2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NASB)
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Introduction:
Death Bed Quotes of remarkable Atheists !
Theme: Five reasons why God uses us to restore sinners to Himself so that we will embrace this responsibility as our great privilege.
Review:
I. We know Christ as our Savior vs.16
A. The outward achievements of men do not impress us vs.16a
B. Our pre-Christian knowledge of Christ is irrelevant to us vs. 16b
II. We recognize the new status of every believer in Christ vs. 17
III. We are recipients of the ministry of reconciliation through Christ vv.18-19
A. A ministry through which we personally benefit vs.18a
B. A ministry through which we reconcile others to God vv.18b-19
Reconciliation:
Romans 5:10-11
Colossians 1:19-22
Ephesians 2:14-17
“Reconciliation does not happen when man decides to stop rejecting God but when God decides to stop rejecting man. It is a divine provision by which God’s holy displeasure against alienated sinners is appeased, His hostility against them is removed, and a harmonious relationship between Him and them established .” – John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 2Corinthians, 200
IV. We are ambassadors for Christ vs.20
V. We have become the righteousness of God in Christ vs.21
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