1. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11-21

2. BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER October 14, 1947 -- Mach 1 (760+ MPH)
Chuck Yeager
Bell X1

3. THE BIG IDEA
Chuck Yeager had “the right stuff” (plane, equipment, support team, etc.) to break the sound barrier.
Since Christ-followers have been called and commissioned to a ministry of reconciliation do we have “the right stuff” to get the job done?

4. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11-12
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.

5. 1. The Right PERSPECTIVE (5:11-12)
“The fear of the Lord” = our motivation
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7, csb).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” (Proverbs 9:10-11, csb).

6. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:13-15
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. 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.

7. 2. The Right PASSION (5:13-15)
“A Compelling Love” = our foundation
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38, NIV)

8. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-17
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!

9. 3. The Right POSITION (5:16-17)
“A New Creation…All Things New” = our justification
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
“You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

10. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-19
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

11. 4. The Right PURPOSE (5:18-19)
“The Ministry of Reconciliation” = our participation in the Great Commission
καταλλαγή = “the restoration of the favor of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Thayer's Expanded Greek Definition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

12. 4. The Right PURPOSE (5:18-19)
“11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!” (Romans 5:11-12, NIV)

13. 4. The Right PURPOSE (5:18-19)
15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. (Romans 5:15-16, NIV)

14. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20-21
20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

15. 5. The Right PRIORITY (5:20-21)
A Simple Plea – “Be reconciled to God” – our proclamation of the Gospel
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:17, NIV)

16. 5. The Right PRIORITY (5:20-21)
“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! 6 As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.” (2 Thess. 2:4-6, NIV)

17. 5. The Right PRIORITY (5:20-21)
Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:19-23, NLT)

18. NOW WHAT?
What steps do you need to take today to align your with life with God’s will?
Trusting Jesus Christ as your Personal Savior
Following Jesus in Believer’s Baptism
Uniting with this local body as a fully devoted Christ Follower (to serve Him and others)
Where is the Lord God (through the power of the Holy Spirit) sending YOU as His Ambassador?