Agent of Reconciliation

Introduction

Do we have any mission impossible fans in the building? You are most likely familiar with the Tom Cruise movies (Picture)

But listen to this video clip that has an iconic phrase that originated from the TV series

PLay video clip of “your mission, should you choose to accept it...”

Do you want to see God bring a breakthrough in a loved one’s life right now?

What about a friend?

What about those you pass by each day who may not yet believe?

Tonight, I want to look at the reality of our mission.

Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

2 Corinthians 5:14–21 CSB

For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Main Idea: The sacrificial love of Jesus has changed, compels, and commissions believers.

Think about things that control you in your life right now?

Don’t say them out loud but what comes to mind?

connecting with friends

being noticed

making grades

being on the team

finishing the project

If we take a moment, we can probably identify concepts, dreams, goals, and passions that control what we do in our day to day life.

They may not be bad things, they can be good. But are they the absolute best thing if we have been changed by Jesus.

How are we changed?

1. The gospel is that Jesus paid the sin debt for sinners. All who believe will be saved.

vs 14-17

Agape love - sacrificial selfless love.

Paul believed he was a sinner and needed Jesus to rescue his soul.

In Christ - we don’t have to experience the wrath of God. It has been dealt with in Jesus already on the cross.

He took our place!

Romans 10:8–9 (CSB)

On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.

2. We are new creations in Christ

vs. 17

Fresh start - new heart!

Paul was made brand new. From the inside out. He no longer wanted to live for selfish gain but for the glory of God alone.

This will be how you want to live too if you are overwhelmed by the love of Jesus.

How are we compelled?

3. The gospel changed our hearts and now we want to display this love to the world.

This word “compel” can also be “seize” or “controls”

The idea is not urging or driving, but shutting up to one line and purpose, as in a narrow, walled road.

Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 320). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

it’s what i like to call “laser focused”

Paul is still overwhelmed by the love of Christ displayed through his sacrificial death on the cross.

Paul was saved by grace through faith - and he never got over that.

This love was constantly on his mind - Christ loves him and this is what he wanted to live for.

1 John 4:10 CSB

Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

The love that Jesus has for us should overtake us. We can live in this truth every day.

Think about this - the LOVE JESUS has for YOU can overwhelm you each day.

It’s not that we don’t love Jesus - but if we’re honest - it can waiver and fade at times. But his love for us never stops - he displayed it on the cross and continues to love us even in our worst moments.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 5

The apostle was so overwhelmed by Jesus’ love for him that to serve and honor Christ became the controlling motive of his life.

What is the commission?

4. We are commissioned as agents of reconciliation and plead with people to trust Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (CSB)

Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

I want to focus in on one word specifically as we look at what this says about our mission as Christians.

I want you to circle the word “appeal” in v. 20 and also the word “implore” or “compels” or “constrains” or “controls” later in verse 20 as well.

Look at the urgency in these words. Another way to say this is “We BEG you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

The message of the church today is one of reconciliation: God in Christ on the cross has reconciled the world to himself and is willing to save all who will trust His Son.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 490). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

It’s a message for people to be spiritually reborn - made brand new in Christ Jesus.

Going on to verse 21 we see how the reconciliation is possible. Paul shares the same truth he did before but in a different way. He says that Jesus became the sin penalty, though he was sinless, so that if we put our faith in Him - we are made right (righteous) with God.

Yes - the gospel will change lifestyle patterns and can change a culture. But our main goal isn’t just social reform or living better lives.

Do we desire to see spiritual renewal happen in those around us?

Closing:

In Mission Impossible - the mission seemed to be impossible but there were lives at stake and it didn’t look easy. But it paid off because evil was defeated and lives were saved.

This sounds like the mission we are on.

Lives are at stake. Eternal souls are in the balance.

ILLUS: As I was walking the other night - i saw a pile of wood near the road for garbage pickup I guess. As I got closer I noticed it was a casket. Just out there in a few pieces but I was a little weirded out.

I almost wanted to get it and have it in here tonight for a closing illustration. I was thinking about this passage and how this is more than just words on a page - it’s a calling and commissioning for all who have put their faith in Christ.

We are to be agents of reconciliation because people need to hear of the great exchange - Jesus in their place. Jesus on the cross for their sins.

Will you surrender to this call tonight?

Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to let the love of Jesus control you and urge others to trust Him in faith.

And you can choose to reject this commission. But either way - you are showing a representation of something and will have to answer for how you live in relationship to this calling.

I don’t know about you, but I know that I didn’t deserve his great love but he loves me anyways.

I want to let him use my life to help be an agent of reconciliation for those who have yet to believe.