2 Corinthians 5 This Confidence

2 Corinthians 5

This Confidence

1.            Confident in faith 6 – 10

 So we are always confident, because we know that while we are living in the body, we are away from our home with the Lord. ⁷ We live by faith and not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, and we would prefer to leave the body and to be at home with the Lord. ⁹ So our goal is to be acceptable to him, whether we are at home or away from home. ¹⁰ We all must appear before Christ in court so that each person can be paid back for the things that were done while in the body, whether they were good or bad. [CEB]

                a.            Faith not sight.

                                1.)           True vs apparently true.

                                2.)           PROBLEM is “interpretation” of what we see/experience.

                                                a.)           Based on personal feelings, likes, etc…

                                                b.)          Effected by the “Fall” (sin, sinful nature)

                                                c.)           We are “bent” people…. Cooked sticks.

                b.            What world do we really belong too?

                                1.)           The Christian lives in this world but does not belong to it.

                                2.)           So… we should NOT be owned by the things off the world.

                                3.)           We live as citizens of another country.

*** This confidence causes us to live in a way that is controlled by Christ’s love. ***

2.            Controlled by love 13 – 15

 If we are crazy, it’s for God’s sake. If we are rational, it’s for your sake. ¹⁴ The love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: one died for the sake of all; therefore, all died. ¹⁵ He died for the sake of all so that those who are alive should live not for themselves but for the one who died for them and was raised.

                a.            Christ’s love toward us, on the cross.

                                1.)           Greater love

John 15:34, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

                                2.)           God’s love

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

                                3.)           God’s love expressed through us

1 John 3:16 – 18, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. ¹⁷ But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

                b.            This conclusion means that we live for Jesus, not ourselves or the world.

2 Corinthians 5:15, “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.”

*** This confidence comes from the fact that we are a new creation.  Not belonging to this world. ***

   

3.            Created new in Christ 17, 21

¹⁷ So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!

²¹ God caused the one who didn’t know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God.

                a.            Salvation is an act of creation.

                                1.)           [v 15] “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

                                                a.)           “Passed away” is an image of something that is left behind,                                                                     neglected.

1 Corinthians 11:13, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”

                                                b.)          The idea is this happens naturally, almost without notice.

                                2.)           The idea of “new” is something we have NOW!

                                                a.)           It is an expression of what and how we were created to be.

                                                b.)          It is an expression of eternity.

                b.            This happens because of an exchange:

[v 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.”

                                1.)           God made Jesus “to be sin” BECAUSE we are not righteous.

                                                a.)           Nothing righteous about us.

                                                b.)          We do NOT even know what righteousness is in reality.

                                2.)           God gives us the POSSIBILITY (“might”) of becoming “the                                                                  righteousness of God”

                                                a.)           This exchange must be transacted… like a check.

                                                b.)          Do we actually take accept this transaction or leave it                                                                             dormant?

                                3.)           Here’s the deal:

                                                a.            It is “imputed” to us. (“to attribute or ascribe” dictionary.com)

                                                b.            But it must be “implanted” in us. (“to put or fix firmly”                                                                          dictionary)

                                                c.            Just because something has been given to us, does NOT                                                                          necessarily mean it makes a difference or is used.

  

*** This confidence gives us direction of our lives. ***

4.            Commissioned to call 18 – 20

 All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. ¹⁹ In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.

²⁰ So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!”

                a.            BECAUSE we were reconciled we are given the ministry of reconciliation.

                                1.)           You can’t talk about what you do not know.

                                2.)           You can’t talk about someone you do not know.

                                3.)           We who know God and know this reconciliation CAN talk.

                b.            This commission is a royal appointment to represent Christ. (lit. “sent with authority)

                                1.)           “Negotiate” (KJV “beseech”) – discussion for the purposes of achieving                                                 a settlement.

(ill.) “Did the judge ever beseech a condemned criminal to accept of pardon? Does the creditor ever beseech a ruined debtor to receive an acquittance in full?” [Wesley]

                                                a.)           What God is doing through us is giving the reason(s) and                                                                         terms for the settlement (reconciliation).

                                                b.)          Why would God trust us? Trust you?

                                2.)           “Beg” (KJV “pray”)

                                                a.)           Literally “beg”… gives the feeling of desperation.

                                                b.)          Why would we beg others to be reconciled to God?

Conclusion:

                1.            If we are confident in our faith, do we live like it? (Or does or lives betray a lack                                  of faith?)

                2.            If we are controlled by the love of Christ, does it compel us to behave differently

                               toward others?

                3.            If we are part of a new creation, have we left the old behind?

                4.            If we are sent with authority, to speak and act on God’s behalf, what difference are

                               we making in the world?

Hebrews 9 Who’s life?

Hebrews 9 Who’s life?

1.         [1 – 7] The first covenant was earthly… a copy of the heavenly/eternal.

            a.         The copies were impressive. [vv 3 – 4] BUT there was no direct access to God. [v 8]

            b.         RESULT: The old covenant had no direct access to God. [v 9]

            c.         Why?  BECAUSE the eternal is powerless [v 10]

2.         The internal (symbolized by the “Most Holy Place”).

            a.         The heavenly reality is seen in the copy [v 12]

            b.         The presence of God was denied in the old covenant by the curtain (veil) [vv 7, 15]

***** Never a sacrifice for willful sin. *****

           

3.         Christ is there now… [v 24]

            a.         What does that mean? [v 15]

                        1.)        Jesus died for us.

                        2.)        Jesus paid the ransom.

                        3.)        Jesus set us free.

            b.         RESULT [v 14]

                        1.)        Conscience cleared…

                        2.)        We are now free to serve the living God…

4.         The legal proof… a “will” [vv 16 – 17]

            a.         The death of the owner must be proved.

                        1.)        The first covenant is established by a living person.

                        2.)        The death of that person releases the will.

                        3.)        When Jesus died He ended the first covenant.

            b.         [v 18] Death was symbolized (proved) by the blood.

                        1.)        [v 19] Moses sprinkled the blood to sanctify everything.

                        2.)        [v 23] This blood was symbolic of the heavenly reality.

                        3.)        [v 22] Blood cleansed and provided forgiveness.

***** The old looked forward toward the real, eternal, heavenly… Jesus. *****

            c.         [v 24] Jesus is alive.

                        1.)        NOW there is a new covenant in place.

                                    a.)        There is direct access to God (curtain torn at the crucifixion).

                                    b.)        We have direct access through Jesus.

                        2.)        [v 28] RESULT: Jesus will one day return.

                                    a.)        Jesus died… ransomed us… set us free: conscious is cleared and we can now serve the living God.

                                    b.)        Jesus will one day return… verifies and enforces the new covenant.

***** FACT: You are alive spiritually BECAUSE Jesus blood now runs in your veins. *****

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” [Galatians 2:20]

Appropriate Reaction

James 5:13 – 20

Appropriate Reaction

A difficult and wonderful text. Difficult because it has been so misunderstood and twisted. Wonderful because it offers so much hope and direction.

 

I.         There is an appropriate time for the right action.

 

            A.        Those suffering hardship and trouble pray.

 

                        1.         Find that prayer brings comfort.

 

                        2.         Prayer connects us with the presence of God. (Ill. A crying baby...)

 

            B.        Those who are happy sing praises.

 

                        1.         Singing is a form of prayer.

 

                        2.         Singing praises does two things:

 

                                    a.         It gives WITNESS to each other the things God has done.

 

                                    b.         It gives WORSHIP in exalting God.

 

            C.        Those who are sick call for prayer.

 

                        1.         This prayer is public. Private prayer does not put us or God “on the line.”

 

                        2.         There is the anointing with oil. This does not allow us to pass on the responsibility of praying for the individual.

 

                                    a.         Oil was the one of the main medical treatments of the day. Thus, recognizing the roll of legitimate medicine as an aid to healing.

 

                                    b.         Oil was the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

 

                        3.         When the sickness is connected with sin, it is an opportunity to make things right among believers.

 

                                    a.         This is the public apology that is often necessary when one persons sin affects the group.

 

                                    b.         Remember that sin brought sickness into the world. Not all sickness is a direct result of a specific sin (caus and effect).

 

            D.        Those who are stray are restored.

 

                        1.         There are two ways to “wander.” “Creed and Conduct”

 

                                    a.         Some things are necessary to believe:

 

                                    b.         When our conduct does not match the redeeming gospel of Jesus or is not under the controlling influence of the Holy Spirit, it is sin.

 

                                                1.)       Sin is a desperate condition of the heart of humanity which causes all sorts of problems.

 

                                                2.)       Left unchecked in the individual or institute (church) it has a killing effect.

 

II.       We tend to choose inappropriate responses for life conditions.

 

            A.        Examples of inappropriate responses:

 

                        1.         Suffering: Look for relief independent of seeking God.

 

                                    a.         Sometimes God wants us to learn something.

 

                                    b.         The real question is focus... where do we look in times of trouble?

 

                        2.         Happy: Celebrate instead of giving praise to God.

 

                                    a.         We can celebrate our happiness or turn people’s attention toward what God is doing.

 

                                    b.         The real question is focus... Do we want people to look at us or God?

“For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.” [Isaiah 48:11]

***** Stealing God’s glory may be the most serious common problem of the church in America today. It’s easy to do and seldom recognized. *****

 

                        3.         Sick: Do nothing.

 

                                    a.         James tells us to seek and depend on God.

 

                                    b.         Sometimes there is a deeper issue: sin.

 

 

                        4.         Sin: Ignored or encouraged.

 

                                    a.         “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. [11] You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” [Titus 3:10]

 

                                    b.         “Hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.” [1 Corinthians 5:5]

 

                                    c.         “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. [15] Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” [2 Thessalonians 3:14 – 15]

 

            B.        Why do we choose inappropriate responses?

 

                        1.         These issues are very personal.

 

                        2.         We tend to make things about us.

 

                        3.         Dealing with sin is a touchy issue. (“don’t judge” etc...)

 

                        4.         With most things we weigh “risk verses reward.” The need for healing and forgiveness against the potential public embarrassment and personal feelings.

 

III.      Why do we have this struggle?

 

            A.        We just don’t know.

 

                        1.         We’ve never been taught. (Remember the Bible is a “big” book with lots of subject matter. If the preacher doesn’t hit every subject every Sunday, its okay. That’s why consistent attendance is very helpful... over time you will get the full spectrum of Biblical teaching.)

 

                        2.         It’s not our custom and doesn’t fit local personality.

 

                                    a.         To some extent that’s not a problem... as long as we are not violating the clear teaching of Scripture.

 

                                    b.         For instance, a culture that does not express happiness or joy publically... then giving testimonies in the public service will naturally be rare.

[Caution: We can not judge ourselves or others by local customs and personality... God, thankfully, did not make us all the same. We should not try to imitate someone else or impose our ways on others.]

 

            B.        We place divine intervention against legitimate medical means.

 

                        1.         I think the Bible never discourages the uses of doctors or hospitals.

 

                        2.         Paul traveled with a doctor (Luke).

 

                        3.         Regardless what means are used, God is ultimately the giver of healing (or anything else for that matter).

 

            C.        Not everyone is healed.

 

                        1.         Correct! Sometimes God has something better.

 

                                    a.         Paul continued to struggle with his “thorn in the flesh.”

 

                                    b.         Paul’s physical illness served a bigger purpose.

 

                                    c.         What God does for one, He is not required to do for all in this issue.

 

                        2.         Sometimes “something better” is gaining heaven.

 

                                    a.         Christian perspective: this life is as bad as it gets for the believer (and as good as it gets for those who are not “in Christ.”)

 

                                    b.         “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” [2 Corinthians 5:8] (“absent from the body... present with the Lord” KJV, NKJV)

(Ill. What’s the point of fishing? Hint: it is not catching the fish...)

***** The point of publically asking for prayer and the church taking time to do this is to place ourselves under the will and authority of Jesus Christ. *****

 

IV.      It is always appropriate to direct everything to God.

 

            A.        Suffering, praise, sickness, or sin.

 

                        1.         Only God is the source of comfort.

 

                        2.         Only God is the source for praise.

 

                        3.         Only God is the source for healing.

 

                        4.         Only God is the source for forgiveness.

 

            B.        Give careful thought to our actions.

 

                        1.         Communion service: We ask for mercy.

 

                        2.         Communion service: “and be thankful.”

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