Gospel-Centered Evangelism (5 of 8)
Series: The Gospel-Centered Life
Jonathan McLeod
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:17-21).
GOOD NEWS TO SHARE
It's normal for us to share good news. Yet most Christians find it difficult to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.
The gospel rebukes our RELUCTANCE and COMPLACENCY and compels us to SHARE THE GOOD NEWS.
Why are we reluctant to share the gospel? We are often afraid of rejection, ridicule, anger, and embarrassment. Why are we complacent about sharing the gospel? Perhaps we don't think enough about the destiny of those who die without faith in Christ.
"The love of Christ controls us" (2 Cor. 5:14). The NIV says, "Christ's love compels us." We should not be motivated by guilt, but by grateful joy.
THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION
God has entrusted to us "the message of reconciliation" (v. 19). Three questions need to be answered regarding reconciliation. First, what is reconciliation? Second, why is reconciliation necessary? Third, how is reconciliation possible?
1. Reconciliation is what God has done to BRING US BACK TOGETHER with himself.
"Reconciliation is God's initiative and God's work, while the direction of reconciliation is also Godward. God is not reconciled with us, as if we were the point of reference and God we ...
Series: The Gospel-Centered Life
Jonathan McLeod
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:17-21).
GOOD NEWS TO SHARE
It's normal for us to share good news. Yet most Christians find it difficult to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.
The gospel rebukes our RELUCTANCE and COMPLACENCY and compels us to SHARE THE GOOD NEWS.
Why are we reluctant to share the gospel? We are often afraid of rejection, ridicule, anger, and embarrassment. Why are we complacent about sharing the gospel? Perhaps we don't think enough about the destiny of those who die without faith in Christ.
"The love of Christ controls us" (2 Cor. 5:14). The NIV says, "Christ's love compels us." We should not be motivated by guilt, but by grateful joy.
THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION
God has entrusted to us "the message of reconciliation" (v. 19). Three questions need to be answered regarding reconciliation. First, what is reconciliation? Second, why is reconciliation necessary? Third, how is reconciliation possible?
1. Reconciliation is what God has done to BRING US BACK TOGETHER with himself.
"Reconciliation is God's initiative and God's work, while the direction of reconciliation is also Godward. God is not reconciled with us, as if we were the point of reference and God we ...
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