2Corinthians 5

2Corinthians 5 4/29/20

1. Knowing the Terror of the Lord we persuade men

2. We have a hope of the resurrected body

3. We are called to reconciliation

4. We have Christ as the sacrifice as an example of reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:1 (KJV) For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

1. John 14:2-4 (KJV) 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

2. No matter what happens here on earth we are promised a home in heaven

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (KJV) 6 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

1. Paul often mentions the future benefit of a home in heaven

2. Does everything he can to prepare

2 Corinthians 5:10-11 (KJV) 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

1. Not everything in heaven is pleasant

2. The judgment seat of Christ is a powerful reminder to do what we are called to do

3. The terror of the Lord

   1. Can be used to describe what the lost will face in Hell, but in context

   2. What Christians will face at the judgement seat

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1. What a blessing to know that we don’t have to be controlled by the flesh

2. Still am controlled by that all too often but I have the power of the resurrection to overcome me

2 Corinthians 5:18 (KJV) And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

1. How are you at this ministry, whether reconciling others to God , but showing them Gods character or

2. Reconciling others to others

3. The last verse of the Old Testament deals with this as well

4. Malachi 4:6 (KJV) And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

   1. Yes this ends with a curse but why

   2. Because the hearts of the fathers and children were not turned to one another

   3. They were not reconciled

5. Our job is not to exalt us and let the world know how wonderful we are but to reconcile others to Christ

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

1. How often do we look at ourselves as ambassadors, as ambassadors we are carrying the message of another not our own

2. We are to be carrying the message of reconciliation

3. Why the terror of the Lord is coming for those who are not reconciled

4. As Christians are we reconciled to God, have we dealt with the things in our life that God has made plain

5. Are we reconciled to others

   1. John 13:35 (KJV)By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

   2. How can we possibly reconcile the lost to God when we won’t reconcile ourselves with our Family and other Christians

   3. Matthew 5:23-24 (KJV) 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

   4. Too often we ignore the mandate of reconciliation

   5. Note in Matthew it did not say don’t give an offering, it said Reconcile then give

   6. Giving tithes and offerings are mandated throughout scripture

      1. Before the law Genesis 28:22 (KJV) And this stone, which I have set [for] a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

      2. In the law

         1. Leviticus 27:32 (KJV) And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, [even] of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

      3. After the law

         1. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV)Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

   7. How are you at the ministry of reconciliation

2Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1. We should never forget the sacrifices Jesus Christ made for us to be righteous

2. The pure son of God became your wickedness

3. The least I can do is be a minister of reconciliation