The Ministry of Reconciliation, Part 1 (2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2) - 6/29/25

INTRO

• Paul’s ministry 2 Corinthians 2:14-6:10

• His encouragement to the Church

• STAY THE COURSE. FOCUS ON THE GOSPEL

• The Lord’s Supper. What He did.

• The Great Commission. What we need to be about.

• What motivated Paul should motivate us. THE GOSPEL MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION.

III.          Paul’s Philosophy of Ministry  2:14–6:10A. Christ Causes Us to Triumph  2:14–17B. Changed Lives Prove Ministry  3:1–5C. New Covenant Is the Basis of Ministry  3:6–18D. Christ Is the Theme of Ministry  4:1–7E. Trials Abound in the Ministry  4:8–15F. Motivation in the Ministry  4:16–5:21Motivation of External Perspective  4:16–18Motivation of the Future Presence of Christ  5:1–8Motivation of Future Reward  5:9, 10Motivation of the Love of Christ  5:11–16Motivation of the Message of Reconciliation  5:17–21G. Giving No Offense in the Ministry  6:1–10[1]

[1] The Open Bible: New King James Version, electronic ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998).

Recognition – v. 16

Regard – To know/perceive not by outward appearances, but by the heart.

 According to the flesh

• We are sinners by nature

  • Adams sin plunged humanity into sin – Romans 5:12-21

• We are sinners by action. Romans 3:10

• Therefore, we are separated from God

  • Enemies and alienated

  • Colossians 1:21; Ephesians 2:12, 4:18-19

• Punishment for all eternity.

  • Matthew 25:41; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

 EVEN THOUGH…NO LONGER

• He once regard Christ in human terms, he does no longer

• Paul did acknowledge Jesus as a real living person, but now Paul knew Him as Savior and Lord.

THEREFORE, We should view people not by the flesh, but within the heart.  (not humanly, but from a spiritual stand point)

• Our desire should be for seeing people come to true saving faith in Christ.

• Pray, Proclaim, Persuade, and then Pour our life into them.

  • Trust the working of the Spirit

  • Get the Gospel right.

  • Understand the outcome. Decisions that manifest into disciples.
    

Regeneration – v. 17

A new creation is someone:

• Was dead, but now alive

• Had no relationship, but now a personal one (BY NAME)

• Living in sin, living in newness of life

• Eternal damnation, to eternal glory

• We do not demand it, but rather…

  • Model it, expect it, encourage it, teach it

If anyone in IN CHRIST

• We have accepted His sacrifice as payment for our own sin. 

• Placed in a relationship with

• Walks and lives with Christ moment by moment.

The Old Has Passed

• Old values, ideas, way of thinking (OUR HEART)

The New Has Come

• Perfect tense. Past action with continuous results.

• That is why we are overcomers, more than conquerors. Romans 8
  

Reconciliation – vv. 18-19

From God – Through Christ – Us to Himself

• Romans 5:10 – We were enemies

• Reconcile: To make right. Once opposed.

• To change. From hostility to peace.

• It must be from God, because we are unworthy of our own. We have nothing to offer God that can pay the penalty of our sin.

• Through the BLOOD OF JESUS. What can wash away our sins…HE IS SAVIOR AND LORD

Not counting sin against us

• PAID IN FULL

• Stop living in the past/flesh.

• We are blood bought redeemed child of God

Entrusted us with this ministry and the message

• Ministry – word denotes humble service, such as serving meals.

• Restoring man with God, forgiving their sins.

• THIS IS THE MESSAGE. RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SIN.  BE RECONCILED TO GOD!

• BECOME A NEW CREATION… IN CHRIST!!!!!!!

• Only one way. THROUGH THE GOSPEL