Text: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
***This is Paul saying- Our perspective is correct. We are living in a constant awareness of God, and in proper respect to him at all times. And as we live that way, we are looking to persuade those around us to turn to God. This requires a certain amount of "hey, look over here...this is really cool" kind of living. It means at least initially we draw attention to ourselves in order that we might then draw attention to God. In doing this there is a fear that people think we think we are all that, and this is why Paul says--What we are is plain to God and I hope plain to you as well.***
12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
***Not sure what is going on here. Sounds like Paul is asking for money, i.e. support from this church, and is not wanting them to be offended by his asking, but wanting them to take pride in the ministry that Paul is doing, as well as be able to answer those who want to see outward success as opposed to heart changing ministry.***
13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
***Pursuing God often requires behavior that is completely contrary to what common sense says to do. If we are in our right minds, it is because we want to convince as many people as possible to follow this radical road.***
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
***Christ's love compels us - we are motivated by love. Love gets us going. Love gets the wheels turning. Love moves us. This would be my major disagreement with Atlas Shrugged. That movie/book suggests that it is not love but profit that is the primary mover of the the world. That when you allow people to make things, and make a profit on things, without interference, that really good things happen. I would suggest that love is the primary mover for a Christian. And it is not just our love for each other that motivates us. Because our love is imperfect at best. It is the love of Jesus. Look at this sentence. We are convinced that one died for all. What does that mean? Was Jesus scared to die? No. What brought him to a point of fear was the wrath of God being poured out on him. The wrath of God directed at every person who has ever walked this planet. One died for all. And therefore all died - meaning our death has already happened in his death. Everything that was to fear about death has been removed but His death.***
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.
***So how does this change the way we live. We no longer live for ourselves, but for him who died. Why are we here? To serve Jesus. Our one and only purpose, that overrides all other purposes is to serve Jesus. So then I have some practical questions. How important is it to come to church? How important is it to give to church? How important is it to talk to your neighbors and friends about Jesus? How important is your small group?***
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.
***What on Earth does this mean? Does it mean we see people as desperately in need of Jesus. Do we see them as living with upside down motives.***
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
***I love this verse. I memorized this verse many years ago. It is the verse I cling to when times get rough. When it all seems so hopeless, this verse brings joy. It brings hope. When we are in Jesus, we are a completely new creation. Today, I re-synced my iPod. It asked me if I wanted to erase the music and videos and write over them with the music on my computer. I said YES, and my iPod became new again. Everything changed. What was there before is gone, and what is there now was not there before.***
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 people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
***This is perhaps the most bizarre part of a truly mind-boggling God. He has turned to us to be his voice. We are to live lives that are so in tune with his goodness and his love that people will be drawn to Him.***
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.
***What is the best news you have ever got to give? Perhaps you remember calling your family and friends to say you were engaged, or calling your parents to let them know they have a new grandchild. Or to tell your friends that you got that job you wanted, or that you have won the lottery. We have news that blows away all of those. Add them all together, multiply by a million and you still are not even close. God no longer counts people's sin against them. Forgiveness is available. Life no comes with a Do Over Button.***
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!!! That is just crazy talk. It is insane. Who would believe that? We have available to us the power to live a life that is no longer evil. A life that goes beyond even neutral. We can live a perfect life! How? By faith in God!!
Title: Why serve? Motives for Ministry.
Question one: Why didn't God take us to heaven the moment we believed in his
saving grace?
Answer: We are here to serve.
Question two: If you were to write on a sheet of paper all the ways you served
this week, what would you write?
Observation: If you approached your employer with the same answers, it would
not go well.
Question three: why do we serve?
Answer one: We fear the Lord. (I Cor. 5:11)
Let's reverse this one. If you are not serving, does this indicate a lack of fear. Do you believe that it really does not matter whether or not you serve Jesus. When you die, what do you intend to tell Jesus about how you lived?
Answer two: We are compelled by love (I Cor. 5:14)
Do you truly understand how much Jesus loves us? Do you understand what he offers to us? Are you willing to give your life to a God who loves you that much?
Mark Kraakevik
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