8-25-19 Sermon Notes
“Reconciliation” – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Last week (week 12 of our thirteen-week series “The Real Deal”) explored what it means to be “out of our mind” for Jesus. This week’s concluding message is about reconciling ourselves and others with God.
Introduction
What is the definition of reconciliation? What is the meaning of irreconcilable? How many of us have been on both ends of these two terms? What is an ambassador?
The Ministry of Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 New International Version (NIV)
16 “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Message
Verse 17 – What does it mean to be a “new creation?”
Let’s look at what gotquestions.org has to say in this regard.
“To understand the new creation, first we must grasp that it is in fact a creation, something created by God. John 1:13 tells us that this new birth was brought about by the will of God. We did not inherit the new nature or decide to re-create ourselves anew. Neither did God simply clean up our old nature; He created something entirely fresh and unique. The new creation is completely new, brought about from nothing, just as the whole universe was created by God ex nihilo, from nothing. Only the Creator could accomplish such a feat.
Second, “old things have passed away.” The “old” refers to everything that is part of our old nature—natural pride, love of sin, reliance on works, and our former opinions, habits and passions. Most significantly, what we loved has passed away, especially the supreme love of self and with it self-righteousness, self-promotion, and self-justification. The new creature looks outwardly toward Christ instead of inwardly toward self. The old things died, nailed to the cross with our sin nature.
Along with the old passing away, “the new has come!” Old, dead things are replaced with new things, full of life and the glory of God. The newborn soul delights in the things of God and abhors the things of the world and the flesh. Our purposes, feelings, desires, and understandings are fresh and different. We see the world differently. The Bible seems to be a new book, and though we may have read it before, there is a beauty about it which we never saw before, and which we wonder at not having perceived. The whole face of nature seems to us to be changed, and we seem to be in a new world. The heavens and the earth are filled with new wonders, and all things seem now to speak forth the praise of God. There are new feelings toward all people—a new kind of love toward family and friends, a new compassion never before felt for enemies and a new love for all mankind. The things we once loved, we now detest. The sin we once held onto, we now desire to put away forever. We “put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9), and put on the “new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
What about the Christian who continues to sin? There is a difference between continuing to sin and continuing to live in sin. No one reaches sinless perfection in this life, but the redeemed Christian is being sanctified (made holy) day by day, sinning less and hating it more each time he fails. Yes, we still sin, but unwillingly and less and less frequently as we mature. Our new self hates the sin that still has a hold on us. The difference is that the new creation is no longer a slave to sin, as we formerly were. We are now freed from sin and it no longer has power over us (Romans 6:6-7). Now we are empowered by and for righteousness. We now have the choice to “let sin reign” or to count ourselves “dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11-12). Best of all, now we have the power to choose the latter.”
The new creation is a wondrous thing, formed in the mind of God and created by His power and for His glory. Those of us who accept God’s forgiveness by faith yield our lives to Jesus and are “born again” (John 3:3-8) and are completely renewed from the inside out.
Now let’s look at reconciliation.
Verses 18 and 19 – “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
Reconciliation is one part of Christ’s work of redemption (i.e., spiritual salvation, restoration, and renewal). To be reconciled to God means to be restored to a right relationship with Him. The sin and rebellion of the human race have resulted in hostility toward God and separation from Him. Thus rebellion brings God’s wrath – His justified anger and judgment. Our sin is so completely opposed to God’s perfect character that it requires the most extreme penalty: death and eternal separation from God.
Since we cannot earn or make our way to God through our imperfect efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5), God Himself chose to lovingly provide the perfect payment for our offenses against Him. He did so by sending His Son, Jesus (John 3:16) to pay our penalty and die in our place bridging the gap between God and us. Through Christ’s atoning (i.e., sin covering, forgiveness providing) death, God has removed the barrier of sin and provided a way for us to return to God (Romans 3:25, Romans 5:10 and Ephesians 2:15-16).
Reconciliation becomes effective for each of us through personal repentance (i.e., admitting and turning from sin, accepting God’s forgiveness, yielding ourselves to Jesus and surrendering to His purposes). This is a step that must be taken by our faith in Jesus (Romans 3:22).
Verse 20 – “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
An ambassador is an officially authorized representative of a country. Paul was serving Jesus as an ambassador in that he was speaking with Christ’s authority on His behalf to make every effort to restore individuals to a right relationship with God. In the same way, as Christ-followers, we are to serve as His ambassadors bringing His message of reconciliation. We are not alone in this responsibility because we have a helper – the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us for this service.
Concluding Remarks and Application
As followers of Jesus and new people, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation – the opportunity and responsibility to spread Christ’s message and to help others to be reconciled and restored to a right relationship with God.
This ministry of reconciliation is a big responsibility. God is “making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). The ministry we’ve been given to turn hearts toward God is urgent and it is vital—it’s truly a matter of life and death. Jesus paid the price for our reconciliation because God loves us (John 3:16), so we must share this message of reconciliation in love, and our lives need to reflect our message (Ephesians 4:1). Jesus is the One who saves, and the Holy Spirit is the One who convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8), yet we have been given the privilege of being ambassadors for Christ.
Every one of us who is a believer plays a part in this ministry of reconciliation. One plants; one waters, and God brings growth (1 Corinthians 3:7). As we proclaim the gospel, we act as peacemakers, and God blesses such (Matthew 5:9). We tell and live out His message of reconciliation, lives are changed, and God gets the glory.
So, in that regard, let’s be ambassadors for Jesus and represent Him to the best of our ability with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Note: Here are a few ways that we can promote reconciliation.
Evangelism – When God provides an opportunity, share the message of reconciliation.
Online – Refuse to engage in divisive discussions on social media or to share divisive posts and tweets. Choose instead to post comments about God’s goodness and faithfulness. Share the blessings you and your loved ones experience and give God the glory.
Generosity – Give a generous tip to a harried restaurant server. Explain that it is a privilege to share God’s resources with others.
Listening – Seek to understand opposing viewpoints when people speak against the values that you hold dear. Choose to listen rather than argue.
Thanksgiving – Send a handwritten note of thanks to people who impact your life – a mail carrier, doctor, or neighbor. Tell them why you consider them one of God’s blessings in your life.
Hospitality – Invite a neighbor or coworker to share a meal with you. Express your appreciation and give God the glory for bringing that person into your life.
Boasting in Christ – If someone compliments you on the way you handle a situation, glorify God by explaining that you sought His guidance in the matter.
Scripture – You may also find it helpful to list the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians5:22-23) on a 3×5 card or on your smartphone. Begin each day by reading or reciting that list and ask the Holy Spirit to help you produce fruit compatible with your role as a minister of reconciliation.
And last, but not least – we need to pluck the seeds of anger, defensiveness, or jealousy from our heart. If possible, wait a few hours, even a few days, before we respond to various situations.