Christian Ambition
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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What are people ambitious about?
Paul has reminded us of our future hope in the resurrection of our bodies, these “tents,” in which we groan.
I. Our Attitude in Light of the Resurrection
I. Our Attitude in Light of the Resurrection
A. A Pleasing Attitude
A. A Pleasing Attitude
9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
Ambition = friend of honor, value or price.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Motives for Ministry (2 Corinthians 5:9–21)
If, led by the Spirit, believers would put as much drive into Christian living and service as they do athletics or business, the Gospel would make a greater impact on the lost world. “I want to be as zealous for God as I was for the devil!” a new Christian told me, and his life was greatly used of God.
Pleasing = to be more popular with one than another. I think the most astounding thing in this verse is that God can be pleased with us!
B. An Expectant Attitude
B. An Expectant Attitude
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Appear = be revealed
2 Corinthians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Paul Was Driven by the Deepest Motive
Philip E. Hughes writes, “To be made manifest means not just to appear, but to be laid bare, stripped of every outward façade of respectability, and openly revealed in the full and true reality of one’s character
An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon (βῆμα)
βάθρον, a step, seat—a raised place or tribune to speak from in a public assembly or law-court
In Paul’s day, a raised platform called a bayma was where olympic athletes received their crowns for their competitions. I was also where judgement was made of deeds performed in public.
13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.
Jesus doesn’t just look us over in our spiritual judgment, he Xrays us, CAT scans us, and gives us an MRI all in one.
Good works don’t save us. But once we are saved, performing good works in one of the reasons for saving us.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Recompensed = might (subjunctive) be receive hospitably or be provided for. Reward for the effort we exerted.
good or worthless.
II. Our Work in Light of the Resurrection
II. Our Work in Light of the Resurrection
A. A Persuasive Work
A. A Persuasive Work
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
B. A Spectacular Work
B. A Spectacular Work
1. That Makes Us Famous to God
1. That Makes Us Famous to God
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Manifest - made known or made famous. to God, to the Corinthians.
2. That Makes Us Famous to the Brethren
2. That Makes Us Famous to the Brethren
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
3. That Makes Us Famous to the World
3. That Makes Us Famous to the World
12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.
Paul was giving the Corinthians a counter argument to the legalists who were criticizing Paul. Be proud of my weakness as I am. Be proud of the gospel that I am preaching, because it is the power of God. Be proud that I am suffering for the gospel because it shows the genuineness of the message.
Those apposing Paul cared about things like, appearance, how educated Paul sounded, how good of a speaker he was, how entertaining he was; All externals.
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
4. That Makes Us Seem Crazy
4. That Makes Us Seem Crazy
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
beside ourselves = out of our minds
24 While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.”
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Motives for Ministry (2 Corinthians 5:9–21)
When Dwight L. Moody was ministering at his large Sunday School and church in Chicago, people often called him “Crazy Moody.” In the eyes of the unsaved world, Moody was “crazy” to have given up a successful business career to become a Sunday School worker and evangelist; but time has proved his decision to be a wise one. Today, we don’t know the names of the people who laughed at him, but we do know—and honor—the name of D.L. Moody.
What is your ambition for Christ? What motivates you to serve Him?
