the motivation of love (2Controlled by Love)

Controlled by Love: Living Out the Heart of Christ

Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:11–21

Teaching: This sermon teaches the importance of being 'controlled' by the love of Christ, which leads to a renewed perspective on our purpose and mission in life. It highlights how this love compels us not only to live for ourselves, but for others, as ambassadors of reconciliation.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the ultimate expression of God's love, emphasizing His role in reconciliation. The theme of love as a driving force aligns with the greater narrative of Scripture, where God's love is the thread that binds the entire story of redemption together.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider diving into the context of 2 Corinthians using Logos to explore Paul's rationale for emphasizing love and reconciliation in his ministry. Look into the nuances of the Greek word for 'controls' to understand its implications for believers' behavior. Additionally, examining commentaries on reconciliation can provide insights into practical applications for modern audiences.

Two teachers. One who is only there for a check. I had a teacher who would walk out of the classroom and return at the end of the period, I hardly knew him, and I was not motivated for the “workbooks” that we were handed to us. Motivation of obedience.

The other teacher was one who was constantly hyping us up and took the time to learn all of our names and birthdays. I was highly motivated to pass this class and I actually became super interested in what he was talking

Big Idea: The love of Christ compels believers to become ambassadors of reconciliation, transforming their lives and the lives of those around them.

God wants a heart transformed FOR love

Not a heart that is only obedient.

A heart that is only obedient sees their bible and prayer as “workbooks” that need to be completed

A heart transformed by love dives into scripture excited to learn whatever the Holy Spirit has prepared for them

1. Compelled by Christ's Love

2 Corinthians 5:11–15

Fear of the Lord does not mean fear of final judgment but is a common theme in Acts referring either to fear as godly awe, reverence, and devotion (as in Acts 2:43; 10:2; 13:26) or fear of God’s displeasure and fatherly discipline (as in 5:5, 11; 16:29; 19:17; see also Heb. 12:7–10).

Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2101–2102.

v.12 “Those who boast about the outward appearance” are the “Super apostles”

they are false teachers because they judge incorrectly

How does God judge?

1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.””

focus on how Paul explains the transformative motivation of Christ's love. He urges believers to act not out of self-interest but out of love for Christ, who died for all.

It’s His love that initially motivated our love. And it’s His love that sustains it.

John D. Barry; Rebecca Kruyswijk

The love of Christ changes our perspective from living for ourselves to living for Him who died and rose again.

If you claim to love Christ and yet are living an unholy life, there is only one thing to say about you. You are a barefaced liar!

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

1 John 3:11–18 “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

I change, he changes not, The Christ can never die; His love, not mine, the resting-place, His truth, not mine, the tie.

Horatius Bonar (Scottish Minister and Hymn Writer)

This section challenges us to re-evaluate our motivations, suggesting that Christ’s sacrificial love should compel us to lead lives that reflect His love and sacrifice, thus witnessing to others.

The love displayed on the cross is a reminder that we aren’t meant to lead comfortable, self-focused lives. Jesus’ actions show us that love isn’t merely emotion—it’s sacrifice and self-denial. We live to love both God and others, and that’s best done with actions that serve.

John D. Barry; Rebecca Kruyswijk

2. Ambassadors of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:16–21

how believers are called to view others through the lens of Christ’s reconciling work. In verses 16-21, Paul talks about the ministry of reconciliation, highlighting that as new creations in Christ, we are entrusted with a significant mission.

This perspective shift—seeing others as reconciled by Christ—enables us to promote peace and unity, representing Jesus as His ambassadors with the message of reconciliation.

Galatians 2:6 “And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.”

1 Timothy 5:21 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.”

This section suggests that embodying this role transforms our interactions and relationships, aligning them with God’s redemptive purposes.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to let the love of Christ motivate their actions and relationships, fostering an authentic representation of their faith that can draw others to God, especially in a world filled with division and isolation. It teaches that selfless love and reconciliation are central to Christian living.

How can being controlled by Christ's love impact our daily decision-making and relationships with others?

What would your family , your work, your church look like if you all were CHRIST FUELED Jesus Freaks outdoing each other in love?