Today 2 Corinthians 5:19-6:2

A Day Of Gospel Preaching All plans and schemes desired by man pale in comparison to the gospel and what it can do It is the gospel that saves (Rom. 1:16) It must be preached (1 Cor. 1:21) God depends on “earthen vessels” to preach it (2 Cor. 4:7) Calls for real reform (Lk. 13:3)

A Day Of Grace And Mercy Grace is God’s offer of salvation to man This grace was/is manifested in Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-14) Christ sits on a throne of grace (Heb. 4:16) Mercy is pardon of guilt The result of pardon is to be justified (Rom. 4:5) Arndt & Gingrich says justified “be acquitted, be pronounced and treated as righteous” (p. 196) To be pardoned is to be declared not guilty and that is mercy 4

A Day Of Action We only have the opportunity for action in the present. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going” (Eccl. 9:10) Seize the moment to act (Acts 22:16) 5

A Day Of Salvation “…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself…” (2 Cor. 5:19) The first part of 2 Corinthians 6:2 is a quote from Isaiah 49:8 Isaiah 49:8 concerns “My Servant” which refers to the Messiah, or Jesus Christ (Isa. 49:6) He will “restore the preserved ones of Israel” and be a “light of the nations (Gentiles)” This is fulfilled. Paul uses the emphatic “Behold” to draw attention to the timing Jesus died for sins (1 Cor. 15:3; Eph. 1:7) Believe in Him and be saved(Mk. 16:16) 6

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