Ministry of Reconcilation
Notes
Transcript
Open your Bibles and turn with me to 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.
If you recall, I ended my sermon last week
with an appeal to our church striving towards 100 gospel conversations.
That goal may seem large, and it is,
but I wanted it to be large enough to require both faith and our diligence as a church.
Again, our job in evangelism is NOT to save anyone,
but to be faithful to God’s commissionto preach the gospel.
So, this morning, I want to continue with that thought
and preach a text that I cross-referenced
and ended the sermon on last week.
That is 2 Co 5:11-21.
On the surface, this passage is among
the most straightforward and powerful passages in the New Testament,
but a lot is happening here under the hood.
And there is NO way I can handle this text in its fullness here.
We also can’t just plop a text out of context
and make it say whatever we want.
We must deal with it in context.
And the context here, Paul’s back is against the wall.
He helped plant the church at Corinth, and in pastoring,
you aren’t always going to please everyone.
I know that surprises you. But you just can’t.
And that was true with Paul.
In fact, in writing some tough words to the church at Corinth,
he likely offended many of them, by confronting their sin….
to the degree that they didn’t really care much for Paul at this point.
He knows that. He addresses that sentiment in this letter as well.
But on top of this, there are some detractors who may be seeking the
opportunity to turn the congregation against Him as an apostle.
They were slick. They were polished communicators.
Perhaps they dressed with looks to kill.
They were sharp. They were religious influencers.
They had TikTok and a SOCIAL MEDIA platform - Super APOSLTES.
And then there is a humble Apostle Paul, NOT eloquent.
NOT seeking to be eloquent.
Been beaten, bearing scars, and the marks of gospel preaching.
And that was the corner these Super Apostles tried to use against HIM.
Who is PAUL, according to the flesh….
I mean, He’s a nobody, don’t listen to him!! He’s a tentmaker.
He gets put in jail for preaching, you know,
he’s NOT very impressive or slick.
If he were, he’d have a bigger following.
He’d look more glamorous.
And you know, we are tempted to do the same.
Measure success on tangible metrics.
Measure faithfulness based on looks and platforms.
Things according to the flesh.
We look at others and judge them on the basis of the flesh.
They have it all together.
They don’t need Jesus or they are too far to have Jesus,
and the same outward judgement ACCORDING to the flesh
is given by us, as where them,
and was to the Apostle Paul.
And so, the Apostle Paul uses this opportunity
to destroy that mindset among those who have been born again.
And He roots us deep in the gospel reality,
so that it might transform the way we view others,
and the way we view the world in which we live.
And then also, how we engage in our mission
as CHRIST FOLLOWERSin a world governed and measured by the FLESH.
To instead live as an AMBASSADOR for Christ, like the beloved APOSTLE PAUL!
Sermon Summary
Christ’s cross commissions reconciled sinners to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation.
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11 So then, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we have been made manifest to God; and I hope that we have been made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an opportunity to boast of us, so that you will have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God, or if we are of right 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 they who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgressions against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 So then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as God is pleading through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
------------------------ This is God’s Word, let’s Pray
I. The Motivation of the Ambassador (vv. 11-15)
I. The Motivation of the Ambassador (vv. 11-15)
What is it that wakes you up?
What gives you drive?
Purpose and passion!?
If that motivation is calibrated rightly, then a single passion
will carry you and sustain you through hardship, difficulties,
and keep you resolved to the very end.
Paul shares that passion for Him.
It is the Fear of God and the Love of Christ
11 So then, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we have been made manifest to God; and I hope that we have been made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an opportunity to boast of us, so that you will have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God, or if we are of right mind, it is for you.
Paul clearly states that his drivingPASSION for “persuading others.”
That is his calling as a minister of the GOSPEL, was first the FEAR of the Lord.
Paul says, so then….or THEREFORE,
KNOWING there is a right fear of the LORD,
I live my life and calling as an apostle.
Fear is powerful!
And this fear is referenced in 2 Cor 7:1 as the ground of RIGHTEOUS LIVING.
The same is true in the Gospel of Luke.
KNOWING there is a judgment coming,
and rightful fear we ought to have for God,
is a strong motivator to live with purpose and with passion.
It is this judgment that Paul has in mind –
2 Co 5:10 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.
SO THEN, knowing the FEAR of the Lord, we persuade others!!
These other Super Apostles were seeking to destroy Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians.
They are most concerned with outward appearances.
And perhaps they might say.
Paul’s out of his mind.
He doesn’t have the glamour or the appearance of greatness; don’t listen to him.
He’s always talking about the gospel.
He’s always zealous about these grand claims (out of his mind!)
and is always talking about the CROSS and suffering…
You know, come to think of it, they’d say, he’s talking like a madman.
But Paul isn’t concerned with GREATNESS in the eyesof man.
He’s NOT concerned with appearances.
The word there for appearance literally means “FACE”.
Paul says, I’m not concerned about the FACE…
I’m concerned about the HEART.
I appeal to the conscience….Your conscience.
Paul says, I’m trying to help you see what is driving me,
isn’t looking a certain way,
but living with a PURE HEART!
And Paul says, I may sound like a madman.
I may sound out of my mind.
This charge would be brought against Paul
when He stands before Agrippa in Acts 26 and other places.
And Paul says here.
If someone says I’m out of my mind.
It is only because I’m out of my mind,
and astonished by the GOSPEL of GOD!!....
But for you, I’m sane, I'm right-minded.
But should the gospel NOT compel us!!???
Should it NOT move us with purpose!!??
It’s what drove Paul to great passion and ZEAL.
THE FEAR OF God.
The coming judgment.
I’ll be judged.
They’ll be judged.
And the reality of judgment is what causes me
to convince men to TURN to CHRIST in repentance and FAITH!!
And is my appeal to 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 they who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Paul says more than judgment and FEAR.
It is LOVE. This is the right and full expression of FEAR of the LORD.
He says, for the Love of Christ CONTROLS us.
The word there, “controls,” means to be hemmed in.
To close up. Lit – it means to SEIZE.
That when Paul considers the GOSPEL reality.
That Christ has given His life.
It is the compelling reality that drives his LIFE.
That One DIED for all. Therefore, all died.
Now, there is a discussion about who “ALL” is in this text.
It has led some into the error of universalism.
It has led others into the error of decisionism.
But to bring simply clarity to the text.
They are ALL those in CHRIST.
That is to distinguish that Christ’s atonement
is sufficient to save to the UTTER MOST.
NOT only our sins, but the sins of the WHOLE WORLD.
BUT Christ’s atonement is EFFECTIVE.
EFFICIENT only to SAVE THOSE who TRUST in CHRISTfor SALVATION!
And for those in Christ.
Through the death of Christ.
We have been brought from death to LIFE.
We have been delivered from the old man and into the new man.
And notice the purpose statement!
V.15 – SO THAT they would no longer live for themselves, but for HIM who died and rose again on their behalf.
Somebody ought to say that Christians are to live differently -- AMEN?
Because we don’t belong to ourselves, but we belongto CHRIST!
7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
When Paul thinks about his own conversion….
What compelled the Apostle Paul before his conversion
was a great zeal for his religion.
He was a Pharisee of Pharisees.
He was trained in the strictest and most advanced
theological training of Judaism. GAMEILIAL
As for zeal, he was a persecutor of the Church.
He was a Hebrew of Hebrews.
But now, Paul has been converted.
He says the love of Christ CONTROL ME!!
That everything about his life has changed.
He lived with ONE purpose now.
When he considered the GREAT love of Christ.
It changed EVERYTHING for Him.
20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
He was no longer living for himself,
but in the fear of the love and compelled,
driven by the love of Christ!
And such should be us.
The motivation of what compels us,
what steers, and drives, and motivates us,
ought to be the very gospel that SAVE US!
we have received by faith.
It is to be the MOTIVATION of the Christian.
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II. The Mindset of the Ambassador (vv. 16-17)
II. The Mindset of the Ambassador (vv. 16-17)
Paul recognizes the reality of
Christ’s death and resurrection on behalf of sinners,
which didn’t just change his eternal destiny,
but his present outlook.
Paul’s entire mindset has shifted.
We have seen this throughout Luke’s gospel as well.
That the future, eternal, and spiritual reality
changes the way that we live!
But notice what Paul says.
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Paul immediately links
the death and resurrection of Christ to his way of living!
THEREFORE, in light of the gospel of Christ.
What he has done for me and in me!!
My LIFE is different!
We recognize no one according to the flesh.
This is how the world lives.
In fact, this is how these Super Apostles are asking you to judge me!
But I’m NOT concerned about the flesh any longer.
I’m concerned about the heart and the conscience!!
26 For consider your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
Living according to the flesh and knowing others
merely according to the flesh is how I once lived.
Again, Paul is thinking about his conversion on the road to Damascus.
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but having been brought up in this city, having been instructed at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today, 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering both men and women into prisons,
Paul’s life before he was a Christian
was entirely centered on living in the flesh.
When he considered Jesus.
He only saw him through the eyes of the flesh.
He was considered to be a crucifiedGalilean and a cursed criminal.
But when the Lord came to then Saul on the Damascus road in Acts 9.
EVERYTHING changed for Him.
He no longer regarded Jesus through the eyes of the flesh.
Or according to the flesh!
He saw Him as SAVIOR! As beautiful.
And everything he once held dear and precious to Him was but loss.
It profited him nothing!
4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
He no longer lives according to the flesh.
But according to the Spirit.
And now, he doesn’t see Christ as a mere criminal on a cross,
but the only savior who took on the punishment He owedto God.
And he doesn’t view other people through the lens of the flesh.
What can they profit him or what can they gain him?
Their financial status. Their family of rank or status.
What is their education?
Are they successful or NOT?
Paul says, " That’s NOT my concern anymore.
He sees them as souls in need of Christ,
or souls redeemed by CHRIST!!
How our mindset might shift
if we began to live with this mindset!!
NOT in terms of the world,
but through the lens of faith.
Seeing beyond the physical and taking notice
of a person's spiritual needs.
Their brokenness. Their sin debt.
They wage before God, a coming judgment.
Their need for a savior!!
To NOT regard them according to the flesh!
Because this is how we lived before.
Only concerned with the here and now.
NOT concerned with the Spiritual reality of Christ.
We saw no use for a Messiah on a cross.
It didn’t make sense to us!!
UNTIL!!!! The Lord in His grace changed our hearts!!
And Paul means to show us
that since Christ has changed our hearts.
We don’t see Christ that way any longer,
and we don’t regard others through the eyes of the flesh,
but through the Spirit.
Because what God is doing through redemption is changing our very nature!!
He is making us NEW CREATURES in CHRIST!!
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Paul, in effect, says this is the reason
we regard no one according to the flesh,
because those who are in Christ are new creatures.
Now, he essentially says the same thing three times, in different ways.
That if anyone is in CHRIST, they are a NEW CREATION!!
In the same way that God has brought forth this created world.
He spoke it into being.
Now, through Christ, who is the POWER of CREATION (Col 1:16-17),
has done a NEW work of CREATION in our heart,
through giving us NEW LIFE through His SPIRIT!
In the same way that God spoke light into the darkness, and chaos,
and brought everything into order.
THROUGH THE SPIRIT of CHRIST and the POWER of CHRIST,
God has breathed NEW life into our COLD, DEAD hearts,
and made us NEW in CHRIST!!
The old things – is a reference to the old man.
This is who we are in the FIRST ADAM……Who sinned.
In who, every person is born into and joined to by birth.
He is what theologians call our FEDERAL HEAD!
Adam’s deeds were our deeds.
What Adam deserves. We deserve.
We, like Adam, are transgressors, sinners,
now by birth, choice, and action!
We like Adam, because of sin, and our sin, deserve DEATH!
Therefore, what we inherit from ADAM is
SIN, DEATH, and SEPARATION from GOD!!
YET BEHOLD, in CHRIST, the LAST ADAM…..
if anyone is in CHRIST – the OLD IS GONE! THE NEW HAS COME!!
That in Christ, we have a new representative!
We have a new HEAD, if you will.
And in CHRIST, we inherit
righteousness, LIFE, and reconciliation to God!!
Do you see the connection Paulis making towards reconciliation?
It is closely connected to the NEW CREATION.
That’s because of Christ!
And only for those in Christ.
We are no longer who we once were.
We are NEW CREATIONS!!
THE OLD MAN is gone; he has died in ADAM.
And we have put on now the NEW MAN, CHRIST,
by the SPIRIT of God!
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.
The Apostle Paul knew this to be true.
He knew it practically that this should govern the waywe live.
But he also knew it personally.
12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He regarded me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 It is a trustworthy saying and deserving full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.
Paul is enthralled with what Jesus has done for HIM!
He’s NOT who he once was.
He’s been changed.
He’s been redeemed!
So, he doesn’t view people through the lens of the flesh any longer.
That is NOT His mindset.
Instead. He is concerned with the Spiritual man!!
And he doesn’t see people
for what they are or for what they’ve done.
But instead, what Christ has done to save them!
That they may instead be in Christ, and no longer in ADAM.
So, he wouldn’t look at others with disdain and think.
God couldn’t save them OR God won’t for them….
No, he was living proof that Christ can change the VILEST sinner’s heart.
And there wasn’t any more rebellious and centered on the flesh than Paul.
Paul knew of the one message to proclaim.
The only message of hope for lost sinners living in ADAM.
It was the GOSPEL of Jesus CHRIST.
Power of God unto salvation to all who believe!!
And no one was beyond that message.
Or outside of that message of redemption!!
No one was too far gone.
And no one was off His radar!!
I’m NOT viewing people through the lens of the flesh anymore.
Instead, are they in Christ,
or are they still in ADAM….and need the hope of the GOSPEL!!
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III. The Mandate of the Ambassador (vv. 18-21)
III. The Mandate of the Ambassador (vv. 18-21)
I want to remind you that the Apostle Paul is speaking to the local church.
He means them to be relevant and practical to them.
He’s saying that you are in CHRIST and therefore
ought NOT to be listening to the voice of the Super Apostles
to turn fleshly appearance to turn you against me.
I’m NOT boasting in that.
My boast is in Christ!!
And because you are in Christ, the church in Corinth.
This gospel ought to be the means by which you view others.
Me, Paul, as an apostle.
And also, one another.
In other words, this redemption that Christ has accomplished
works its way into our lives together and in the world.
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgressions against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
The Apostle Paul says in effect.
You know you have all the Super Apostles
showing off their official credentials,
well, here is my credentials.
I have been officially charged as a representative of the King
who has initiated a peace treaty with sinful humanity.
God has done this through Christ, His Son,
who is the power of Creation,
and the means of our New Creation, being found in Him.
And the term there for reconciliation or RECONCILE –
it’s a term that means to restore a favorable relationship
after a wrong has been committed.
It assumes discord.
It assumes offense.
But that in being reconciled, one sees the offense has been absorbed.
Namely, that God is the active agent,
pursuing reconciliation with sinners who have rebelled against Him.
The term reconciliation is different than that of justification.
justification is a legalterm.
It is a legal grounding.
To be justified would mean that the charges
or the demands of the law have been dropped against us.
It requires a final verdict.
But reconciliation implies peace.
It implies the judge drawing near to the offended party.
To bring true and lasting peace.
It brings relational equity.
And Paul says, we haven’t just been pardoned.
We have been reconciled.
In fact, listen to Paul in Romans 5:8-11
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
And Paul says, all of it,
through the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
That is, in the gospel.
God was NOT bending the demands of justice.
No, all our sins were placed on Jesus.
And Christ’s death was being counted as payment
for all those who trust in Him for salvation.
And in the great exchange of the gospel,
ALL of Christ’s righteousness was being transferred
onto those who hope in Him.
And thereby making peace with God
through the sacrifice and CROSS of Jesus.
This was to satisfy God’s righteous demands of the law (justification)
and bring peace between God and man (reconciliation).
20 So then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as God is pleading through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Wow, there is so much here….We are flying.
Paul speaks of this GREAT EXCHANGE
v.21. That Christ, who knew no sin, became sin….
NOT in His LIFE. But in His death on the cross.
SO THAT – PURPOSE STATEMENT.
In Him we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD in Christ.
This is how Paul describes it in Gal 3:13
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Forgiveness isn’t cheap.
Reconciliation isn’t free.
It was costly. It cost God the death of His Son.
And all it, God’s work.
And aimed at the redemption of real sinners.
That is the work of God in salvation had an intended aim.
It was to REDEEM, RECONCILE those
who were separated from Him; BACK TO HIM!
That means it’s a reconciliation that had us in mind.
It had the church at CORINTH in mind!!
That this redemption wasn’t some abstract concept
but anchored in the FINISHED WORK of JESUS
for wayward sinners, in NEED of reconciliation!
And Paul says, "You are a part of that!!”
You know, I hear people say, well that’s just NOT for me….
No, BELOVED, it is for YOU,
should you REPENT and trust CHRIST FOR SALVATION!!
SO Paul says, WE BEG YOU on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
And if you’re like me, you are thinking,
well, I thought this was the church.
They had already reconciled to God.
But Paul means that this reconciliation
might have practical implications
for their lives in the local church at Corinth.
As they have been turned against Paul,
and they are being tempted to go after these Super Apostles.
And they are looking at Paul with suspicion.
Paul is appealing to them.
Consider the reconciliation of Christ,
and may it be the means of reconciliation of peace among us in the church.
To be restored to the beloved Apostle.
Who isn’t boasting in Himself, or in the flesh,
but boasting in the Lord.
Who is only desiring to be faithful to proclaim Christ to the world.
Whose pursuit and passion is the message
of reconciliation of sinners to CHRIST!!
This is Paul’s continued appeal in the next Chapter 2 Cor 6:11-13
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. 12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. 13 Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.
Paul says, “Be reconciled to us.”
Be reconciled to true ministers of the GOSPEL,
NOT SUPER APOSTLES who put confidence in the flesh.
NOT SUPER APOSTLES who peddle the word of God (2 Cor 2:17).
Be reconciled through the reconciling work of Christ.
Why are you thinking through means of the FLESH?
Don’t think that way.
Think about what Christ has done.
What he’s done for sinners.
And be restored TOGETHER in CHRIST!!
This is my only PLEA, Paul says.
I’m NOT coming with lofty speak.
I’m NOT coming with confidence in the flesh.
I’m NOT coming in boasting about my accomplishments.
I’m only coming in the confidence of Christ,
as a true APOSTLE,
who has been entrusted with this message of reconciliation!
You know, it’s interesting,
Paul says that 4 times, in verses 18-21.
That God gave us the ministry of reconciliation (v.18).
He has committed to us the word of reconciliation (v.19).
We are ambassadors of Christ (v.20).
We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (v.20).
And I think the tendency is to read that and think.
Well, that’s what we’ve been commissioned with.
And I think the trouble with that is
that we get there too quickly and miss Paul’s point.
Because that’s the opposite of what Paul says.
Paul intends to show the legitimacy of His ministry.
He’s saying. This ministry rightly belongs to Him!!
It belongs to TRUE ministers of CHRIST!
Who have been commissioned and sent by the Lord
to proclaim the redemption of Christ in the church and in the world!!
Who is US and Whois WE in this TEXT….
well, we know that by looking at the opening verses of the letter – 2 Cor 1.
He’s talking about PAUL and Timothy.
He says this message has been rightly given to us.
I’m a true APOSLTE.
We are true MINISTERS of the WORD!
We are AMBASSADORS.
Ones COMMISSIONED by the King
to proclaim a message on behalf of the King!!
One who brings terms of agreement and peace
between the parties, through CHRIST the RECONCILER.
And you’re thinking –
well, great, then WHY are you preaching at me for!!!
And it’s because Paul knows that
the act of God’s reconciliation did NOT end with Christ’s death and resurrection.
It continues through the ministry of the sent apostles
proclaiming the Gospel and continues
through those who have been reconciled THROUGH CHRIST,
proclaiming, imploring OTHERS to be reconciled TO CHRIST!
That is, we continue with Paul
as sent messengers, to be reconciled to God.
Paul’s showing us the right mindset to live
in light of God’s redemptive work through CHRIST!!
And it’s NOT through the FLESH.
It’s NOT through living with CARNAL EYES,
but with EYES of FAITH.
It’s considering SPIRITUAL TRUTHS and SPIRITUAL REALITIES of those around us.
That we consider a coming judgment!
And we live in the FEAR OF THE Lord.
We are COMPELLED by the Love of CHRIST.
We consider our own redemption,
and it is the catalyst to LIVE NOT for ourselves, but FOR HIMwho died for us!!
We live with the motivation of CHRIST.
We live with the MINDSET of CHRIST.
And WE LIVE under the MANDATE of CHRIST
to proclaim this message of reconciliation to others!
Paul’s argument is that we have experienced
reconciliation and redemption,
and we live in light of that redemption in the world.
That INSTEAD, as ambassadors, we come with the terms of PEACE!
Peace that we ourselves have experienced and know,
and invite others into, with intentionality.
But that is what is needed.
Intentional focus.
A focused mindset.
NOT on the flesh.
And on every conversation under the sun.
But to be mindful of shifting the concern.
To see a bigger need than the flesh, but to recognize the HEART.
To be mindful of a coming SPIRITUAL reality.
And to persuade men.
To proclaim Christ and implore others to be reconciled to GOD!
And that’s really what this is all about.
To be mindful of such truths.
And that’s what Paul is encouraging
The Corinthians towards here in this text.
Away from the flesh and towards
the MOTIVATION, MINDSET, and the MANDATE
of AMBASSADOR for Jesus Christ!
Sermon Summary
Christ’s cross commissions reconciled sinners to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation.
And so may we do that, by His GRACE and FOR HIS GLORY!
In our WORLD, and AMONG US at GRACELIFE CHURCH!
