2 Corinthians 5:14-21
14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Illustration/Intro: Seeking out Something New
-----
(14-15)
All have died, speaking of spiritual death
-----1 John 3:4
-----Romans 3:23
-----Romans 6:23
We weren't created to live just for ourselves!
-----Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
----------We need God's help!
----------God created us to know and enjoy Him, His creation, and the life He has given us
Many live to enjoy experiences and to live for pleasure. Just look at the Facebook movement! Twitter? How many followers do you have? How many people spend every waking minute attending to what you are doing and thinking? The world tends toward hedonism, or 'living for the purpose of pleasure', and yet God has a much higher standard that leads to true fulfillment.
----------Miracle: Slaves to sin --> Servants of God
-----Jesus Died and was Raised
Why is the Resurrection important?
** Turn to 1 Corinthians 15 **
-----1 Corinthians 15:17
-----1 Corinthians 15:19
-----1 Corinthians 15:22
- Shows God's approval
- Shows Jesus has victory over death
- Shows that at Jesus' return, we will rise with Him if we have put our faith in Him
------ Jesus is the 'firstfruit' of those who rise
(16-17)
Paul is saying that they used to see Jesus purely as a man. Now the Holy Spirit has shown that He is also the Son of God and Savior of the world. With that perspective inspired by God, Paul sees that all in Christ are new creations.
----- Others may ridicule or persecute
----- Those with the Spirit of God know the true transformation that goes on through knowing Jesus personally
** Look back earlier in 2 Corinthians 5 **
Summary: Paul mentions that while we are still here on earth, our ultimate perspective is looking toward Heaven.
-----2 Corinthians 5:5 - Given the Holy Spirit as assurance of our inheritance in Heaven
----------- All who put their faith in Jesus are given the Holy Spirit by God
----------- Simply ask!
-----We are New Creations in Jesus
----------- Old: Gone
----------- New: Here
Through Jesus, we can be brought to peace with God
HOW ARE WE NEW?
Remember Romans 3:23? Romans 6:23? Let's look at another passage, Romans 5
** Turn to Romans 5 **
-----Romans 5:10
-----Romans 5:8
-----Romans 5:1-2
And remember that this hope is through Jesus alone!
-----Acts 4:12
-----John 14:6
Remember how people seek new things? The Lord declaring you 'New' is the only fully lasting form of 'New' that you will ever get.
----- His mercies are new every morning!
----- As we walk with Him, He constantly keeps us renewed!
----- In the end, we will have a Kingdom to look forward to in which God has made all things new! No suffering, no pain, and NO SIN!
(18-19)
Paul mentions this here -- we can be reconciled to, or brought to peace with, God!
Given "us" the ministry of reconciliation
----- If we have experienced hope in Jesus, it is our duty and privilege to tell others about Him!
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Reconciliation -- bringing us to peace with God
HOW?
----- God forgives us through His Son
But again, the Gospel demands our response! We cannot reach up to God in our own strength!
-----Jeremiah 17:9
-----Isaiah 64:6
-----Romans 3:10
-----2 Corinthians 4:4
-----Romans 8:8 - Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
----------We can't do things to please God unless we have been transformed!
(20-21)
Plea -- not just of the Apostles, but of God, as well -- "Be reconciled to God!"
We can stay as His enemies, OR be brought to friendship with Him!
Significance, and key point in verse 21
"The Great Exchange"
- Illustration: Jesus taking on all our sin so we could take His purity and be acceptable before God
-----God offers lasting Newness
Application
Philippians 2:5-11 - Willing or unwilling?
Matthew 24:36 - Jesus will return, yet nobody knows the day nor the hour. He asks us to be ready. Will you be ready?
(1) If you do know Jesus, just as the rest of those who know Him, we are to spread this message of reconciliation through Jesus. My urge to you would be to tell others about Jesus. Share what He has done in your life. Share who He is with others! We are commanded by Jesus to make disciples of all people-groups, so let's obey Him out of love for Him and others.
(2) If you don't know Jesus, my urge to you is the same as the Apostles', and as they noted, God's urge to you -- "Be reconciled to God!"
-----One plus of this moment -- you have time to turn to God and be brought to peace with Him!
-----2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
-----John 10:16 - I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Are you a lost sheep, and the Holy Spirit is convicting you to turn away from your sin to follow Jesus? If so, don't ignore Him. Repent and believe! If there is any sin that you need to confess to God, or if you need to commit your life to Jesus, we will take some time now and pray, and I will leave some time for silent prayer between you and God and will close after some time.
Prayer
(Invite to prayer afterwards)
