God has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Golden Text:

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (an exchange, atonement, this for that)

LIVE BY FAITH, PLEASING CHRIST

A. Faith for an Incorruptible Body

2Co 5:1  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2Co 5:2  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

2Co 5:3  If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked (destitute of salvation).

…….Because it is a shameful thing to be found in nakedness, Paul describes the same as lacking salvation. Salvation is the covering and cleansing of sins. Without salvation, our sins are eternally exposed (Refer to vs. 10).

2Co 5:4  For we that are in this tabernacle (our flesh) do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

…….we who are saved are at times in anguish at the waiting of heaven. The Spirit filled believers are not in misery, but in a battle of patience at the thought of our eternal peace while on earth.

2Co 5:5  Now he that hath wrought (finished, performed in) us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest (a pledge paid in full) of the Spirit.

…….Though we groan or endure trying times, there is that greater promise of perfect peace. The work has already been accomplished, it is simply waiting on our arrival.

 

 

B. Faith, Not Sight

2Co 5:6  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2Co 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

…….Now that’s Christian confidence.

It is exhausting to feel sorry for people who always feel sorry for themselves, that attitude is no desire for faith!

Followers of Jesus Christ don’t walk around in disappointment and sorrow, but with a positive focus knowing of the eternal future to come.

2Co 5:8  We are confident, I say, and

willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2Co 5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

…….Though we are so ready to be with the Lord in heaven, we continue to labor because it is our duty. Not only is it our duty, but the only way to keep peace. Every gift of the Spirit comes though our giving in service. If you want more, you have to give more!

All of me for all of Him!!!

2Co 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

…….That great day of Judgement is coming, will you be able to kneel before almighty God and accept the reward of your faith?! Or will you be in anxious repentance having to apologize for ignoring His presence?!

 

 

2. RECONCILED TO GOD IN CHRIST Fear and Compelling Love

2Co 5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

…….Many people stay away from preaching fear, my thoughts; you better be afraid!

Hebrews 10:30  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

…….There have been times that the only thing that kept me going was fear! It scares me to the bones to imagine a life without his grace and mercy!

2Co 5:12  For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

…….He said, we don’t praise ourselves for the things that are performed in our ministry, but are the example of how ministry ought to be, an example to use as a standard against those who do praise themselves.

2Co 5:13  For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

…….We must always be level minded and at great attention around those who are without! Our lifestyle may be the only opportunity they have to see Jesus Christ!

2Co 5:14  For the love of Christ constraineth (holds together) us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

…….It was the love of Christ that arrested our hearts in the beginning, and will always be the love of Christ that keeps us together!

2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

…….He died so that He could live in us, and that we could live in Him! The only way to live in Him is to die within ourselves!

…….there is no other thing and any way, shape or form, that love and fear can so perfectly blend. We must love Him because he first loved us, and fear the possibility of falling out of His grace by the deception of the enemy. The only way to be assured the later will never happen, is to be in continuous devotion and obedience toward Him.

B. Proclaiming Christ

2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

…….Before salvation the only way Christ could be known was in process of thoughts.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

…….There are religious organizations who teach that the sinful past can bring guilt in the future.

Paul said “all things” are become new! “All“, leaves nothing out of the equation!

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (an exchange, atonement, this for that)

…….Because Christ traded our sinful life for a life of peace, that must be our ministry to others. A “life” of reconciliation is a “ministry” of reconciliation.

2Co 5:19  To wit (since), that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

…….we don’t walk around correcting and passing judgement to those who are without, it makes no sense to them. Only Christ can reach the hearts of man. We are to love, live the example, and give answer to every man who ask.

The times we are to speak correction to a sinner, it better be of the Spirit, and not through anger and lack of patience.

2Co 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors (representatives) for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

…….Question: what does you life represent?

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

…….Jesus freely took the guilt and punishment of every sin that we may live this life in righteousness through Christ. There is no other way to see God and be accepted. It is commanded, but will never be forced on us.

2Co 6:1  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain (empty, lack of seriousness).

…….Is your faith and dedication here today and gone tomorrow? Are you pumped for days at a time and then deflated when things get a little uncomfortable?

2Co 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted (approved), and in the day of salvation have I succoured (relieved) thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

…….He has heard our plea, approved our salvation and relieved us from the guilt of sin. Now is the time to to walk in salvation and be the minister of it! There is no time for halfheartedness!

3. EXAMPLE OF RECONCILING MINISTRY

A. A Spirit-Enabled Endurance

2Co 6:3  Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

…….We are commanded to never give a misrepresentation of the Gospel! We’ve got to live right and love right!

2Co 6:4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

2Co 6:5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

2Co 6:6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

2Co 6:7  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

2Co 6:8  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

2Co 6:9  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

2Co 6:10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

…….Through all things great and horrible, we are still to be the representative of Jesus Christ!

B. A Heartfelt Ministry

2Co 6:11  O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

2Co 6:12  Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

2Co 6:13  Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

…….A message not only for the Corinthians but for the church today!

He said we have opened ourselves up to you, now open yourselves up and receive!

The only way to become a minister is to be able to be ministered to!