MOTIVATED MINISTRY (11 OF 23)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
This content is part of a series.
Title: Motivated Ministry (11 of 23)
Series: Suffer with Purpose.
Author: Keith Krell
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Why do you do what you do? What has motivated you throughout your life? Perhaps you're motivated by guilt. You have a hyper-sensitive conscience and don't want to feel bad. Maybe you're motivated by pride or power-a desire to prove your value, worth, or significance by your accomplishments. But perhaps you aren't motivated by a what, but a who. You live for the approval of others, and you don't want to disappoint the significant people in your life-a spouse, a parent, a coach, a teacher, or a friend.
We all know that beneath the surface of every outward action is an inward motive. For our purposes, we need to ask the fundamental question: What should motivate us as followers of Christ? The apostle Paul answers this question in 2 Cor 5:11-21, where he offers three divine motivations. These verses are the heart of the letter, and they take us to the heart of the gospel.
1. We are motivated by the fear of Christ (5:11-13). The fear of God leads to the fearlessness of people. Oswald Chambers, author of the devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, said: "When you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you don't fear God you fear everything else." In 5:11a, Paul writes, "Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men [people]." The word "therefore" refers back to 5:10, where Paul explains the judgment seat of Christ. On that day, we will be recompensed for our deeds, whether good or evil. This sobering prospect should illicit "fear." In this context, "fear" is not merely what some have dubbed "reverential awe." Rather, it's a healthy sense of terror. The judgment seat will be terrifying because our lives will be exposed before Christ, and then He will evaluate our works or lack thereof. Obviously, this event should not be taken lightly. To stand before the Lord Jesus Christ in all of His glory and give an exhaustive account of one ...
Series: Suffer with Purpose.
Author: Keith Krell
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Why do you do what you do? What has motivated you throughout your life? Perhaps you're motivated by guilt. You have a hyper-sensitive conscience and don't want to feel bad. Maybe you're motivated by pride or power-a desire to prove your value, worth, or significance by your accomplishments. But perhaps you aren't motivated by a what, but a who. You live for the approval of others, and you don't want to disappoint the significant people in your life-a spouse, a parent, a coach, a teacher, or a friend.
We all know that beneath the surface of every outward action is an inward motive. For our purposes, we need to ask the fundamental question: What should motivate us as followers of Christ? The apostle Paul answers this question in 2 Cor 5:11-21, where he offers three divine motivations. These verses are the heart of the letter, and they take us to the heart of the gospel.
1. We are motivated by the fear of Christ (5:11-13). The fear of God leads to the fearlessness of people. Oswald Chambers, author of the devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, said: "When you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you don't fear God you fear everything else." In 5:11a, Paul writes, "Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men [people]." The word "therefore" refers back to 5:10, where Paul explains the judgment seat of Christ. On that day, we will be recompensed for our deeds, whether good or evil. This sobering prospect should illicit "fear." In this context, "fear" is not merely what some have dubbed "reverential awe." Rather, it's a healthy sense of terror. The judgment seat will be terrifying because our lives will be exposed before Christ, and then He will evaluate our works or lack thereof. Obviously, this event should not be taken lightly. To stand before the Lord Jesus Christ in all of His glory and give an exhaustive account of one ...
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