Untitled Sermon (20)

Text: 2 Cor 5:14-21

Jesus told us to make disciples, which requires love and relationship with the body of Christ, as well as with the world around us. Application Point: We can live a godly life with help from the pastoral teaching of the Epistles, and in the process we can learn how important love for our neighbors is.

The word “epistle” comes from the Greek word epistolé, which means “letter,” “message,” or “dispatch.” In Hebrew, the word is iggerah, also meaning “letter” and mainly used for missives—long, official, formal letters, usually from someone in an important capacity.

It’s a distinctive kind of letter, one valued and worthy of honor.

Epistles differ from other letters primarily in their purpose. While letters can be about any topic and might be informal or even trite—think letters between friends catching up on life—epistles are instructional in nature. The tone is typically one of teacher to student.

Epistles don’t just appear in the Bible, however. They are a distinct literary genre, a moral essay of sorts, with a standard format — a greeting at start, then the main content, and closing with blessings and well wishes. The letters of Roman statesman Cicero are considered to be epistles, and the Epistles of Roman lyric poet Horace had a major influence on Roman philosophy and poetry. The epistles that appear in the Bible are largely written in the style of Horace. Some consider them to be literary masterpieces in addition to holy teaching. - Jessica Brodie

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-the-meaning-and-purpose-of-the-epistles-in-the-bible.html

This section of the Bible is important because it showcases

the issues people dealt with after the resurrection and includes teachings on day-to-day living,

the importance of our future hope.

These letters are highly personal, written to particular congregations and people groups dealing with specific issues in some cases; but on the whole, these twenty-one books of the Bible (Romans to Jude) consist of real life descriptions of faith, behavior, and future expectations.

The Epistles focus heavily on teaching Churches about

proper living as disciples of Christ,

how to interact with believers and unbelievers.

How to operate together in this assembly called the church

Reading Epistle Context are known done in three levels:

Their place in the Bible

Their place in History (Roman government) - Love that is different that the culture around them. We don’t live in brutal hierarchy like the Roman world, They live in love for one another.

Merging the Jewish and Gentile believers and the unity in Christ.

Context is how we properly understand Scripture. We read the letters in flow.

Recognizing that the Bible has much to say and that we cannot simply pull a e her and there to meet our need. But rather like a lawyer we listen to the argument made.

Just as the Covenant is the proper context from the OT. The church assembly is the context for the NT specifically in the Epistles. Proper life as a Christian is built on the idea of the love of God, self and neighbor Mark 12:30–31

Mark 12:30–31 KJV 1900

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Here’s the list of Paul’s epistles to churches:

Romans. Paul explains how the gospel works and how to respond. Paul wrote this letter before he had visited the Roman church.

1 Corinthians. In 55 A.D., Paul admonished the local church that he had founded in Corinth.

2 Corinthians. Come 56 A.D., the Corinthian church had escalated and then resolved their conflict with Paul. Second Corinthians is Paul’s a letter of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Galatians. Someone had misled the churches of Galatia—resubjecting them to the Law of Mosesand devaluing God’s grace. Paul writes the Galatians an aggressive letter to set them straight on their freedom in Christ.

Ephesians. Paul outlines doctrines of grace, peace, and salvation, and then instructs the church to walk in a manner worthy of Jesus Christ.

Philippians. Even though he’s suffering in prison, Paul finds joy in Christ. He writes to the church at Philippi urging them to take on a Christlike attitude.

Colossians. This letter explains to the church at Colossae who they are in Christ.

1 Thessalonians. The church of Thessalonica is setting a great example for other churches, even though they’re being persecuted for their faith. Paul encourages them to “excel still more.”

2 Thessalonians.  The affliction just won’t let up on the Thessalonian church, so Paul coaches them on standing firm until Jesus’ return.1 Timothy. This is Paul’s guide to godliness and sound teaching for the young pastor Timothy at Ephesus.2

Timothy. Paul’s death is drawing near, and he charges Timothy to carry on his gospel work.Titus. Paul had left Titus at Crete to set up order in the churches there. Now he writes Titus instructions for leading a counter-cultural church.

Paul considers Timothy and Titus to be his sons in the faith (1 Ti 1:2; Tt 1:4). He trusts them to manage their local churches well (1 Ti 3:15; Tt 1:5) and maintain his sound teaching (1 Ti 4:6; Tt 2:1).

Today, these letters still teach us how the church should be managed—they’re especially helpful for church planters.

Philemon is a hybrid of the two categories. It’s a message to Philemon, a leader in the Colossian church, but it’s addressed to the church his house as well (Phlm 2). In a way, it’s an open letter to an individual. Philemon’s runaway slave had converted to Christianity, and Paul was sending him back to Philemon. Paul encourages Philemon to welcome the runaway as a brother, not a slave—the rest of the church is witness to Paul’s exhortation.

Hebrews A letter encouraging Christians to cling to Christ despite persecution, because he is greater.

James A letter telling Christians to live in ways that demonstrate their faith in action.

Author: James (likely the brother of Jesus)

1 Peter Peter writes to Christians who are being persecuted, encouraging them to testify to the truth and live accordingly.

2 Peter Peter writes a letter reminding Christians about the truth of Jesus, and warning them that false teachers will come.

1 John John writes a letter to Christians about keeping Jesus’ commands, loving one another, and important things they should know.

2 John A very brief letter about walking in truth, love, and obedience.

3 John An even shorter letter about Christian fellowship.

Jude A letter encouraging Christians to contend for the faith, even though ungodly persons have crept in unnoticed.

Text: 2 Cor 5:14-21

In our text we find a great description of what Paul and the other Apostles were teaching.

The Love of Christ now constrains

The Sacrifice of Christ now saves

The Life of Christ now lived in you

New Nature of the Believer

Old Nature of the Flesh

Reconciled to Christ

Your Ministry of Reconciliation

We are ambassadors

The epistles serve the church by the explanation of what and how we are. And our purpose as representatives of him. The purpose of the believer is now to join themselves as righteous people to an assembly of righteous people that are pursuing the lost with the same hunger that Christ has come with and set aside all silly agendas to that end.