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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Cor 5:17 NIV Prior Weeks: What does it mean to be “in Christ?” What do we let go of? What changes? We host God “in us!”

What's new? The Holy Spirit becomes present in a person's life GOD comes in A “mystical union” Interpreters Bible Commentary Gal 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 3

The Role of the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 2:10 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 4

The Holy Spirit shapes us searches the deep things Knows your thoughts Gives us understanding of what God has given to us 5

The Goal of Every Believer To become like Jesus Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. 6

God is fashioning a new sculpture that looks like you, but acts like Jesus You ARE God's new creation You ARE God's masterpiece God fashioned you in mother's womb (Ps 139:13) You spent years messing your life up God started over and is sculpting a new you 7

God's plan has been to create a new you all along For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. Before you were born God knew you would be God had in mind what you would be like God had in mind your role in the human drama 8

God's plan has been to create a new you all along Clarification: Your actions are not predetermined You are not a puppet God has predestined you to be conformed to Jesus Choice is still yours 9

Let's back up and see the Big Picture God's Vision for humankind Every person created in His image Every person rejects God (anticipated by God) Every person needs to come back through Jesus Every person needs a heart transplant Every person must submit their own will to His change Every person invites God to make them like Jesus Every person lets God make them to be like Jesus 10

Let's back up and see the Big Picture What the world needs is not... A more polished or eloquent politician A more fair food distribution program A better space program A more powerful military We need to deal with the selfish hearts we have 11

A vision for humanity What if... We had peace, inside and outside of USA We had enough food Healing that was taking place Restored relationships The prisons were empty Cars and houses went unlocked People greeted people happily on the street Instead of cut off, a driver said “please, go ahead” You take care of this land, I will take care of this land 12

A vision for humanity “My kingdom is not of this world” “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” “You are not of this world” 13

A vision for humanity Glimpses... Glimpses Shoeboxes Backpacks Sandwiches Cov Wld relief Coats for homeless Compassion child Serve Now support Glimpses Art of youth- beauty we gather to pray We praise God in song We host alpha We do a baptism We gather as people from all over the world Close your eyes: 14

God is in control of old and new Mt 24: What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 15

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come... 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 16

24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 17

We who have received Jesus are encouraged 1 Thes 4:the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. We who have received Jesus are encouraged 18

God is in control of old and new Rev 21: Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 19

God is in control of old and new 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. All scripture from NIV Pie in he sky isn't so bad. 20

So What? Pie in the sky is good God is in the business of making things new God wants to take our ruined lives and make them beautiful God comes in and begins to remodel Let Him; consciously See the Big Picture and pray “thy kingdom come” 21