2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (Part 33) True Ministry: Its Motive and Message

• Its motive—5:11-15

• Its message—5:16-21

Its Motive—vv. 11-15

• Motives falsely attributed to Paul—vv. 11-13: 1) They said that he was crazy—why? a) The claims he makes; b) The fanaticism to which he dedicates himself; 2) Paul defends: 1) God knows our motives are pure, v. 11; 2) Even if we are crazy, it’s all for you, vv. 12-13; 3) Genuine motive is the love of Christ, v. 14.

The love of Christ constrains

• Is this Paul’s love for Christ OR Christ’s love for Paul

• He is controlled by Christ’s love for him (demonstrated at the cross, v. 14b)

• His love for Christ flows out of Christ’s love for him, v. 15

Constrains

• Hemmed in—the idea of being without options (without choices)

• “Held him”—Luke 22:63

• Arrested by Christ’s love for us

• His death leaves no personal options

Two fundamental convictions

1. Since Christ died for all

2. All have undergone death: 1) Death is never anticipated as punishment for sin for the believer.

Its message, vv. 16-21

• An attitude change, vv. 16-17 1) Old rejected attitude, v. 16; 2) New attitude, v. 17