A Ministry Compelled By Love
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Introduction
Introduction
Text -
12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5.14
Title - A Ministry Compelled By Love
Background
Background
Paul wrote his second letter to follow up on his sermons in the first epistle to the Corinthian believers.
He urged the saints to forgive the sinning brother and to reaffirm their love for him.
He also reaffirmed that their ministry, which now includes the church in Corinth, is a ministry that gives life and brings people to God.
In our text, Paul urged the Corinthian church to be reconciled to God.
The Main Point
The Main Point
The ministry of a true apostolic church is a ministry of reconciliation: it reconciles people to God, and among themselves.
Sin may have created a havoc in the church, but God will prove Himself victorious through the people in the church who are full of the love of Christ.
Paul expressed love in this letter multiple times:
- I wrote… that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you
- ministers of God…by sincere love
- he was jealous for the church
- I will continue to boast of you…because I love you
- I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls…
Sermon Points
Sermon Points
What does it mean to be compelled by love?
What does it mean to be compelled by love?
The ministry of reconciliation is only so because it is compelled by love - the love of Christ.
Paul expressed love in this letter multiple times:
- I wrote… that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you
- ministers of God…by sincere love
- he was jealous for the church
- I will continue to boast of you…because I love you
- I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls…
Compel = Grk. SYNECHO
to hold together; to enclose, lock up; to overpower
to overpower
to oppress, to hold prisoner, to surround, hem in
- Jesus was held up by earthly destiny
- Paul was ‘hard-pressed’ …
Paul expressed love in this letter multiple times:
- I wrote… that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you
- ministers of God…by sincere love
- he was jealous for the church
- I will continue to boast of you…because I love you
- I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls…
To be compelled by love is to be forced by God’s love to feel for and look at people and thing beyond what the natural man will do.
God’s love forces us to
love the unloveable
accept the unacceptable
embrace the unthinkable
To be compelled by love is to motivated by love in all we do.
speak the truth in love -
rebuke in love -
serving in love -
give in love -
warn in love
What happens when a ministry is compelled by
What happens when a ministry is compelled by
We “judge” people through the One who died for them.
We “judge” people through the One who died for them.
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
2 Corinthians 5.14-15
Judge - Grk. krino, to be resolved, to become determined in mind
These people are already “dead to sin” -
even if sin sometimes prevail
even though sometimes we act like carnal Christians
These people are for whom Jesus died!
These are the people for whom Jesus cried out - “Father forgive them...”
We “regard” people through the death and resurrection of Christ.
We “regard” people through the death and resurrection of Christ.
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
2 Corinthians 5.16
2 Corinthians 5.15-16
Regard - Grk. oida, to know someone or something in the present through what was learned and seen in the past.
These people are a changed people -
no longer in the flesh, but in the spirit
no longer stubborn and rebellious, but easy to recognize their sin and error, humble of heart and repentant
These people are represented by Christ in heaven
These people belong to the New Creation - the New Race - that God is raising up for Himself!
We implore people to be reconciled to God.
We implore people to be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5.18-20
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
Implore - Grk. deometha, to beg for something that is indespensable
God was in Christ in order the reconcile the world to Himself.
the apostles’ ministry is a ministry of reconciliation - proclaiming the gospel that turns people back to God
“Be reconciled to God” - because all sins committed is, first and foremost, committed against God.
It is the word of God that sinners have transgressed
It is the will of God that we have offended.
Sin
“Be reconciled to God” - because if your heart and mind has been reconciled to God, they can now be reconciled with your brethren - both the offender and the offended!
- first to the Lord, then to us
Conclusion
Conclusion
As God’s minister before you today, I implore you all - be reconciled to God!
Do not harden your heart -
Forgive and receive foregiveness!
Be compelled by the love of God!
let love cover your sins and errors
repent because you are already forgiven!
Note:
This ministry was born out of God love for the lost.
This ministry was formed through the prayers of men and women who loved God and His message.
This ministry was established through the labors of the man of God - our pastor - who loved God more than anything or anyone, and loved God’s people more than himself.