2 Corinthians 5:11-15 “The Ministry of Reconciliation. Our Motivation.”

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My sermon notes for Sunday, March 31st as we continue our study through 2 Corinthians.  Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon.  To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net

2 Corinthians 5:11–15 – [11] Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. [12] We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. [13] For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. [14] For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; [15] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

 

INTRO:

An overview of Chapter 5 as Paul continues sharing about his philosophy of ministry.

It is a costly ministry with eternal rewards – 5:1-10

It is a ministry of reconciliation – 5:11-6:2

  • The motivation for this ministry – 5:11-15
  • The message of this ministry – 5:16-6:2

 

 

2 Corinthians 5:11-15 – The ministry of reconciliation.

(The Motivation)

 

Fear of the Lord – v. 11

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

  • 10 – stand before the judgement seat of Christ
  • HOLY FEAR. Regard and r\Respect
    • which leads to worship, adoration, and service

 

Self-assurance (self-awareness)– vv. 12-13

We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. [13] For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you

  • Self-confidence. Life of integrity
  • Yet, not self-serving
  • Beside or selves – crazy, fanatic.
  • For God. Crazy about getting God right.
  • WHICH LEADS TO AN OUTWARD INTENSITY
  • FOR THEIR SAKE. He was willing to be called a little crazy, so that they could consider the TRUTH of GOD.
  • PLEASE CHRIST AND PERSUADE OTHERS

 

Christ’s love – vv. 14-15

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; [15] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV)

  • A love that controls. A pressure that propels.
  • One died. In the OLD COVENANT thousands of animals were sacrificed, but still it was not enough.  BUT THE NEW COVENANT JESUS DIED. AND THAT WAS ENOUGH
  • All – all that place their faith in HIM
  • SO THAT WE MAY LIVE. WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A NEW LIFE IN HIM!

 

Romans 6:4-5, 8, 10-11 – [4] We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.[5] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. [6] We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. [7] For one who has died has been set free from sin. [8] Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. [9] We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. [10] For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. [11] So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (ESV)