How Does the Gospel Work in Our Lives?: June 17, 2018

Sermon Notes

TITLE:  How Does the Gospel Work in our Lives?

TEXT: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

INTRO:

I. CONFIDENCE: We Can Have Confidence in the Difficult and Unclear Moments of Life

TEXT  6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

II. PERSUASIVE ABILITY: The Fear of God Motivates Our Outreach   

TEXT 11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

III. THE POWER OF NEW CREATION: Christ’s Transformational Love Compels Us to Serve Others

TEXT:   14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
CONCL:

5 MOST POPULAR VERSES FROM 2 CORINTHIANS FOR REFLECTION

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

QUOTES OF NOTE FROM IMPORTANT THINKERS IN THE CHURCH!

Jesus of Nazareth ushers in not simply a new religious possibility, not simply a new ethic or a new way of salvation, but a new creation. – N. T. Wright (Popular author, theologian and retired Anglican Bishop)

It is only as a unity in diversity that the Christian community will become an inviting community in a society which is otherwise pretty uniform. Creation is motley and diverse, and the new creation even more so. – Jürgen Moltmann (German Reformed Theologian and author)

I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians in England. – John Wesley (Pioneer Anglican pastor of the Methodist-Wesleyan movement)

God is wholly present in all creation, in every corner, behind you and before you. Do you think God is sleeping on a pillow in heaven? God is watching over you and protecting you. – Martin Luther (Protestant Reformer, professor and pioneer)

People are messy; therefore, relationships will be messy. Don’t be surprised by messiness. – Timothy Keller (popular New York City pastor and author)

When asked what he would do if the world would end tomorrow, He said, “I would plant a tree today.”  – Martin Luther