The Ministry of Reconciliation
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & Love
2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (ESV)
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.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Sermon Outline
With the love of Christ controlling us (v14) the evangelistic task of God’s reconciled community is to extend God’s invitation to all.
1. The message
v14-15 “we have concluded that this: that one has died for all… who for their sake died and was raised”
v19 “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespass against them”
2. The messenger
v11 “what we are is known to God… known also to your conscience”
v12 “those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart”
3. The method
v11 “we persuade others”
v20 “making his appeal… we implore you…”
4. The model
v20 “we are ambassadors for Christ”
v21 “made him to be sin… so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”
5. The ministry
v18 “reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation”
Prayer of Confession
Merciful and loving Father, thank you for making reconciliation possible. We recognize it is we who had turned from you. We are guilty of rebellion, of thinking ourselves a greater power or authority than you, of foolishly believing the cynical and divisive voices that turn us against you and against one another. We have lived too long in the old way, trying to take life from others so that we could have life. We are worn down by the brokenness, corruptions and divisions of our world. Thank you for the offer of forgiveness, and the means with which you have provided it. Help us to live in the new way, where the life of Jesus given for us grants us a righteousness that was not our own, but is now ours by your grace. May we live as a new creation, ambassadors for Christ, who died and was raised so that we may no longer live for ourselves, but for him who loved us. May the love of Christ control us. Grant us the grace to live as faithful witnesses to you in word and in deed. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What thoughts or feelings does the word “evangelism” produce in you? What is good or exciting about evangelism? What bothers you?
What does it mean to have the love of Christ control us (2 Cor 5:14)? What other things control us? Is it possible to not be controlled by anything?
What is the gospel? What is essential in the message of Christianity? What is important, but not essential?
How are you tempted to live controlled by “outward appearances”? How do you live authentically from the heart when our hearts are still so imperfect?
How does the language of reconciliation inform your understanding of the nature of humanity’s problem and the invitation of God to receive forgiveness through Christ?
What is most compelling about the Christian message? What are you eager to share? What are you afraid or embarrassed to share?
Who can you share your faith with? Are there certain relationships where it seems impossible? Why? What barriers are there?
How does reconciliation with God work its way into restoration and renewal in the individual reconciled to God? Between people? In the way Christians relate to the world?
What are some things you can do to be more intentional and consistent in the work of evangelism?