3. Over the centuries, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth have been questioned and put to the test but to no avail.

4. Mankind is being deceived into believing that there is no historical Jesus, that He is just a myth, that he did not die to save us and that he never rose from the dead. But these are all desperate lies to cover up the truth that Jesus indeed died and rose from the dead.

5. This is the good news: God is reconciling the world to himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And to those he reconciled to himself, he gave the ministry of reconciliation (vv. 18- 19). Paul expounds the elements of this glorious Christian ministry.

6. The Driving Motive (vv. 11-15)

7. The driving motive answers the question, “Why should we carry out the ministry of reconciliation?”

8. 1. The Driving Motive (vv. 11-15) The fear of the Lord gives us a healthy sense of accountability to God. The fear of the Lord gives us a healthy sense of accountability to God. The love of the Lord compels us to be completely devoted to God. The love of the Lord compels us to be completely devoted to God.

9. The Definite Movement (vv. 16-17)

10. The definite movement answers the question, “How are we to carry out the ministry of reconciliation?”

11. 2. The Definite Movement (vv. 16-17) The old perspective has gone. The new attitude has come. The old perspective has gone. The new attitude has come. The old person has gone. The new creation has come. The old person has gone. The new creation has come.

12. The Divine Mission (vv. 18-21)

13. The divine mission answers the question, “What is this ministry of reconciliation?”

14. 3. The Divine Mission (vv. 18-21) The mission of God is to remove the barrier (sin) and bring everyone to a savable relationship with him. The mission of God is to remove the barrier (sin) and bring everyone to a savable relationship with him. The mission from God is to present the message of reconciliation and proclaim Jesus is Savior and Lord. The mission from God is to present the message of reconciliation and proclaim Jesus is Savior and Lord.

15. Jesus died the death that should have been ours. In view of his great love for us, there should be no selfishness in the hearts of all who believe in him and live for him.