2 Corinthians 5:14-21
The love of Christ is meant to control how we live our lives
1. Because of the love of Christ, We have a message
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”
a. The message we have is the gospel.
b. We have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation
“entrusting to us the message of reconciliation”
2. Because of the love of Christ, We have a mandate
a. We’re called to the ministry of reconciliation
Not political causes – but Christ
Not social causes – but Christ
“When our eyes fall from God to humanity, social ills replace sin, horizontal problems replace the fundamental vertical problems between us and God, winning elections eclipses winning souls.”
– Mark Dever
b. We’re called to be ambassadors for Christ
c. We’re called to make an appeal – the mandate we have is to evangelize.
3. Because of the love of Christ, We have a motive
a. We are to live our lives controlled by the love of Christ.
b. Our motive is Christ’s love for us
a. Love for God and love for our neighbor
b. This motive is why we evangelize
c. This motive affects how we evangelize
Application Questions
1. How does remembering that the gospel is God’s message to save humanity (not our message) affect the way we view and practice evangelism?
2. How does a right view of our true country affect what we live for here in this country?
3. We have the joy and privilege of being ambassadors for Christ and our true home in heaven. How should remembering our privileged post as ambassadors for Christ be seen in our lives?
4. How does remembering that we are ministers of reconciliation affect the way we approach evangelism?
5. What encouragement or conviction did God reveal you need to change in how you live as an ambassador and minister of reconciliation for Him?
6. How does Christ’s love motivate you for evangelism?
7 What are some specific things you can do in your life to pursue evangelism starting right now?
