The Miracle/Wonder of the Ministry

2 Cor 9:15, 6-15; 5:18-21

Introduction:

At it’s heart, Christmas should focus on how God the Father motivated by love sent His Son. It is also about Christ loving us enough to empty Himself, become flesh, live and die in our place.

Reflecting on God’s inexpressible love gift in Christ, TO WHAT LENGTHS DID GOD GO/WOULD WE GO TO CONFESS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND LIVE THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION.

Although we often talk about personal faith in Christ and rightly so, and although we emphasize the independence/autonomy of the local church and rightly so, how we individually and collectively confess/live the Gospel of Jesus Christ impacts both unbelievers and believers. That includes both to what we do not that we should do and what we do that we should not have done.

In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul confessed that he continued to wrestle with that dilemma that he could not understand.

Romans 7:16–20 ESV

Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

The Scriptures are very clear. Confessing Christ and encouraging unbelievers to be reconciled to God are integral life expressions of being truly thankful for God’s gift of Christ.

The Apostle Paul noted two implications of true thanksgiving for God’s inexpressible gift in Christ.

Ministry of giving and confessing the Gospel of Christ - 2 Cor 9:15, 6-15

Ministry Motivation:

Collection for the Christians in Jerusalem - 2 Cor 9:1-5

Wrote to those - Corinth - in whom he has complete confidence - 2 Cor 7:16

Genuine love - 2 Cor 8:8

Example of Christ - through His poverty we become rich - 2 Cor 8:9

Our abundance now provides for their need and later if need be visa versa - 2 Cor 8:13-14

When people share, there is nothing left over and no one lacks - 2 Cor 8:15; Ex 16:18 - manna

Paul probably encouraged this special offering during his earlier painful visit after first letter.

2 Corinthians 2:1–4 ESV

For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Having written and visited, Paul was not confident that confident of their rebellion against Paul. For that reason Paul sought out Titus to hear what God was doing. Had the Corinthians repented?

2 Corinthians 2:12–13 ESV

When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 2:2–13 ESV

For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

Titus shared Paul’s concern for the church in Corinth and for the appeal offering for the church in Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 8:16 ESV

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.

Titus with another well-known unnamed approved brother will deliver this letter and accept the offering - 2 Cor 8:18-20

Paul who was always careful took these extra measures because the church in Corinth had attacked his apostleship - 2 Cor 12:11 - being a burden on the churches - 2 Cor 12:13 - not been consistent in making sure that quareling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit and disorder was in their midst - 2 Cor 12:20-21

Example of churches in Macedonia - Northern Greece - 2 Cor 8:1-7

Wealth of generosity though extreme poverty/according to and beyond their means - 2 Cor 8:2-3

Begged earnestly to have a part in the relief - 2 Cor 8:4

Gave first to the Lord then to us - 2 Cor 8:6

Harvest is directly proportionate to the seed sown - 9:6

Faith & trust in God - 9:7

God’s grace - 9:8

God supplies and multiplies - 9:9-10

Ministry Thanksgiving:

Supplying the needs of the saints

Thanksgiving to God

Confession of the Gospel of Christ

Generous giving & reciprocal prayer

2. Ministry of reconciliation - 2 Cor 5:11-21

Context - Judgment seat of Christ/worshipful reverence for God/love of Christ

We persuade others

We are known to others

We affirm that one died for all, therefore all have died

We live for Him who died and was raised

We regard:

No one according to the flesh

If anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation

Christ as having reconciled us and having given us the ministry of reconciliation

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us to be reconciled to God.

Message - “For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:20)