Joanne’s Hugs – Joanne loved us all. She often showed that by giving hugs. It seemed that anyone who came to church was going to get a hug whether they wanted to or not. You can ask my parents and in-laws as they remember her very well. She made people feel welcome.
Joanne’s Kind Words – Joanne had nice things to say to people. She would say things like, “I don’t know what I’d do without you” or “You’re the best person I’ve ever known.” And she often told us how much she loved the people at church and her family.
Joanne’s Input – Joanne served as the assistant treasurer and missions treasurer for some time. When she grew older, those responsibilities were passed on to others. But somehow she didn’t realize it. One day, she came into a trustees meeting and told us that the previous pastor had said that she was supposed to come to the meeting and so she did. Okay, Joanne, have a seat.
Joanne’s Prayers – If you have ever been to one of our church’s prayer meetings, you know what it is like to hear the people pour out their hearts to the Lord. Joanne’s prayers contained something even more than emotion. She prayed honestly. I mean that she talked to God with exactly what she felt should be done. One day, she told God how frustrated she was with people who wouldn’t listen to her talking about Jesus. She said, “Sometimes I just want to pick up a rock and hit them on the head!” I think the Lord will forgive us for laughing at that moment. As far as I know, she never did hit anyone.
Joanne’s Note – Earlier this year, I preached several messages about marriage. At the time, Joanne was in her 90’s and her hearing wasn’t very good. But she still came to the services, sang the songs, and flipped through her Bible while I preached. I wondered if she was getting anything from the messages until we found a hand-written note near where she sat. I won’t share all that she said in the note, but she did mention that after attending church she had changed. Today, I would like to talk about the change that happened to Joanne. It wasn’t her church attendance or her cleaning up her act that changed her life. What she was referring to was the change that God had made in her life.
- What does it say? (2 Cor. 5:17)
The Bible says that if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new or fresh creation. The original things have passed away. And it should be noticed that new things have come into existence. - What does it mean?
Why do we need to be changed?
These statements from the Bible indicate that when someone is in Christ, that person’s life will be changed by God. But think about that for a moment. Why would any of us need to be changed? Most of us think that we are pretty good people at least compared to really bad ones. We haven’t killed anyone, robbed a store, or assaulted someone. Why then do we need to be changed? The problem is that we often look at ourselves in comparison to others instead of in comparison with God’s perfect standard.
The Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). This means that from God’s perspective we are all guilty of sins against God. We may not have killed someone, but we have hated someone enough to do it. We may not have committed adultery, but we have had those thoughts. We may not have robbed a bank, but we’ve taken things that weren’t ours. The truth is that all of us are sinners and our sins have caused us to become God’s enemies. And if there is any doubt about that, consider that God will judge the living and dead someday by his perfect standard and all sinful people will be cast into the lake of fire. We all fall short and need to be changed. But how can that happen?
What does it mean to be in Christ?
The Bible has told us that if anyone is in Christ they become a new creation. So how does that happen? First of all, the Bible is talking about Jesus. He is God who came from heaven, became a man, and lived among us. And unlike us, He never sinned. He always did what was right. And at the end of His time on earth, He willingly offered Himself to die on the cross to pay for all of our sins. As the perfect man He was the perfect payment. And as the infinite God, He was able to pay for the sins of all sinners of all time. He did that for us despite our sinfulness so that we could be reconciled to the God whom we had sinned against.
The Bible promises that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. When you recognize your guilt before God and believe that Jesus died for you and rose again, you are in Christ. You are trusting in what He did for you to save you from the punishment you deserve. When God brings you to that point where you trust in Him, you are in Christ. And the change begins immediately.
What does it mean to be a new creation?
When someone turns from his sin and puts his faith in Jesus, God begins the transformation of that person. God takes that undeserving sinner, washes away his guilt, and changes him from the inside out. The old ways of living in sin, hating God, and loving the world are replaced with a desire to love God, love others, and to do what is pleasing to God. That is the change that God makes in someone who is in Christ. It is true that a Christian never becomes perfect. Nobody but Jesus was ever perfect… even Joanne. But God made a definite change in her life and in everyone of us who has placed their faith in Christ. - How does it apply?
Are you in Christ?
This is the big question for all of us. But before you can be in Christ, you have to realize that you are lost, sinful, and without hope by yourself. Your sin has made you and enemy of God. And that is why Jesus came. He didn’t come to save good people. He came for sinners like you and me. And because He died for our sins, we can be reconciled with the God who loved us. And when you put your faith in Jesus, you will be in Christ. Are you in Christ?
Have you become a new creation?
One of the evidences of being in Christ is the change God had made in your life. This is not to be confused with turning over a new leaf or making yourself a little better. When you recognize your sinfulness and place your faith in what Jesus did for you, then and only then will God make the change in your life. But if you have experienced this already, you know the dramatic change God makes in those who have been born again. He changes the way you think, the way you act, and what you desire. He doesn’t make you perfect, but He definitely changes you from the inside out. Has He made that change in your life?
Conclusion
As we conclude our service today, listen again to what Joanne wrote in that note. She said, “And now I have changed.” God made a change in her life and is willing to do that for you as well. Will you let Him change you as well? You will never regret it.