How the Holy Spirit Makes You Love People

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Start with Application Testimony

[Give people an opportunity to share a testimony from last week’s exhortation]

Last week’s exhortation: Embrace your weaknesses and limits as opportunities to rely on the power of God, rather than on your own.

INTRO

We are going verse-by-verse, in a topical study through I & II Corinthians

Current Topic: Living by the Spirit - Exploring how to live as a Christian

First we looked at 2 Corinthians 3 and talked about the ministry of the Holy Spirit and how He enacts the promises of God in our lives, by being the real presence of God with us and in us.

Then we looked at 2 Corinthians 4 and talked about how the Holy Spirit strengthens us by revealing a greater awareness of the truth, a more honest inventory of ourselves, and the larger picture of God’s plan.

READ

2 Corinthians 5:1–6:2 CSB

1 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart. 13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. 16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1 Working together with him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.” 2 For he says: At an acceptable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!

EXAMINE

#1 | The Holy Spirit changes our perspective on life

This life is not all there is.

2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands.”

The Holy Spirit connects us to the larger reality of the life we have in God - which is eternal and secure.

This life must be lived intentionally.

2 Corinthians 5:9–10 “Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ...”

The Holy Spirit moves us to pursue a greater purpose than our own pleasure and satisfaction.

He also sobers us to the reality that we aren’t our own masters. We are accountable to God for the life He has given us. (Parable of the Talents - Matt 25:14-29)

#2 | The Holy Spirit changes our perspective on ourselves and others

The Holy Spirit takes us beyond ourselves.

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 “For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.”

Jesus didn’t just die for a few of us, He died for all people. He loves others as much as He loves you.

The Holy Spirit uses this revelation to drive us to action in ministering to the people around us.

The Holy Spirit enables us to really see people as they are.

2 Corinthians 5:16–17 “From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective... if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

When we look at people from our own perspective, it is easy to devalue them or give up hope for them - But the Holy Spirit teaches us to see what God can do and is doing in their lives.

#3 | The Holy Spirit changes our perspective on relationship

The Holy Spirit reveals God’s heart for relationship - which is perfectly pictured in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 “Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ… That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them...”

Relationship and reconciliation are core to the character of God, and we know this because of how He revealed Himself in Christ. (Hebrews 1:3)

The reconciliation of relationship is the work that Christ has given us.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 “[God] ...has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 ...and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God.’”

The Holy Spirit empowers us to accomplish this mission of reconciliation.

As God’s people, and Christ’s Body on this Earth, we must adopt the same values and priority for relationship and reconciliation.

This also extends into our own personal relationships with family and friends. Following Christ means being passionate about reconciliation and unity in every circle of our life. (Colossians 3:12-14)

REFLECT

Let’s take a moment to pray

Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight and draw our attention to what He wants us to see and understand today

APPLY

Process the passage together with these questions:

[Allow the conversation to go where people take it - we want people to feel the liberty to explore the topics of the passage that stand out to them. Select the questions from below that you think are right for the conversation, or add your own. Questions should be focused, yet open-ended. Wherever the conversation goes, help your group “land the plane” on the core idea of the lesson when you wrap up.]

How does our perspective on life, affect the value and priority that we place on relationship?

What are some excuses we make for not pursuing reconciliation with others?

Verse 7 talked about walking by faith and not by sight. How can we walk by faith and not by sight, in the way we approach people, evangelism, and reconciliation in our own personal relationships?

Where we want to “land the plane”

When we are looking with natural eyes, it’s easy to be self-centered, judgmental, and dismissive of other people. We overvalue our desires and undervalue relationship and reconciliation. But when we see with spiritual eyes, we see ourselves, our lives, and other people in a way that motivates us toward reconciliation and relationship. This is the work that is closest to the heart of God. It was the work of Jesus on the cross. And it is the work He has given to every person who belongs to Him.

Exhortation for the Week

Do the work of reconciliation that God has given you, within your circles of relationship and influence. If you don’t know what to do, ask the Holy Spirit for insight and direction.