1 be reconciled to god! 2 cor. 5:20 now then we are ambassadors for christ, as though god did...

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BE RECONCILED TO GOD!

2 Cor. 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

[By Ron Halbrook]

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Introduction:

1. Gospel changes relationship to God, character, & lives

SinnerEnemyAlienated

ForgivenFriendReconciled

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Introduction:


2. Paul’s role as Apostle & work of preaching focused on man’s greatest need:

3. Reconciled to God, then to each other

4. Man’s greatest need then & now!

Convince men to be reconciled to God!

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I. 2 COR. 5:11-6:2 The Text in Context: The Focus of Paul’s Role & Work

A. 5:11-13 Labor to Convince Men in View of Certain Judgment

B. 5:14-16 Compelled by Sacrificial Love of Christ to Live for Him

C. 5:17-21 Focus: Be Reconciled to God!

D. 6:1-2 Urgent to Receive & Retain the Gift

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BE RECONCILED TO GOD! Labor to Convince Men in View of Certain Judgment

2 COR. 5:11-13 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

2 COR. 5:11-13 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

False teachers judge by outward appearance: popularity, gain, etc.

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BE RECONCILED TO GOD!Compelled by Sacrificial Love of Christ to Live for Him

2 COR. 5:14-16 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

2 COR. 5:14-16 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

View gospel via Christ’s love OR our carnal mind

FOCUS: BE RECONCILED TO GOD!2 COR. 5:17-21

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 COR. 5:17-21 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

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BE RECONCILED TO GOD! Urgent to Receive & Retain the Gift

2 COR. 6:1-2

1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

2 COR. 6:1-2

1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

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I. 2 COR. 5:11-6:2 The Text in Context: The Focus of Paul’s Role & Work

A. 5:11-13 Labor to Convince Men in View of Certain Judgment

B. 5:14-16 Compelled by Sacrificial Love of Christ to Live for Him

C. 5:17-21 Focus: Be Reconciled to God!

D. 6:1-2 Urgent to Receive & Retain the Gift

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II. Pictures of Alienation & Reconciliation

A. Jacob & Esau: Costly Alienation, Costly Reconciliation

1. Gen. 27:41-43 Jacob fled to Haran

2. Gen. 31:38 Remained with Laban 20 years

3. Gen. 32:13-20 Gave Esau over 560 animals as gifts

ESAU

JACOBAshamed

Afraid

220Goats

220Sheep

30 +Camels

50Cattle

30Donkeys

Maids &children

Leah &children

Rachel &Joseph

Bowing !!!

Weeping !!!

“I will pacify him with … gifts …perhaps he will receive me.”

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II. Pictures of Alienation & Reconciliation B. God & Israel: Amazing Grace, Reconciliation

1. Jer. 3:1 God’s amazing grace toward His wayward wife (contra Deut. 24:1):

2. Jer. 3:8 “I had put her away:” costly, painful alienation—humiliated by destruction, captivity!3. Jer. 3:12-14 “for I am merciful….”

“Only acknowledge thine iniquity:” costly, painful reconciliation—humiliated by repentance!

Yet return again to me, saith the Lord.

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III. Man’s Alienation from God, God’s Offer of Reconciliation

A. Eph. 2:1, 11-17 Gentiles & Jews: Alienated from God & from Each Other in Sin

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Gentiles & Jews: Alienated from God & from Each Other in Sin

Eph. 2:1, 11-13 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespassesAnd sins;

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliensfrom the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from thecovenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph. 2:1, 11-13 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespassesAnd sins;

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliensfrom the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from thecovenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Gentiles & Jews: Alienated from God & from Each Other in Sin

Eph. 2:14-17 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so makingpeace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Eph. 2:14-17 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so makingpeace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

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B. Col. 1:19-22 Alienated from God by Wicked Works, Reconciled in Christ

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Alienated from God by Wicked Works, Reconciled in Christ

Col. 1:19-22

19 For it pleased the Father that in him

should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross,

by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say,

whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies

in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you

holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Col. 1:19-22

19 For it pleased the Father that in him

should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross,

by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say,

whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies

in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you

holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

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C. Rom. 5:8-11 Reconciled to God by the Death of His Son

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Reconciled to God by the Death of His Son

ROM. 5:8-11 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received the atonement.

ROM. 5:8-11 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received the atonement.

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D. 2 Cor. 5:17-21 God, the Author of Reconciliation

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

God, the Author of Reconciliation2 COR. 5:17-21

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 COR. 5:17-21 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

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E. Acts 2:36-38 Receive the Gift on God’s Conditions 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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IV. Learning the Spirit of Reconciliation

A. Proverbs on Alienation & Reconciliation1. Prov. 6:19; 16:28 Sowing discord: an abomination

6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

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A. Proverbs on Alienation & Reconciliation2. Prov. 10:12; 17:9 Hate promotes strife, love forgives

10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

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B. Christ on Alienation & Reconciliation1. Matt. 5:9, 23-24 Peacemakers blessed by God

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

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C. Alienation & Reconciliation in Marriage1. 1 Cor. 13:4-8 Selfishness divides, love unites

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth

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C. Alienation & Reconciliation in Marriage2. Eph. 4:31-32 Selfishness is bitter, love kind

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

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C. Alienation & Reconciliation in Marriage3. 1 Cor. 7:10-11 If unscripturally divorced, seek reconciliation

10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

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C. Alienation & Reconciliation in Marriage1. Matt. 19:9 If fornication occurs, divorce optional not commanded—seek reconciliation

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

C. Ja. 3:13-18 Satan’s Wisdom VS God’s Wisdom

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

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Invitation:


2. Paul’s role as Apostle & work of preaching focused on man’s greatest need:

3. Reconciled to God, then to each other

4. Man’s greatest need then & now!

Convince men to be reconciled to God!

Now is the day of salvation!

1 be reconciled to god! 2 cor. 5:20 now then we are ambassadors for christ, as though god did...

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