Got your glasses and moon pies?
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Everyone who has ever developed a product or service looks for the ideal way to get people to purchase it. That’s called marketing, and there are different ways to make it happen:
- Person-to-person marketing. Friends tell their friends about recent purchases and why they like them.
- Viral marketing. People see a product video or image online and they share it on social media.
- Evangelism marketing. People who are so sold on a product or company that it’s all they use or talk about. (Know anyone who is an “evangelist” for the iPhone®, for example?)
Telling others about Jesus has nothing to do with marketing, but it can involve persuasion. In 2 Corinthians 5, the apostle Paul wrote about persuasion. However, his focus wasn’t on what he did to persuade others; his focus was on what persuaded him to share Christ with others.
Let’s consider what persuades us to do the same.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
2 Corinthians 5:11
11 Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences.
You’ve probably seen one of countless motivational posters hung in businesses and offices: a dramatic picture with a stirring quote meant to offer inspiration and motivation to be harder workers or better people. Such posters might generate nice thoughts, but do they truly motivate us?
Motivation drives everything we do. Psychologists define motivation in two ways: extrinsic and intrinsic.
- Extrinsic motivation is what causes us to do something in order to gain an external benefit, such as waking up at 4:30 a.m. to deliver newspapers because you need money.
- Intrinsic motivation is what prompts us to do something for internal satisfaction, without any regard for receiving anything from another person—such as showing up every Sunday to unload a trailer and set up chairs so that your church can meet in a rented school cafeteria.
What motivates us to share the gospel with others? Paul pointed to an intrinsic motivator: “Since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people.” Paul wasn’t referring to the kind of fear that’s marked by terror; nor did he point to the type of fear associated with phobias, such as the fear of snakes (or clowns). Rather, Paul was talking about a fear that rises out of a deep respect and awe.
This reverential fear—this deep and loving respect—motivated Paul to live in such a way that would please Christ. The same fear should motivate us to live the same way even as we “try to persuade people” about the gospel.
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If one died for all, then all died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. 16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
When I was engaged to Christina, I wanted to do something special for her on Valentine’s Day. But I was a student on a limited budget. I couldn’t afford dinner at a restaurant, so I cooked our own gourmet meal. What made it particularly special for her was that I took the time to make it myself, even though I had never done so before.
What compelled me? Love! It was the same love that compelled me to work at a fast-food sandwich shop all summer so I could afford an engagement ring for her. The same love that compelled me to move across the country so I could live in the same city where she lived.
Love compels us to do great things—like share the good news of Christ with those who need to hear it.
Several gospel truths stand out in this passage as part of the message Paul was compelled to share:
- Christ died for all (vv. 14-15). Every one of us has sinned. The penalty for failing to live in total obedience to God is death (see Rom. 3:23; 6:23), but Jesus willingly took upon Himself the death we all deserve (see Heb. 2:9).
- Christ was raised for all (v. 15). God raised Jesus from the dead, and all who believe and trust Jesus will be granted eternal life (see John 11:25-26; Rom. 6:5-9).
- We can live for Christ (v. 15). Christ comes to dwell in His followers; we are not on our own, but He gives us His Spirit to help us live and bring glory to Him (see Rom. 8:14-17).
- We are made new in Christ (v. 17). Jesus doesn’t just remove our sin; He gives us a new life (see Eph. 2:10).
Sharing the gospel of Jesus is not a religious act or a task to check off of your list. Instead, it’s the natural overflow of experiencing Christ’s love. We were broken vessels—broken by our sin—but Christ took our sin and brokenness upon Himself. He died for you and me “so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.”
For that reason, boldly share the gospel of Jesus Christ! Proclaim the good news because of the love of Christ, which compels you.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
We know from our own relationships that reconciliation is needed when two people are at odds with each other. But we were more than just “at odds” with our Creator; we rebelled and made ourselves God’s enemies. Thankfully, God would not leave us there. “While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son” (Rom. 5:10).
We are reconciled to God! This is surely good news.
Yet, for many Christians, their understanding of the gospel ends there. They see the great benefit of the gospel for themselves, but they fail to see that they’ve been charged with sharing this opportunity for reconciliation. It’s our ministry.
Because of this ministry, Paul called us ambassadors for Christ. The principle duty of an ambassador has not changed since Paul’s day. Namely, an ambassador represents his or her country on foreign soil. When a United States ambassador speaks to a foreign government, it’s the United States speaking. In the same way, we represent Jesus. We are the ambassadors of King Jesus in a place that is not our true home, which means we’re to live in such a way that when people see us, they see Jesus. As Christ’s ambassadors, our words—right or wrong—are a reflection on Him. That’s why Paul said, “God is making his appeal through us.”
God’s plan to save the world includes you and me. If you are a follower of Christ, God has given you the ministry of reconciliation. If you are a new creation in Christ, God has commissioned you to share that same message of reconciliation with others (see Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). You are an ambassador for Christ, and God wants to use you to share the gospel with others.
So go! Share with others what God has done in your life. Talk about what your life was like before you encountered Christ. Share what your priorities used to be and how you used to make decisions. Then talk about the moment you realized your ways were insufficient. Share how everything changed when you confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior (see Rom. 10:9-10).
Be Christ’s ambassador and carry out the ministry of reconciliation. “We plead on Christ’s behalf: ‘Be reconciled to God.’” Let God handle the rest.
LIVE IT OUT
What steps can you take to share the gospel this week? Consider these suggestions:
- Begin with prayer. When you wake up in the morning, get on your knees and ask God to work through you. Tell Him, “Lord, please use me to be a blessing to others today. Help me to be Your ambassador today.”
- Learn to share. Talk to your pastor or a leader in your church to get some practical tips for sharing the gospel. Consider using the inside front cover of this book as you talk as a guide for talking with others about Jesus.
- Share. Commit to initiating a gospel conversation this week. Be active in telling someone about Christ.
God has blessed you to be a blessing. God wants to work through you to see His kingdom come and His will be done in your neighborhood, workplace, and city. Are you ready to go?
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Teacher Notes:
II Corinthians 5:11, 14-21
Click Here to Watch
Bear Bryant Speech to incoming Freshmen & Dabo Swinney's Talk on Alcohol
Both coaches were trying to motivate their players. They were trying to generate a passion to succeed or to correct a behavior. Passion drives action. We can try to do things we know we should, and we can try to avoid the things we know we shouldn’t do, but eventually, if nothing changes in our heart, we will fail to change our ways. If we want to truly see a change in our actions, we have to reignite and correctly orient our passions within.
Rick Warren’s devotion - When Temptation Calls, just Hang Up!
Is that what we do when God calls us to share the gospel? Do we just hang up or are we just ignoring the call?
God calls us to share the gospel.
We teach and listen to sermons on evangelism, we attend classes and conferences on evangelism, why we even take steps to try to share the gospel more in our communities. But until we are ignited by a passion on the inside to see someone repent and trust in Jesus and have their life completely turned right side up, to the glory of God, we will be futile in our efforts.
From 2 Corinthians 5, Paul gives us 3 motivations he had and we can use to ignite our passion to share the gospel. And it begins with fear!
I. The Fear of the Lord
2 Corinthians 5:9-11
Point: We are going to be held accountable before the Lord.
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
Why is fear a good motivator?
- Protection – reason you are going to wear those glasses tomorrow for the eclipse.
- It works – military, coaches, authority, parents.
What does it mean to fear the Lord? What is good about fearing God?
- you have the right perspective
- you realize His power, authority, majesty
- you submit to this authority
- you have no desire to rebel or go against Him
How does fear of God get misapplied or misunderstood?
- when scare tactics are used in presenting the Gospel … “turn or burn” … “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
- telling kids “God is going to strike you down for what you did”
- when we put a guilt trip on ourselves and try to work hard to please God in our own strength
- somehow think that it affects the status of our eternal salvation
How should the knowledge that we are accountable to the Lord affect our attitude toward witnessing and other spiritual ministries?
- we do not treat it lightly
- we are faithful in carrying out the responsibilities
- we prepare sufficiently
- don’t try to “wing it”
- prepare your own heart for the ministry situation
Ezekiel 3:17-18 (NIV) - “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.
The Message - Son of man, I’ve made you a watchman for the family of Israel. Whenever you hear me say something, warn them for me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You are going to die,’ and you don’t sound the alarm warning them that it’s a matter of life or death, they will die and it will be your fault. I’ll hold you responsible.
What responsibility do we have to the lost person? Is there a penalty if we don’t tell them the gospel? Jesus said to every believer in Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Therefore, every believer becomes responsible to tell others. Every believer has a sphere of influence, and that he is responsible for, beginning with family, friends, and neighbors, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus also said in Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Our responsibility begins at home and then reaches out to the world.
What if we do not warn the lost? Is there a penalty? Paul says, "Woe (judgment) is unto me, if I preach not the gospel (I Corinthians 9:16)." The believer will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ (I Corinthians 3:11-15) and will be held responsible for not giving the gospel. According to Ezekiel God will hold believers responsible for telling unbelievers how to be saved, (Romans 1:14-16).
The fear of the Lord. Our first motivation for sharing the gospel is that we fear the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:11). The fear of the Lord — knowing His holiness, authority, beauty, worth, and judgment and worshiping Him for these — motivates us to let others know of Him. Knowing He’s holy (thus worthy of fear and respect, especially as it regards our sinful state in His presence) evokes fear in us. His authority evokes fear as well, since He has every right to do whatever He pleases. Every person will appear before His judgment seat one day (5:10), and it’s the fear of standing before a Holy God with all knowledge and authority that motivates us to tell others.
Lasting Lessons in 2 Cor. 5:11:
1. Christians should have a healthy “fear of the Lord.”
2. When believers fear the Lord, they will approach Him with humble adoration.
3. Fear of the Lord should motivate believers to persuade others to follow Christ.
II. The Love of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Point: We are loved by Christ and this compelled Paul.
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 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. 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. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
What elements of the gospel message are found in these verses?
- we have all sinned, we are all in rebellion against God
- we were born with that attitude, predisposed to defy God
- the penalty for that is death
- Jesus loved us so much (even though we rebelled and sinned against Him) that He took our place in death
- He took the punishment I deserved and gives me new life, eternal life, eternal union with God
- I deserved eternal separation from God (spiritual death) but Jesus made it possible to receive eternal life
How does love motivate us?
- someone demonstrates love to me
- I tend to respond to that love in kind
- with true love, a person acts for our good with no desire or guarantee for reciprocity
- when we see that directed to us, we want to do the same … to them, to someone else
- Christ’s love for us is that kind of love … we don’t deserve it, we cannot expect it
- we are drawn to that kind of love and it makes us want to do likewise for others
How is it possible for us to be motivated both by the fear of the Lord and Christ’s love?
- we are in awe of God
- we are in awe of His love for us, despite our sinful attitudes and actions
- we are so overwhelmed with the concept that God loves us that we respond in submission and obedience to Him
The love of Christ. We are not only motivated by the fear of the Lord, but we are also positively motivated by love. We have come into the greatest love the world has ever known, and with that love coursing through our spiritual veins, we can’t help but love others when we abide in the vine (John 15:5,12). So, while the fear of God motivates us externally to persuade others to know Christ, it’s the love for God (and others) internally that also motivates us to make Christ known. This love will compel us to spread the news of the person and work of Jesus. If we truly love God, we will talk of Him to others. And if we truly love others, we will talk to them of God.
Lasting Lessons in 2 Cor. 5:14-17:
1. God’s love compels Christians to share Christ with people who don’t yet know Him.
2. Because Christ died for us and rose again, we should live for Him.
3. Believers in Christ have been given a totally new life.
III. The Transforming Power of the Gospel
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
Point: We are commissioned as an Ambassador for Christ – it’s our ministry.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 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. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
What did God do through Christ?
- reconciled us to Himself through Christ
- we were once enemies with God, now (through Christ) we are actually God’s children
- Christ’s substitutionary death made it possible for God to love us and bless us – and still remain a Holy and Righteous God who punishes sin
- sin has been punished, our sin debt has been paid by Jesus’ death
To what office have we been commissioned on behalf of Christ?
- ministry of reconciliation
- we share with others what God has done for us and can do for them
- we are ambassadors for Christ
- we are His spokespersons
What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ?
- represent Christ to people
- communicate to them His love, His desire for their salvation
- point people to a personal relationship with Jesus
- witness faithfully, effectively
Someone has said that believers are the only “Jesus” that some will ever see. What kinds of things in the life of a believer would keep others from seeing Jesus in their lives?
- anger
- intolerance
- lack of love and compassion
- selfishness
- inability to control your own life (personal habits)
- inappropriate language
- when we shade the truth, otherwise known as cheating, lying, dishonesty
What kinds of things do we need to have changed in our lives so that Jesus can be seen more clearly, so that we will be more effective ambassadors?
- confess, repent of sins
- keep your relationship with Christ current
- receive power of God's Spirit to live above these temptations
- Ask God to give us His love and compassion
- pray that you will be a clear “channel” through which the love of Christ can flow
- be reading and meditating daily on God’s Word
The transforming power of the gospel. One last piece of kindling that will light the fire of our passion for sharing Christ is that ability of the gospel to transform lives. This news we have changes everything. And it can change anyone. Jesus brings the dead back to life (5:15), He makes the old new (17), He brings near to God those who were far off (18-19), and He makes sinners radiantly righteous (21). This will happen with anyone who will trust Christ. This means, then, that those we are sharing with are not those who need no transformation, but are instead dead, old, far off sinners. And we engage them and share in hopes of seeing Christ transform them. This is our hope, our passion, to share the gospel.
Lasting Lessons in 2 Cor. 5:18-21:
1. God created all things and loves and pursues fallen humanity.
2. God reconciled us to Himself through the death and resurrection of Christ.
3. Since we are reconciled to God, we should be ministers of reconciliation to others.
Conclusion: Paul had a passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ even when facing opposition. He identified at least three reasons this passion was so strong.
1. He was motivated by knowing he would be held accountable before the Lord.
2. He was compelled by realizing the great love Christ had for him.
3. And desiring to please God, he accepted the commission that had been given to him.
Those three reasons for being passionate about sharing the gospel ought to motivate us too.
But does it?
Hope to see you in class on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
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