Sermon Central
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"Outreach: Seeing Others Through The Lens Of Jesus.” Series
Contributed by George Mclaughlin Jr. on Oct 25, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: The biblical teaching of union with Christ makes a huge impact, not only on how we see the ministry of evangelism, but also how we should regard both our fellow believer and those who have not yet been born into the family of God.
Outline for CBF October 25, 2009
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Title: "Outreach: Seeing others through the Lens of Jesus."
Intro. Review
1st week we dealt with "going"
2nd week we dealt with "to whom" do we go and "who can go."
This week I want to deal with an important part of outreach: how we see others.
Remember last week when we talked about "unlikely candidates for faith?"
TS. Turn with me to 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
I. Christ’s work should forever change how we think & function, 14-15.
A. Those who are "in Christ" really have been joined to Him! 14
B. Union with Christ has logical consequences! 15
1. We are not really free to just do and think as we please!
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" 1Co 6:19
2.If we want to see anything good come from our lives, we need to work in cooperation with Jesus Christ, who lives in us:
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
TS. Union with Christ is intricately woven into the gospel.
3. Do you understand this teaching? (encouragement to study, pray & meditate on it)
II. Christ’s work changes how we regard others, 16-17.
A. "According to the flesh means" = according to outward appearance.
B. "No one" means "everyone!" 16a (We’ll get back to this!)
C. This manner of regarding others is by faith, 16b. (Scripture)
1. What we "see" we may not actually see.
2. What we "see" will be by the same manner we now "know" Jesus.
3. Application:
a. How then, ought we to consider our brethren, in their faults? v. 17 & 1 Corinthians 15:48-52
1)A person in Christ is heavenly! 1Cor 15:48
2) A person in Christ shall be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ!, 1Cor 15:49, 51-53
3) All of the above is true, even for a "cranky" child of God!
TS. So...
4) Application: We love them anyways!
We bear with them.
We exhort and work with them.
We do not lose hope!
b. How then, ought we to consider those who have yet to believe in Christ?
(Move quickly through this point, to c. )
c.How then, ought we to consider baby Christians?
1)Babies make messes!
2)Healthy adults love babies!
3)Babies grow up. So nurture them and be patient.
Next week we’ll deal with the place of prayer in outreach, & then to discipleship.
