Sermons

Living to Please Him - Initiative (2 Corinthians 5:5-21)

Gearl Spicer Gearl Spicer, September 20, 2020
Part of the Axis of A Living Faith series, preached at a Sunday Online service

2 Corinthians 5:5–21 (Listen)

He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself 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 entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

(ESV)

Sermon Notes

AXIS OF A LIVING FAITH
Living to Please Him - Initiative
II Corinthians 5:5-21
9/20/20

How would you define your ambition?
What motivates you to move forward for God?

Initiative - Internal motivating presence of the Holy Spirit that directs us to accomplish His eternal purpose

*Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a pledge. vs. 5
*Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men - vs. 6
*For the love of Christ controls us - vs. 14
*Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ - .vs. 20

Foundational concepts of God given initiative:
1. LIVING FOR AN ETERNAL PURPOSE
2. CHARTING A COURAGEOUS COURSE
3. ANTICIPATE ACCOUNTABILITY

Core concepts to apply:

I. Fear of the Lord - Persuade - vs. 11-13
A. Visibility of our lives
B. Humility of our hearts

II. Love of Christ - Control - vs. 14-16
A. Understanding the depth of His love
B. Grasping our true identity
C. Miraculous impact of salvation

III. Transforming power of Jesus - Ambassadors - vs. 17-21
A. Jesus changes everything
B. Jesus presents an opportunity to us
C. Jesus chose us to represent Him

Initiative anchored in the fear of the Lord, love of Christ and the transforming power of Jesus can change to world.

Will you align your faith with Jesus?

Other Sermons