All Things New, Part 1: The Plan to Make All Things New
December 1, 2024 / Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching PastorGRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR
The heart behind God’s creation:
“You are …” Genesis 2:16
The Fall of Mankind Genesis 3:6–10
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
Since the time man chose sin,
God has been his relationship with humanity.
God’s Compassion
The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21
The Foreshadowing of God’s Plan (protoevangelium)
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15
The Promise of a Reconciler
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6–7
The Plan to Reconcile
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4–7
The Invitation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17–21
Be reconciled to For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:10
Be reconciled to “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23–24
The Coming Fulfillment of His Promise
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.” Revelation 21:5
Small Group Questions
- What was the most memorable moment of your Thanksgiving?
- In what ways are you free because of your relationship with Jesus?
- How did you reconcile with God? What did your salvation moment look like?
- Why do you believe God would want us to live a life of reconciliation?
- What does a sincere attempt at reconciliation look like in your mind and heart?
- Who does God want you to reconcile with this Christmas?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?