Series Big Idea: "Equipping our congregation to embrace and fulfill the Great Commission"

Sermon Big Idea: "Believer’s are new creations, called to spread God’s message of reconciliation through Christ"

Key Scripture (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

As we continue our series that I'm calling Mission Ready, I want us to focus today on the importance of sharing the gospel with courage and love, as outlined in (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). In this passage, the apostle Paul reminds us that as new creations in Christ, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. But what does that mean for us today, in our modern world?

(2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ 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 He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”



When Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians, the culture was much different than ours today. The gospel message was new and often met with hostility and persecution. Despite the risks, Paul and his fellow believers were courageous in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. They faced countless trials and tribulations, but their love for Christ and others compelled them to continue sharing the gospel.

Paul reminds us in our passage, that through Christ, we have been reconciled to God and given the ministry of reconciliation. This means that as followers of Jesus, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in a world that desperately needs His love and grace. Just as Paul and the early believers embraced their role as messengers of reconciliation in a challenging and hostile environment, we are also entrusted with the task of sharing the life-changing message of the gospel with boldness and love. On this Father's Day, let us remember that our Heavenly Father has called us to be instruments of His love and grace, leading others to a restored relationship with Him through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ. May we represent the courage and compassion of our Heavenly Father as we fulfill our mission of sharing the gospel with a hurting world.

Conclusion

As we go out from this place today, let us be encouraged to share the gospel with courage and love, knowing that God goes before us and empowers us to do His work. Let us be bold in our faith, reaching out to those in need of the hope that only Jesus can bring. May we be Mission Ready, prepared to share the Good News of Christ with all whom we encounter.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Baker, William, et al. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians. Tyndale House Publishers, 2009.

Hubbard, Moyer V. 2 Corinthians. Edited by Mark L. Strauss, Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017.

Hafemann, Scott J. 2 Corinthians. Zondervan Publishing House, 2000.

Garland, David E. 2 Corinthians. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999.

Kruse, Colin G. 2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary. Edited by Eckhard J. Schnabel, Second edition, vol. 8, Inter-Varsity Press, 2015.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Victor Books, 1985.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed., Victor Books, 1991.

Jamieson, Robert, et al. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, editors. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Dockery, David S., editor. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Pratt, Richard L., Jr. I & II Corinthians. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Press, 2014.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Barnett, Paul. The Message of 2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness. InterVarsity Press, 1988.

Radmacher, Earl D., et al. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Bray, Gerald Lewis, editor. 1–2 Corinthians. InterVarsity Press, 1999.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

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