Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro:

TS: In this portion of 2 Cor., God through Paul tells us that what he did for us.

Our relationship with God was broken… so God fixed it – He reconciled us to himself.

Then, God says: NOW that He’s reconciled US to HIM… He wants US to be a RECONCILER with others:

Reconciliation means many things, but today we’re looking at this definition: “to fix broken relationships.”

In our text this morning, God tells us that that was what he did for us.

Our relationship with God was broken… so God fixed it – He reconciled us to himself.

What I find interesting about this passage is that God says: NOW that He’s reconciled US to HIM… He wants US to be a RECONCILER with others:

We won’t step up and do that if we aren’t firmly convinced of our own reconciliation.

Until our relationship with Christ reaches a point where it continually transforms our thinking and living, we will feel little motivation to share Him with others.

It is insufficient for us to say,

Jesus is the answer – I think.

Jesus can fill your empty soul – I hope.

Jesus is our only source of life – so I am told.

But, when we fully get a grasp of what God has done for us, as we surrender our lives, search the scriptures, satisfy the Spirit, & serve others, we get fired up about seeking the lost.

Hear the word of the Lord:

2 Cor 5:18-

We have been reconciled:

New Creation

In Christ

These two words comprise a profound statement of the inexhaustible significance of the believer’s redemption, which includes the following:

These two words comprise a brief but most profound statement of the inexhaustible significance of the believer’s redemption, which includes the following: 1) the believer’s security in Christ, who bore in His body God’s judgment against sin; 2) the believer’s acceptance in Him with whom God alone is well pleased; 3) the believer’s future assurance in Him who is the resurrection to eternal life and the sole guarantor of the believer’s inheritance in heaven; and 4) the believer’s participation in the divine nature of Christ, the everlasting Word (cf.

2Pe 1:4)

1) the believer’s security in Christ, who bore in His body God’s judgment against sin;

2) the believer’s acceptance in Him with whom God alone is well pleased;

3) the believer’s future assurance in Him who is the resurrection to eternal life and the sole guarantor of the believer’s inheritance in heaven; and

4) the believer’s participation in the divine nature of Christ, the everlasting Word (cf. )

-MacArthur Study Bible

New Creation

We are remade new in Christ

puts on display the profound change

New Relationship 2 Cor 5:18

Reconcile- restore friendly relations between

-cause to coexist in harmony; make or show

to be compatible.

cause to coexist in harmony; make or show to be compatible.

"a landscape in which inner and outer vision were reconciled"synonyms:make compatible, harmonize, square, make congruent, balance; raresyncretize

"he is trying to reconcile his religious beliefs with his career"make (one account) consistent with another, especially by allowing for transactions begun but not yet completed.

-make (one account) consistent with another, especially by allowing for transactions begun but not yet completed.

We see all of the nuances of those definitions at work

before we are saved, we have a hostile relationship with God.

Jesus brings us into a freiendly relationship

Our flesh and sin are by no means compatible with God’s holiness.

Through reconciliation, Jesus makes us compatible

Our accounts are out of balance.

We owe a sin debt which is impossible to pay back.

Jesus adjusts the balance by paying it off

We are to be reconcilers:

It is our position

Ambassadors

we are official representatives of the Kingdom of God.

Paul essentially begs them: be reconciled to God

Notice

We work together with God to urge people to receive the gift of salvation

It is our command

Great Commission:

1.

The basis of the commission – the authority of Jesus

2. The Scope of the commission – make disciples of all peoples

Some focus on the “go” part of this verse.

“Go” is not the main verb, it is a participle or “ing” word “going”.

The main verb is “make disciples”.

On the basis of the authority of Jesus in heaven and earth, make disciples as the natural course of your life on this earth.

“disciple” = student, follower

3. The process of the commission

a) Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

b) Teaching them to obey all Jesus commanded

The great commission does not stop with receiving Christ.

The great commission includes obeying Christ.

The Bible presents more instruction concerning our responsibility after someone becomes a Christian than before.

4. The power of the commission – I am with you always

5. The duration of the commission – to the end of the age

How do we do this?

Just do it!

Show what God has done in us

live a transformed life

Share what God has done for us.

Show the Scriptures:

It doesn’t have to be a polished presentaiton

It doesn’t have to be a cookie cutter approach

Conclusion:

Since God reconciled us to Himself in Christ Jesus, He now calls us to be reconcilers.