Intro: Paul is writing this letter to the Corinthians due to the apparent influence of worldly values on the congregation. The worldly values that are seeping in due to teaching of rival missionaries are affecting their judgment 5.12, and behavior 12.20-21.
Paul tells the corinthians their way of looking at the world is outdated, old-fashioned, worn out. He tells them there is a new and a better way. Paul uses the Greek word kainos. It carries the idea of better quality than what was before.
Our life if it is “in Chirst” can and should be of better quality than it was before we met Christ.
Why? If we are “in Christ” we have a New Outlook, a New Outpost, and a New Outcry.
NRSV 2 Cor 5.16 “From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view.” (Nasb recognize) (according to the flesh)
I. A new outlook
Remember last week? What type of outlook do you have, Rosy or rotten?
A) Deformed nature
Sin is like a disease that deforms us and makes us unacceptable to God.
Man was originally created in the image of God. (Genesis 1.26, Gen 5.1-2, Gen 9.6)
Through sin that image became deformed and distorted.
The children of Adam did not reflect the Glory of God they showed the sin of man.
Genesis 5.3 “When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.”
What image was Seth made in?
Seth was the image of his fallen sinful earthly father not his Heavenly Father.
Romans 8.7 “because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself so the law of God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.
1) Sin made man unacceptable to god
Habakkuk 1.13 “Your eyes are too pure to behold evil, and you cannot look on wrongdoing.”
Isaiah 59.2 “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”
a) It made us Hostile toward God
b) It made us His bitter enemies
2) Sin made God inaccessible to man
a) By our nature we were children of wrath (Ephesians 2.3)
b) By our nature we were strangers (Ephesians 2.12)
c) By our nature we were separate (Ephesians 2.12)
d) By our nature we were hopeless (Ephesians 2.12)
2 Cor 5.15 “and He died for all,”
Have you ever heard anyone say I had an experience and it changed my whole outlook on life?
Paul had that experience with Christ on the road to Damascus. It led to a changed outlook and attitudes.
B) Transformed nature
When we receive the new nature “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creature,” we receive a new outlook. We receive a whole a new view of the world through God’s “eyes.”
· This happens when we are reconciled to God.
· Reconciliation is a process that God uses to make man (all of us) acceptable to Him. It also makes God accessible to us.
· Why do we need to be reconciled?
o All men need to be reconciled due to their sin or deformed nature.
o That nature alienated us from God due to God’s holiness and human sinfulness.
o Because of Gods Holiness He must judge sin. (Heb 10.27) Even though He loves the sinner (Romans 5.8) God hates sin.
Reconciliation
1) Initiated by God
It is a complete work of God there is nothing we can contribute to take away our old deformed nature.
God’s plan depends solely on what Jesus did on the cross.
1) In Christ – As Noah in the ark = security
2) In Christ – As Stones in a building = stability
3) In Christ – As a branch in a vine = vitality
The new outlook helps us realize that we have a new outpost.
2 Corinthians 5.20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,”
II. A new outpost
God so cared for us that he not only reconciled us as individuals and the church to himself. But he stepped out even further. He uses us as a means to reconcile others.
A) God entrusted ministry 2 Cor 5.18
Why trust this to former enemies that were hostile to him.
1) Because God chose to work through us
2) Because Romans 8.28 says we are to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. We are thus displays of God’s reconciliation. Who could tell about being made right with God better than those made right!!
B) God endowed ministry 2 Cor 5.19 “he has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
1) We were reconciled to be used to reconcile others
2) We were empowered by the Holy spirit to share the “word of r reconciliation,” The Gospel
C) God partnering ministry 2 Cor 5.20
1) As God’s ambassadors we speak on His behalf
2) As God’s ambassadors we speak on His authority
“as though God were making His appeal through us;”
3) As God’s ambassadors we speak on His message
“We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
(God has committed to us the ministry(service) and message (sermon) of reconciliation
A big part of the new outpost is the
III. A new out cry
A) Exchange program
Our sin for His righteousness
2 Cor 5.19 “Namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them,”
1) The word used here is an accounting term. It means to take into account, to count against.
Since Christ became sin taking our sin into His body and nailing it to the cross. God will not count it as our sin!
Our debt due to our sin and deformed nature is considered “Paid in Full”
Our plea is be reconciled to Christ so that you sin will not count against you!
2) Not only is our sin not counted against us but we take part in God’s exchange program. (Illustration Game exchange, white elephant)
2 Cor 5.21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
B) Extended to everyone
1) A word on hope
2) A word on help
Roman 5.8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
a) While we were yet helpless
b) When we get a new outlook and accept our outpost, we can see that there are many that are in need of help
3) A word on harvest
Conclusion: Are you today reconciled to God? Have you had an experience that changed your outlook on life and living?
The greatest way for a church to deal with worldly values seeping in is to remember that were reconciled to a new life.
God no longer counts our sin against us so we have a new outlook, a new outpost, a new outcry.
The old things should have passed away.
1) Be careful how you represent God to others
2) Be part of others representing God to other countries (Lottie Moon)
3) Begin every day remembering your new outlook
