Faith Baptist Church
05/03/26 Worship Service

      • Psalms 145:1-3ESV

  • Almighty, Unchangeable God
  • Worthy Of Worship
  • How Great Thou Art
  • Bow The Knee
  • The Doxology
  • Before we left for Israel we had to leave a letter authorizing the grandparents to make medical decisions for our kids should the need arise.
    They were authorized by us to act on our behalf. We would be on the other side of the world, should the need arise we needed someone who could be our representatives and administer care for our children in our stead.
    Now if an emergency would have occured and the grandparents had to make important medical decisions for our children what kind of choices would we want them to make? We would want them to act exactly like we would if we were there instead of them. We would want them to represent us well.
    As believers we have a similar job and responsibility. We are authorized representatives for King Jesus! We are to act on His behalf and to represent Him to the world as if He were here in our stead.
    What does that look like? How do we carry out such an important task? Are we succeeding? How can we tell?
    Last time: What motivates your service to God? Last sermon-
    “Are you out of your mind?”
    Situation: There were false teachings creeping into the church in Corinth. They were claiming to be Apostles. They were claiming that their teaching was superior to that of Paul’s. And they were discrediting Paul’s message and his ministry. And the Corinthians were putting up with it! They were considering the message of false apostles.
    2 Corinthians is Paul’s defence for his own apostolic ministry and for the genuineness of the gospel message.
    Paul’s motivation was love!
    2 Corinthians 5:14 ESV
    14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
    What did the love of Christ cause Paul and his ministry team to do?
    2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV
    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.
    Today’s sermon: What does it look like for someone to live, not for themselves, but for Christ, the one who died and was raise for our sake? What does it look like to live for Christ and not for ourselves?

    We Have Completely Different Perspectives (16-17)

    2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV
    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.
    2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV
    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.
    Because of the love of Christ, because Christ died for all- we no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ who died for us and was raised.
    From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.
    That is we no longer look at people from a wordly perspective or from an outward human point of view.
    What does it mean to see people and value them or devalue them according to a wordly perspective? How does the world assign value to people? How does the world assign people significance or importance?
    Good looks, wealth, power, personality, how many people they have influenced, how many people look up to them and honor them.
    What is the common characteristic of all of these standards of judgement? They are all external.
    1 Samuel 16:7 ESV
    7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
    Why is Paul brining up this idea of a completely different perspective?
    Because the Corinthians were being duped by false apostles. There were false apostles who were trying to get the Corinthians to reject Paul himself and his message. How were they doing that? They were arguing based on external perspectives.
    2 Corinthians 11:16–23 ESV
    16 I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.
    2 Corinthians 11:30 ESV
    30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
    There is a completely different perspective going on here!
    2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV
    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.
    Paul used to view Christ from a wordly human perspective.
    What does that mean?
    What kind of Messiah were Paul and the rest of the Jewish leaders looking for?
    And what did that cause Paul to do? He rejected Christ as Messiah, as Lord. And he persecuted the church!
    Paul used to view Christ as “out of his mind.” But no longer. He views Christ not outwardly, but inwardly.
    What made the difference? Why does Paul now have a radically transformed perspective of Jesus and by extension other people?
    2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
    17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
    New Creation = old has passed away (aorist tense) past condition. If anyone is in Christ (genuinely saved) something radical happens to them. They enter into an entirely new position.
    Old Man vs New Man
    Old Man = old has passed away, the old set of conditions and relationships has come to an end or passed out of existence.
    Behold, the new had come! New Man = another brand new set of conditions and relationships has already begun and they have come to stay- there is an ongoing continuing transformation that happens in the life of a Christian.
    When a person becomes a Christian there is a total restructuring of life that happens. Our thinking, feeling, willing, and acting begin to be continuously transformed. The Christian is under new management and has altered priorities ahead of them.
    This dramatic transformation affects everything about us!
    2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV
    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.
    There is a change in attitude toward Christ! We no longer know Christ from a worldly perspective.
    2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV
    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.
    There is a change in attitude toward other people. We don’t evaluate people from a worldly point of view. We see things the way God sees them. We value when people make themselves weak (in the eyes of the world) so that others can know Christ!
    2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV
    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.
    There is a change of conduct from self-pleasing...
    2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV
    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.
    to Christ-pleasing!
    New creations in Christ have a completely different perspective on everything in life!
    Graduates- let me challenge you to adopt this radically different perspective as you take next steps in life.
    How do you view yourself and others?
    Illustration:
    Role models!
    Victor Wembanyama vs. River & 600 gospel tracts
    Which one do you want as a role model for your kids? Why?
    2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV
    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.
    Application?
    Does this have application in your life graduates? And for all of us believers?
    Will this perspective change how we define success?
    If our definition of success changes what else will that change?
    Should that have any bearing on your career? The major you study for? Your goals in life?
    What does it look like to live for Christ and not for ourselves?
    We have a completely different perspective

    2. We Value Completely Different Priorities (18-19)

    2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV
    18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
    All this is from God- the way we see people, being a new creation, the old man that has passed away, the new man that has come- all is from God. If we have this new perspective we cannot boast about ourselves as being better than anyone else, because it all from God!
    And God is also the who who through Christ reconciled us to Himself.
    Reconcile- the exchange of hostility for a friendly relationship.
    The natural state of humanity. Humans are by nature at enmity with God)
    Natural State
    Reconciliation is the part of salvation that exchanges hostility for a friendly relationship with God.
    God the Father is both the initiator and goal of reconciliation.
    Christ was God’s agent in achieving reconciliation.
    Humans and the whole created universe are the objects and beneficiaries of reconciliation.
    Reconciliation is an accomplished fact on God’s side, yet it must be embraced on the human side.
    2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV
    18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
    Not only has God reconciled us to himself- but, Paul also states that God has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
    God gave to Paul and to the other apostles and to the disciples who were partnering with the apostles in the spread of the gospel and the foundation of the church- God gave to them the ministry of reconciliation. However, I think by extension, every believer is given the ministry of reconciliation.
    What is this ministry?
    2 Corinthians 5:19 ESV
    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.
    Reconcile- the exchange of hostility for a friendly relationship.

    God the Father is both the initiator and goal of reconciliation

    “God was reconciling (initiator) the world to Himself (goal).”

    Christ was God’s agent in achieving reconciliation

    “In Christ” / “Not counting their trespasses against them”

    Humans and the whole created universe are the objects and beneficiaries of reconciliation

    “God was reconciling the world (object) to Himself.”

    Reconciliation is an accomplished fact on God’s side, yet it must be embraced on the human side

    2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV
    18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
    2 Corinthians 5:19 ESV
    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.
    Reconciliation must be embraced on the human side, therefore God has given us the ministry of reconciliation and entrusted us with the message of reconciliation!
    Should that make a difference in our lives?
    What does it look like to live for Christ and not for ourselves?
    We value a completely different priority!
    Illustration: What do you want to do when you grow up?
    Teacher, electrician, carpenter, banker, baker, pastor, missionary, etc...
    When a person becomes a Christian there is a total restructuring of life that happens. Our thinking, feeling, willing, and acting begin to be continuously transformed.
    We live life with a whole different priority.
    What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be totally engaged in the ministry of reconciliation!
    What do I want to do? I want to do the ministry of reconciliation!
    So I am not a teacher who happens to make disciples of Jesus.
    I am a disciple-maker who just happens to be a teacher.
    I am not a baker who just happens to make disciples of Jesus. I am a disciple-maker who just happens to be a baker.
    I am a disciple-maker who just happens to be a pastor.
    What was Paul- he was a disciple-maker who just happened to be an apostle.
    People ask me all the time, “Pastor, what ministry can I get involved in?” Here is my answer- the best ministry that any Christian should be involved (wrong wording?)
    The ministry that should be your life, is making disciples!
    We are not our own. We no longer live for ourselves, but for the one who died and was raised for us. That means we go through life with a different set of values! We value a completely different priority!
    Sometimes we can be worldly in our thinking on this!
    Example: Should I take a promotion and move my family to a new area of the country?
    What is one of the last things most American’s consider when making this decision? What about my church? Will moving away from my current church impact my church families ability to make disciples?
    What about my future church? Is there a gospel preaching, disciple-making church in the area I am thinking about moving to?
    How shocked would you be if I counseled you to take a lower paying job so that you could actually be part of a church where the ministry of reconciliation is taking place?
    Graduates how much does the ministry of reconciliation affect your priorities?
    What does it look like to live for Christ and not for ourselves?
    We have completely different perspectives
    We value completely different priorities

    3. We Claim Completely Different Identities (20-21)

    2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
    20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
    What was a primary identity for the Apostle Paul? He was an ambassador for Christ!
    What is an ambassador?
    to act as ambassador v. — to act as an authorized representative of one sovereign ruler or country to another.
    “WE are ambassadors”
    We are chosen representatives by our sovereign ruler from one country to another country.
    If we are ambassadors then when we gather together in the church what do we form? An embassy. What a picture of the local church!
    The church is like a real-life embassy. What country do we represent? Or should I say what kingdom do we represent?
    We represent Christ’s future kingdom!
    Our citizenship is where? In heaven! And from heaven we await our King! Who will come an establish his rule and reign and kingdom here on this earth. Until that time the Bible tells us that we are exiles, pilgrims, sojourners. We a citizens living outside our rightful homeland. Yet we are ambassadors and we form little embassies all over the earth.
    That is our identity. We represent our King! When we assemble as a church body we show the world a little taste of what that future kingdom will be like!
    And we have a very important job! We tell other people how they can be part of the coming kingdom.
    2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
    20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
    By the way is that how we think about the church?
    Worldly viewpoint: A church is like a club or a spa.
    It’s fine to attend a church indefinitely without joining.
    I don’t need to be baptized to identify with Christ and join a visible local church.
    I don’t need to join a church to take the Lord’s Supper.
    It’s no big deal if I make it a regular habit or pattern of being absent from church’s gatherings a few Sundays a month or more.
    Making major life decisions without considering the effects of those decisions on the church, or without consulting the pastor or other members first.
    What if we thought about the church as an embassy and participating in that embassy as citizens of heaven and ambassadors for Christ? How would that identity change our view of our church?
    If we are an embassy filled with ambassadors then what is the main mission we all have?
    We are authorized representatives of our king sent from His kingdom to another kingdom. What for? So that God can make His appeal through us!
    What is God’s appeal to the world? To our town? To our neighbors? To our friends and family?
    2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
    20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
    Friends, is this your identity? Do you see yourself this way?
    When is the last time you implored anyone on your King’s behalf? When is the last time you spoke on behalf of your king, “Be reconciled to God?”
    Your answer points to your identity.
    What is the message more specifically we should be heralding?
    2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
    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.
    This is the message of reconciliation! This is what we must proclaim if people are to be reconciled to God. God the Father made God the Son to be sin who knew no sin.
    What does that mean? God made Jesus to be sin?
    It does not mean that Jesus sinned himself- Paul is very clear. God made Jesus to be sin, yet Jesus himself knew no sin- that is Jesus did not commit any sins of his own. Rather when God made Jesus to be sin- God took our sins and placed them upon the innocent shoulders of his Son.
    1 Peter 2:24 ESV
    24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
    When God made the Son to be sin it is the idea that Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree. What does it mean that Jesus bore our sins?
    Colossians 2:13–14 ESV
    13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
    Every time we sin we create a record of debt. We sin and we get a transaction- a receipt of debt because of that sin.
    How do we pay for that debt? We must bear the just wrath of a righteous God in order to pay our debt.
    What is the just wrath of a righteous God for our sin debt? Eternal separation in the lake of fire.
    Yet there is a way for our sin debt to be forgiven! How?
    God can forgive us all our trespasses by canceling the record of our debt that stood against us with its legal demands!
    How?
    He set aside our debt by nailing it to the cross!
    He Himself bore our sins on the tree! God took every sin debt that we own and he nailed them to the arms and feet of Jesus. And Jesus’s blood poured out and soaked every receipt of debt I owed to God- so that my sins debt was paid in full!
    2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
    21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin,
    Why?
    2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
    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.
    Romans 4:4–8 ESV
    4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
    This is our message! This is our identity!
    2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
    20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
    Christian, have you claimed this as your identity?
    Does it show in your life?
    How do I know?
    What priority do you give to your local church?
    How much of your life do you devote to making disciples?
    How often do you proclaim the message of reconciliation?
    How well do you function as an ambassador of your King?
    What does it look like to live for Christ and not for ourselves?
    We have completely different perspectives
    We value completely different priorities
    We claim completely different identities
    Do your perspectives, priorities, and identities prove that you no longer live for yourself, but for the one who died and was raised for you?

      • 2 Corinthians 5:14ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:15ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:15ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:16ESV

      • 1 Samuel 16:7ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 11:16–23ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 11:30ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:16ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:17ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:16ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:16ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:15ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:15ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:16ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:18ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:18ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:19ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:18ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:19ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:20ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:20ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:20ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:21ESV

      • 1 Peter 2:24ESV

      • Colossians 2:13–14ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:21ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:21ESV

      • Romans 4:4–8ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:20ESV

  • For the Sake of His Name
Faith Baptist Church
faith@fbcocon.org
262-567-0040
http://www.fbcocon.org
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