeemer.  [Psalm 19:14, adapted]

 

            Over the past weeks we have been following Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians and how that letter applies to us at Immanuel, in this world and society today.  We have seen how each of us is like one of those jars of clay, or canning jars.  What makes a Christian special from other jars is the treasure inside, the love of Christ that gives us comfort, strength and hope where there is none elsewhere in this world. 

            Secondly, in my letter to you read by the elders, it is important to openly confess that treasure, the grace God gives us.  We confess our faith openly to remind ourselves of God’s love for us, to strengthen each other as we join together in that faith, and to witness the love of the Triune God to others. 

            Last week Paul reminded us that we walk by faith and not by sight.  A Christian’s life differs from living by the values that we see in this mortal world.  Although God has given us all in this world as his gift to us, the faith he has given and the power of the Holy Spirit are only a deposit, guaranteeing to us what is to come, the everlasting joys of eternal life with our heavenly father and brother Jesus Christ.

 

            Today’s passage reminds me of a house on the corner of Algonquin and Cora.  It was one of those small, square, single story homes built a half a century ago.  Recently it has undergone a major transformation.  The roof was torn off, a second story added on, and a multitude of other additions and modifications.  It now looks like a brand new home, in no way resembling the structure it was a few months ago.  I am sure that the family inside now uses the house with its new floor plan and amenities differently than they did before. 

 

            Outside of this house, during all of this time, is a simple sign that tells the construction company that has done all of the work.  That sign is very important.  You see, the house could not renew itself all on its own.  In fact, it could do nothing by itself to even maintain its value, let alone improve itself.  By itself, the house can only deteriorate with time and eventually crumble.

            It took a deliberate plan by someone other than the house to change and improve that house.  That plan was made in advance and not a “do-as-you-go” thing.  This plan was very purposefully done.  The house could easily have been destroyed and a completely new structure built.  But, the owner wished to retain the old house, and make a new structure out of it.

            Now this house lives a new life according to how it was re-constructed.  It serves its owner graciously and in a quite refreshing manner compared to how it was. 

            This new house, however, will continue to suffer from the normal day-to-day wear from use, the elements of Northern Illinois weather, and natural deterioration.  It will need regular maintenance and cleaning to keep it the house it now is.  The house as it was known on that corner, is now dead and gone, a new one in its place, although it is the same house.  The residents inside are going to use it differently, although they will return to some old habits for sure.

 

            Some basic points are: 

• Left alone, the old house would eventually deteriorate and die. 
• The house could not rebuild itself into the new house it is, it had to be accomplished by a skilled builder.. 
• The house was made new according to a very specific plan and for a specific purpose.  The old house, as it was known died and is no more.  It is replaced by its new structure.
• Left alone, the renewed house will eventually deteriorate and die.  It needs continuing maintenance and renewal too.
• The renewed house brings a new vitality not only to its own lot, but also to the neighborhood around it.

 

Something like this occurs when Christ comes alive for us.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!   [2 Corinthians 5:17]

Paul tells us that this truth is what compels he and the other apostles and preachers to so unwaveringly preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Corinthians and everywhere else they traveled.  The compelling reason is stated in the first verse of today’s Epistle reading, “that one died for all and therefore all died.”  Paul also wrote this same message in his letter to the Romans [chapter 5] that although all died from one man’s sin (Adam), all are alive in one man’s death, (Christ).  In case anyone has any doubt whether God loves you or not, whether forgiveness in Christ is for you or not, this passage lays that to rest in that Jesus died for all.  Jesus stated ahead of time, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  [Matthew 20:28]  A ransom was the price paid to purchase a slave.  Jesus’ blood is the ransom to purchase us from slavery of our lives in sin to life with him. 

            “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”  [v. 17]  This gift is available to all, not leaving anyone out of God’s grace.  This gift is as great a miracle as creation.  We are reminded of that in the Psalms, in Job when God declares that it was he who laid out the earth and all things, and in Jesus’ calming the storm by the power of his word alone.  God is above and controls all things in creation.  That includes the power of sin and its consequence, death.  God is the one who took the initiative.  He did not wait for anyone to look to him.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: “…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  [Romans 5:8]  God reconciled us.  He made us right with him again, bringing us back to him through Jesus Christ.

            God is for you.  God is for all people.  He does not want anyone to be lost.  It is man alone in his rebellion, selfish pride, and hardness of heart, who rejects this great gift of love and looks to other means of salvation outside of Jesus.  But this reconciliation is a passive thing.  God does it for you and to you.  Birth is a passive thing.  You have no choice in that matter.  Baptism is a passive thing.  You are washed with water and given new life in the spirit that God gives you.  Conversion is a passive thing.  God works the miracle of faith in your heart through hearing his word.  The resurrection is a passive thing.  God alone can raise the body from the dead.  All has already been accomplished for you.  You do not need to do something first!

            In faith and in baptism, you are like that old house, made a new and different in faith by the love of God in Jesus Christ.  Like rebuilding that house, you cannot do any part of it yourself.  God does it through the work of Jesus given you in his word.  Like the old house, left alone you are going to crumble and die in your sins and your mortal nature.  Like the renewed house, you are made new according to God’s plan, not one you make yourself.  Like the renewed house, you remain new by continuing maintenance, repenting sins daily, growing in God’s word through regular worship, devotion and Bible Study, and being refreshed and strengthened each time you receive Christ’s body and blood that is given for the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in Jesus’ name.

            That is the purpose of Jesus Christ, to pay the ransom price for all sins and reconcile sinners back to God.  Isaiah prophesied that when he wrote, “the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  [Isaiah 53:8]  That is God’s plan of salvation.  He sent his one and only Son so that all who believe in him will have eternal life.  [John 3:16]

            When Jesus hanged on the cross, God saw only one sinner and that sinner carried the sins of all.  When God looks at those who believe in Jesus as his Son, our Savior, he sees Jesus’ righteousness in place of the sins placed on Christ.  That is God’s rebuilding plan for you. 

            And now God sends each one of us to be his ambassadors, carrying his message to others.  This message includes his commands, commands of love.  This message includes judgment; the wages of sin is death.  This message includes his love in Jesus Christ who died the death for all and renews those who believe in him alone for salvation.  This message we are compelled, bound to tell, because it holds us in bondage to Christ.  This message we are compelled, bound to tell, because it is such good news we cannot hold it within ourselves any longer.  This message we are compelled to tell because we know the love of God who can forgive all sins and comes to each one to make him new in Christ, out of his love for all.     Amen.

 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   [Philippians 4:7]