For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. - Romans 5:10
Good morning friends. In last week’s message, we covered the first 10 verses of 2 Corinthians chapter 5. Today, beginning with verse 11, we will read and study the rest of the chapter. I hope you’ll recognize some familiar verses, perhaps even a few you know by memory, in today’s text. I have titled this sermon, “The Ministry of Reconciliation”.
I. CONTROLLED BY CHRIST (2 Cor. 5:11-15)
In the previous verses, Paul stated that his ambition was to live and serve in a manner that was pleasing to God. He acknowledged that all Christians will someday give account for the deeds they’ve done in this life, whether good or bad. Knowing this, Paul and his colleagues sought to make their righteousness known to God and hoped that it would be clearly evident to the Corinthians (and others) as well.
It was not Paul’s intent to brag about his godliness, but rather to express the reason for it. Paul and his missionary team labored tirelessly in order to please God. As such, the Corinthians should have been proud of them. Paul’s example provided a stark contrast to those who took pride in the outward appearance (impressing men) rather than in a lowly, contrite heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
Apparently, some of Paul’s skeptics had questioned his sanity. His zealous commitment to the cause of Christ seemed too extreme for them to comprehend. They reasoned that he must have been out of his mind. Paul wrote that he knew exactly what he was doing. If he seemed crazy, it was for the Lord, for the Corinthians, and for believers everywhere.
Paul’s actions, and those of his peers, were controlled by the love of the Lord. Jesus died for everyone, and those who trust in Him for salvation should, in a sense, die also. Born-again believers should die to themselves, their own lusts, dreams, and carnal ambitions. Instead, they should live wholeheartedly for Christ - no matter how bizarre that might seem to some - because He died and rose again on their behalf.
II. RECONCILED TO GOD (2 Cor. 5:16-19)
Therefore, because they had died to their flesh, and knew that all true Christians do likewise, Paul and his friends no longer regarded people in the same way they had previously. Whatsmore, though some of them had personally walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry and/or knew Him as a man, they now recognized Him differently. Their perception of Jesus and those who trusted in Him for salvation had changed and become elevated.
Paul explained that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away and new things have come.” When a person encounters the saving grace of God Almighty, they are made new. This newness comes from God, who has reconciled believers to Himself through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Those who have been reconciled to God, such as Paul and his group, have been given the ministry of reconciliation. It is based on the foundational truth that God chose not to count the world’s trespasses against them, but rather to reconcile them to Himself through Christ. This is the word or message of reconciliation that Paul proclaimed.
The word reconcile is often used in business and finance. It means “to come into agreement”. When I reconcile my bank statement, I try to align my personal record of debits and credits with those shown by the bank so that the 2 match. In terms of theology, all have sinned and are separated from God. Our sin disrupts our alignment with Him, throwing us out of agreement with Him. Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is the only means of reconciliation with God.
III. CALLED AS AMBASSADORS (2 Cor. 5:20-21)
Paul concluded that he and his fellow ministers were ambassadors of God. An ambassador is someone who serves as a representative of their native country while living in a foreign country. The Bible teaches that we, as Christians, are citizens of heaven who live as strangers and pilgrims on the earth. While we are here, it is our privilege and purpose to represent the Lord well.
To that end, Paul passionately echoed and advocated the gospel message of his home country. On behalf of Christ, he urged all sinners everywhere to be reconciled to God. He was calling the lost to repentance, that they might be made new just as he had been.
Paul taught that God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf. He bore the full weight of humanity’s sin and paid its full penalty on the cross. In exchange, the LORD provides that sinners might become the righteousness of God in Christ. How is this transition possible? When a lost person repents of their sin and places their faith in Jesus, His righteousness is imputed by God upon them. Thus, the righteousness of a Christian is not their own, but rather that of Christ Himself. He bore our sin; we bear His righteousness!
CONCLUSION
As we close the message this morning, let’s quickly review and emphasize a few of the major points we’ve touched on.
First, Paul said that his life, and that of his coworkers, was controlled by the love of Christ. The love of Jesus held sway over them, salting their speech and lighting their steps. They didn’t just understand and teach the will of God, but also humbly consented to it and walked in faithful obedience. They submitted themselves to Christ as the Lord of their lives. Beloved, hear me… Jesus isn’t truly the Lord of your life if He doesn’t have control over it.
Second, Paul explained that born-again Christians are not the same people as they were before they got saved. They are new creatures, who were previously dead in their sins but are now made alive by God in Christ Jesus. They were previously corrupt and condemned, but now are forgiven, pardoned, and made righteous. They were previously separated and alienated from God, but are now reconciled to Him in harmonious fellowship.
In the beginning of this chapter, which we discussed last Sunday, Paul described a glorious day when each Christian will receive a new, glorified body that will endure for eternity. Though that has yet to happen, you can be certain that those who’ve been saved are already made new. This amazing newness is unfolding incrementally every day, and God can already see the end result.
Thirdly, just like Paul, all Christians have been called to be ambassadors or representatives of God. We are His witnesses who’ve been commissioned to proclaim the message of salvation to this lost and dying world that many might be saved. Notice that salvation isn’t automatic, but rather must be received. Therefore, on God’s behalf, I issue this heartfelt appeal to any and everyone who hears this message - repent of your sins and trust in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life. Oh please, wayward sinner, be reconciled to God.
Good morning friends. In last week’s message, we covered the first 10 verses of 2 Corinthians chapter 5. Today, beginning with verse 11, we will read and study the rest of the chapter. I hope you’ll recognize some familiar verses, perhaps even a few you know by memory, in today’s text. I have titled this sermon, “The Ministry of Reconciliation”.
I. CONTROLLED BY CHRIST (2 Cor. 5:11-15)
In the previous verses, Paul stated that his ambition was to live and serve in a manner that was pleasing to God. He acknowledged that all Christians will someday give account for the deeds they’ve done in this life, whether good or bad. Knowing this, Paul and his colleagues sought to make their righteousness known to God and hoped that it would be clearly evident to the Corinthians (and others) as well.
It was not Paul’s intent to brag about his godliness, but rather to express the reason for it. Paul and his missionary team labored tirelessly in order to please God. As such, the Corinthians should have been proud of them. Paul’s example provided a stark contrast to those who took pride in the outward appearance (impressing men) rather than in a lowly, contrite heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
Apparently, some of Paul’s skeptics had questioned his sanity. His zealous commitment to the cause of Christ seemed too extreme for them to comprehend. They reasoned that he must have been out of his mind. Paul wrote that he knew exactly what he was doing. If he seemed crazy, it was for the Lord, for the Corinthians, and for believers everywhere.
Paul’s actions, and those of his peers, were controlled by the love of the Lord. Jesus died for everyone, and those who trust in Him for salvation should, in a sense, die also. Born-again believers should die to themselves, their own lusts, dreams, and carnal ambitions. Instead, they should live wholeheartedly for Christ - no matter how bizarre that might seem to some - because He died and rose again on their behalf.
II. RECONCILED TO GOD (2 Cor. 5:16-19)
Therefore, because they had died to their flesh, and knew that all true Christians do likewise, Paul and his friends no longer regarded people in the same way they had previously. Whatsmore, though some of them had personally walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry and/or knew Him as a man, they now recognized Him differently. Their perception of Jesus and those who trusted in Him for salvation had changed and become elevated.
Paul explained that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away and new things have come.” When a person encounters the saving grace of God Almighty, they are made new. This newness comes from God, who has reconciled believers to Himself through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Those who have been reconciled to God, such as Paul and his group, have been given the ministry of reconciliation. It is based on the foundational truth that God chose not to count the world’s trespasses against them, but rather to reconcile them to Himself through Christ. This is the word or message of reconciliation that Paul proclaimed.
The word reconcile is often used in business and finance. It means “to come into agreement”. When I reconcile my bank statement, I try to align my personal record of debits and credits with those shown by the bank so that the 2 match. In terms of theology, all have sinned and are separated from God. Our sin disrupts our alignment with Him, throwing us out of agreement with Him. Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is the only means of reconciliation with God.
III. CALLED AS AMBASSADORS (2 Cor. 5:20-21)
Paul concluded that he and his fellow ministers were ambassadors of God. An ambassador is someone who serves as a representative of their native country while living in a foreign country. The Bible teaches that we, as Christians, are citizens of heaven who live as strangers and pilgrims on the earth. While we are here, it is our privilege and purpose to represent the Lord well.
To that end, Paul passionately echoed and advocated the gospel message of his home country. On behalf of Christ, he urged all sinners everywhere to be reconciled to God. He was calling the lost to repentance, that they might be made new just as he had been.
Paul taught that God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf. He bore the full weight of humanity’s sin and paid its full penalty on the cross. In exchange, the LORD provides that sinners might become the righteousness of God in Christ. How is this transition possible? When a lost person repents of their sin and places their faith in Jesus, His righteousness is imputed by God upon them. Thus, the righteousness of a Christian is not their own, but rather that of Christ Himself. He bore our sin; we bear His righteousness!
CONCLUSION
As we close the message this morning, let’s quickly review and emphasize a few of the major points we’ve touched on.
First, Paul said that his life, and that of his coworkers, was controlled by the love of Christ. The love of Jesus held sway over them, salting their speech and lighting their steps. They didn’t just understand and teach the will of God, but also humbly consented to it and walked in faithful obedience. They submitted themselves to Christ as the Lord of their lives. Beloved, hear me… Jesus isn’t truly the Lord of your life if He doesn’t have control over it.
Second, Paul explained that born-again Christians are not the same people as they were before they got saved. They are new creatures, who were previously dead in their sins but are now made alive by God in Christ Jesus. They were previously corrupt and condemned, but now are forgiven, pardoned, and made righteous. They were previously separated and alienated from God, but are now reconciled to Him in harmonious fellowship.
In the beginning of this chapter, which we discussed last Sunday, Paul described a glorious day when each Christian will receive a new, glorified body that will endure for eternity. Though that has yet to happen, you can be certain that those who’ve been saved are already made new. This amazing newness is unfolding incrementally every day, and God can already see the end result.
Thirdly, just like Paul, all Christians have been called to be ambassadors or representatives of God. We are His witnesses who’ve been commissioned to proclaim the message of salvation to this lost and dying world that many might be saved. Notice that salvation isn’t automatic, but rather must be received. Therefore, on God’s behalf, I issue this heartfelt appeal to any and everyone who hears this message - repent of your sins and trust in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life. Oh please, wayward sinner, be reconciled to God.