The Reconciling

2 Corinthians 5:11–21 ESV

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Intro:

God’s Special Ministry

Paul was motivated by the extravagance of Christ’s love

He was uniquely and totally motivated by by it.

He has reconciled all sinners

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 ESV

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Jesus’ death was sufficient as payment for ALL the sin of all the people

Romans 3:10 ESV

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We all sin

Due to sin, we all deserve death

God’s ministry is to reconcile us to Himself!

Jesus’ death was a substitute.

We call this substitutionary atonement

Romans 3:23–26 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Our death payment was made through Jesus’ death

1 Peter 1:18–19 ESV

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

He has regenerated all repenting sinners

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

IN Christ: Pivotal words

our security is in Christ

Acceptance in Him

Future assurance of resurrection

participation in Divine Nature

2 Cor 5:18-19, 20-21

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 ESV

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:20–21 ESV

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Each new believer receives a new nature

He saves and sanctifies

We are recreated by God at salvation

Think of the language used in Scripture:

Born again

Passed from death to life

New creature

Salvation is the ultimate transformation.

WE are no longer slaves to sin and live for our lusts

INSTEAD: we are free to serve the Lord

Our Special Ministry

The Task

2 Cor 5:11-13, 21

2 Corinthians 5:11–13 ESV

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We have been given the ministry of reconciliation.

God desires sinful men to be reconciled to Himself

He committed that ministry to us.

The Title

2 Cor 5:16-17, 20

2 Corinthians 5:16–17 ESV

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

God has named us as His earthly Ambassadors!

ambassador

usually a wiser, experienced man served as a representative of the King to other countries.

ministry; service

God wants us to serve unbelievers by proclaiming the gospel.

This Paul’s way of reminding us of the Great Commission to make disciples.

We are evangelists:

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching An Evangelist

The term “evangelist” comes from the Greek and means “one who announces good news.” The word evangelist occurs only three times in the New Testament: (1) Philip is called an evangelist in Acts 21:8; (2) Among God’s gifts to the churches were evangelists (Eph. 4:11); (3) Timothy is urged to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5).

We have good news to share.. the BEST

God’s special ministry: Reconciliation!

All have sinned and are enemies of God by nature

God bridged that Gap in Jesus

Scope: in encompasses the whole world

All kinds of people, from all continents, all languages

ALL need the gospel

Revelation 7:9 ESV

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

And people from all the Earth WILL respond

Paul urges us to do more than just announce the good news, the word he uses it to implore

implore: beg strongly urge

Bad Salesman:

When selling candy for school:

a. You don’t want any chocolate do you?

b. You have got to have some of this chocolate!

Which will be more successful?

Our message:

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This verse explains the heart of the gospel

Jesus had no sin

He took on our sins

So God makes us righteous

Conclusion:

God has done all the heavy lifting.

Jesus took on flesh and died as a substitute for all.

it applies to only those who repent and trust Him alone

God has committed to us the sharing of that message

Like Paul, we beg all we can to be reconciled to God