Finish/It! - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Today, we are going to begin a sermon series about some Scripture that many of you may have on the wall, but that often go unfinished when quoted or completely taken out of context. Every one of us pastors comes across this so regularly that I thought, why not turn it into a sermon series?
Our Purpose is simple: As we go through the next few weeks, we are going to put these verses into proper context and then look at what we can apply from them.
We are going to do this in a three point format. Text, Context, and Application.
Today’s Verse:
Today’s Verse:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
PRAY.
Point 1: Text
Point 1: Text
We have all read the verse and quoted it. In fact, if you went through any kind of recovery program, you memorized it. However, like the verses we have covered so far, there is so much more to it.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
When we continue down and begin to read the rest of it, we can see that there is a requirement. The requirement is simple—if we are reconciled to God and made new creations, we are now ambassadors for Christ.
The Definition of Ambassador is: a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity.
In the Greek, it is “presbeno,” and it means to be a representative.
We will circle back around to that later, but first we need context.
Point 2: Context
Point 2: Context
Background
Background
2 Corinthians was written around 55 AD from Macedonia to the Corinthians. Paul had already wrote his former letters (this was actually the 3rd letter). 1 Corinthians as we studied last week, was written to restore them and to have them see themselves through the lens of the Gospel. This letter was to express gratitude and to strengthen the saints.
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. 9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Paul had planted this church and as we learned last week, Paul by 1st Corinthians had been with them about 18 months 4 years earlier. This is 1 year after that (55 AD, so a year has passed). They have had time to heed his letter.
Paul is setting many things right here, but specifically in this pericope (or thought section of Scripture) Paul is talking about the ministry of reconciliation.
To be reconciled means to be restored and made right. You cannot talk about the ministry of reconciliation without first referencing Christ. We have no power to make anyone right with God, this comes only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, so we are to serve as ambassadors of reconciliation by pleading Christ as though He was pleading through us
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Moreover, if we look back, we can see that we must live for Jesus.
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Because, iIt is only on Christ’s behalf that we are reconciled to God.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Everyone here knows that there is no way to the Father except through Jesus. There is no way to be made right with God or justified without the atoning blood of Christ. Christ took our place.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
So let’s look at all of it with what we just learned.
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Point 3: Application
Point 3: Application
Aside from ministry, I run a marketing agency, so I know a little bit about brand ambassadors or representatives of a brand. which leads me to ask the question.. How long would I remain employed as an Ambassador for Ford if I was walking around in a Chevrolet shirt and sending everyone to the Chevy dealership? How much more should we appropriately represent Christ in our actions and not just our words.
When we become new creations, we are under obligation to therefore be ambassador’s for Christ and to fulfill the Great Commission. We do this by understanding the great work that was done in us.
We live for Him, because He died for us to make us right, so when we can acknowledge what was done for us, we can realize where we stand and what we need to do.
Altar call.