2 Corinthians 5:11-16

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” vv2-5

My fellow saints, I greet you in the same way this morning. Welcome.

Our Father is good to His children - isn’t He? At the end of todays’ service - We have the honor and privilege of baptizing 6 brothers and sisters in Christ.

INTRO

This morning, I’ll be preaching from Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth - 2 Corinthians, chapter 5: vv11-16, in my first ever sermon series titled: A New Creation - Pt. 1

I will continue in vv17-21 on March 22nd, for the last sermon - A New Creation - Pt. 2

It’s probably the shortest sermon series in the history of CBC, but I’m excited to preach it none-the-less.

Prayer

But before we do anything, let’s go to our Father in prayer and ask that He would give us an appropriate heart posture to receive the food - that is His Holy and perfect Word.

Father, who are we that You would be mindful of us. A generation of stiff necks and hardened hearts. Not practicing what Your Word tells us like we ought to, but doing the very opposite. It is with a great desperation, we seek You this morning. Forgive us for living by the flesh this week. For not living up to the standard that Your Word clearly calls us to. Father, we invite You to make the appropriate changes to our heart so that we would learn how to live a life that glorifies You and You alone.

AMEN

On my desk upstairs, I have a wooden bible stand that has the following quote by Charles Spurgeon engraved on it:

“I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness which remains in him.”

I believe this to be true. I certainly believe this of myself. A reminder of how we remain in a constant state of war with our flesh.

Paul knew it. In Romans 7, vv14-15 he writes,

“For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into the bondage to sin. For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate.”

I don’t know what it must have been like for Paul, but, this much I do know.. The deeper the sanctification - the clearer it becomes, of how far from God I really am.

Much is expected, because much has been given on our behalf.

If you came here this morning hoping for a feel good sermon void of any conviction, you’ve come to the wrong church. Some of y’all have probably figured out by now that I’m not that kind of preacher. I’m not concerned with our comfort - I’m concerned with being convicted by God’s Holy Word -

As the writer of Hebrews says 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

As we’ll read later in Scripture, Christ gave all - not so that we could give some in return- but everything.

SERMON

If you would please take out your copy of God’s Word and make your way over to 2 Corinthians, chapter 5 vv11…

While you’re making your way there… I want to ask -

What is it that motivates or drives you - in this life?

Is it security, survival..

Belonging or relationships…

Is it achievement and success…

Power - Influence and control over others…

Is it your identity and self worth.. your comfort - traditions - the safety of consistency.

I hear all the time that, “people hate change”. Well, it’s awfully difficult to address the idea of sanctification in the Christians’ life, without consistent life-altering and sometimes radical change.

As a matter of fact Peter writes in his second letter, chapter 1, vv 5-7 that we are to increase in moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love…

And in vv8-9 he says,

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive, in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.”

What is it that really motivates or drives us church? Perhaps the better question is - Who should be driving us? *Be sure to notate that verse for later.

For Paul, there were two things. We’ll see the first in v11 and the second in v14. But before we get to the text, let me set the stage for what seems to be going on in the city of Corinth in 56 AD.

The church at this time is experiencing disunity, immorality and false teachings.

Scholars would compare the city of Corinth to a modern day Las Vegas.

Paul was concerned about sexual immorality - some of which - even shocked the surrounding cities.

Divisions over various leaders and teachings led to factions in the church.

False teachers who distorted the Gospel, and tried to convince the church that they were superior to Paul in every way.

These men - skilled orators, persuasive, teaching that spiritual maturity equates to success and lack of suffering. They were highly trained and checked all the boxes that the early church might have been looking for in a teacher.

Paul sarcastically refers to them as “super apostles”, but Apostles they certainly were not.

As we work our way through the text, I want you to pay attention to the driving force behind Paul’s ministry and how we need to weigh that against our own life.

2 Corinthians 5 vv11-16, are you there with me?

I’ll be reading from the NASB.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also well known in your consciences.

12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

13 For if we have lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;

15 and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Two motivating factors for Paul,

The first is “knowing the fear of the Lord”. He answers why, back in v10.

"For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.”

v11

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord. The word “knowing” indicates it was something that the Christian understood. They understood what Paul was saying in v10, regarding Christ’s judgement (not condemnation) of his servants - the account we’ll all have to give before the Lord one day.

It’s the fear of the Lord, that motivates him to, as he puts it, we persuade people or “evangelizes men”.

Now, I’ve got to stop here for just a second because I don’t want us to miss what’s happening here.

Pauls writes in his first letter to the Corinthians in chapter 9, and says

“woe to me if I do not preach the gospel”.

Paul recognizes that he is without excuse to do what God has already and very clearly called him to do. We don’t all have the gift of evangelism, but we certainly are all called to be His witnesses.

It’s the command Jesus gives in Matthew 28:18-19 when He said.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been giving to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.”

Church, we are not off the hook when it comes to sharing the gospel and witnessing to those around us. We are not off the hook at living a life that represents Christ.

It is the responsibility of every believer and we will absolutely give an account for each occasion that we either share the gospel or don’t.

Paul understood this to the extent that he was beaten and thrown in prison for it. Paul wasn’t concerned with his own welfare - he didn’t care what happened to himself, only that he obeyed what the Lord commanded.

Do you have a legitimate fear of the Lord or not?

Is God enough to motivate you to share the Gospel - the hope that you have in Christ to the extent that you’d be willing to endure beatings and prison for it?

Are you willing to be uncomfortable for Christ.

Knowing that there are people in our community who are going to hell.

Personal Reflection:

Let me ask you this. What would your response be if I ended the service right now and said, we’re going to gather in the parking lot and scatter in all directions as far out as the city limits and share our personal testimonies on how we came to Christ with every person we see?

How would y’all respond to that? Isn’t that what God calls His people, and His church to do? What kind of church do we want to be and does that align with the Word or not?

A group of about 10 of us were in Dallas a few weeks ago for the Empower Conference. We left right after church because we signed up for a preaching summit that Dr. Robert Smith taught.

If you ever get the opportunity to listen to him speak, you won’t regret it.

He had this to say about preaching..

“People want what’s palatable, even if it’s not profitable. But you give them what’s profitable until it becomes palatable.”

Paul preached and taught what was profitable despite what others thought because he knew full well the fear of the Lord.

He continues in v11, “but we are well known to God,”

Some scholars say Paul is referring to the fact that one day his apostleship will be revealed before the judgment bench of Christ, but he also understands that his entire ministry stands revealed to God in the “here and now”, and thus, it correctly motivates him.

For our God, is not absent God, unaware of what we’re doing here on earth. He sees us in this place - our hearts fully known to Him.

He finishes the verse with, I hope that we are also well known in your consciences.

Paul is essentially saying that he hopes they can “understand” the character of his ministry, just as God does. Or as we might say, I hope you can see and understand my heart, the fruit that is evident in how I live my life.

12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

Paul’s not commending himself or boasting from a place of strength or pride as some had said of him, but he’s drawing a contrast in that they can be proud of the ministry they’ve seen from him in comparison to the “super apostles” who take pride in appearance and not in heart.”

13 For if we have lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

You can preach an entire sermon series on just this verse, but for time sake, Paul is saying regardless of how you choose to judge me and my ministry, know this, I do it out of my life surrendering commitment to God and to you, “the church”.

As a pastor, I can somewhat relate to Paul in this way. But, can I just tell you, that you have 3 pastors here who are desperately sold out for Jesus.

We are not here for our own benefit or for some prideful gain. It’s our sincere hope that each of y’all are just as in love with Christ as we are.

That you would seek the Lord with a whole heart and surrender your hopes, dreams, and wants to One and only One who is deserving of it.

We want to see you grow in spiritual maturity and run the race that God has set before you.

Cheering you on, encouraging you.. and yes - calling you out when you’re not. Just as you should for us, because we have the affection of Christ for you. It’s our love for you.

But there is an even greater love that Paul shares here in v14. It is Pauls’ second motivating factor..

14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;

This phrase, “the love of Christ” doesn’t refer to the love we have for Him, but rather the love that Christ has for us.

And His love is absolute and evident to all, through his death and resurrection.

And it’s this love that Paul says controls us or constrains us from living however we want. Christ’s love replaces any self-serving or selfish desires that we could have in this life.

It’s a love so great that it doesn’t bend to or allow any other options, except complete obedience to it. It’s unavoidable for Paul, he has no choice but to surrender to it.

And it’s the very same for us…

Then he says, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;

Romans 5:18 says this,

“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.”

And because Christ died for all, we are His and only His, forever.

Church, your former life before Christ is in the grave, rotting away, never to be resurrected - ever again.

Some of us really need to put down the shovel and stop trying to dig up and live that former life.

And here’s why,

15 and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

And here it is church. So that those who live - would no longer live for themselves. But for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

Can I tell you, that when God revealed Himself to you and you surrendered your life to Him, you gave up the freedom to live for yourself.

When did we start believing the lie that the death - burial - and resurrection of Christ Jesus has no effect on how we live our lives?

Your personal preferences died with Christ. This isn’t your church - It’s Christ Jesus’ church and we had better get out of the way and quit telling Him how to care for His bride.

But some of us try to argue with God don’t we? Somewhere in our feeble minds - we try to direct God’s steps and not just in our own lives, but in the lives of our brothers and sisters.…

“God you need to do something about that person….

We do that - don’t we.

But we need to wake up because God doesn’t need us to tell Him what He oughta be doing! The only thing that should be coming out of our mouths is:

God break me -

Change me -

Fix me -

I’m the problem -

Jesus, You died for us - because of our sin, our rebellious heart, and instead of living for You - we keep trying to resurrect our old life from the grave where Jesus left it.

Did we forget what,

Galatians 2:20 says,

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me.”

David says in Psalm 4 in v2,

“How long will you love what is worthless and strive for a lie? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly person for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.

Church, maybe we don’t hear from the LORD, because we love what’s worthless and strive for lie instead of living a life set apart from this world.

Perhaps our tradition has gotten in the way of our obedience. Perhaps we’ve put other things first, instead of putting God first.

Perhaps when Jesus looks at us, He sees a people who are after their own hearts. Flesh focused. Living by what’s seen instead of Faith in the One who is.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Paul is referring to how he used to see Jesus in the flesh prior to his conversion. When he was in opposition to Jesus and his followers. God rocked his world didn’t he? He was never the same after that.

He’s telling us in the same way not to look upon the flesh - the outward appearance of our brothers and sisters, because that’s not the lens believers see through anymore.

He says this because some in the church were more concerned with Paul’s appearance in the flesh instead of what really mattered - his fear of the Lord and the love of Christ which constrained him from living a life according to the flesh or the world. The selfish life vs the selfless life.

My brothers and sisters, Which kind life are you living?

Conclusion

Church, can I challenge you today?

Here in a few moments, the worship team is going to come up and lead us in a song of response.

During this time, would you ask the Lord to answer this question concerning your life in light of 2 Peter 1:5-9

Am I living like a new creation?

After the response song, we’re going to have several Baptisms. Brothers

And sisters who have already given their lives to Christ.

The Baptist Faith and Message has this to say: “Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.”

Can I encourage you, that if you have never confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord and have never believed in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, would you consider the reality that there is a heaven and there is a hell.

Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. No one comes to the Father, except through the Son.

He died to pay the full price and due penalty for your sin in order to bring you back into fellowship and a right relationship with the Father. Eternity is a serious conclusion for your soul. Don’t wait.

For the believer, consider the seriousness of the cross and remember that your former life of the flesh was buried with Christ. - Let’s live like it.

Prayer

Father, how Your Word cuts straight to our hearts and results in transformation. We depend on You for all things. Help us to die to self and live a life that is a reflection of Your character. To live as a new creation, the way that You intended it. For Your glory. You are better, Your ways are better, this is Your church, it does not belong to us. We are a desperate people who long to abide in You.

Amen

**LONG ENOUGH FOR THE WORSHIP TEAM TO COME UP**

Church as our worship team leads us in a song of response, we’ll have brothers and sisters available to pray and encourage you.

If you have a praise come.

If you need to repent and want prayer, come.

If you need to respond to the Holy Spirit, come.

If you can’t make it down here, just raise your hand and we’ll come to you.

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