Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

ILLUST - Have you ever ask, “Why am I here?”

One time I found myself in a birthing class. . .

Gospel-centered Worship

Identity - Who am I?

Gospel-centered Community

Belonging - Where do I belong?

Gospel-centered Service

Meaning - What is the meaning of life?

Gospel-centered Multiplication

Purpose - Why am I here?

2 Corinthians 5:14-20

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 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.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.

Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 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.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.

Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 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.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

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.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

Our motivation for multiplication is Christ.

(14-15)

those who live no longer live for themselves but for him

His love (14-15a)

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all,

It is not the authority of Christ that controls us.

It is not the holiness of Christ that controls us.

It is not the power of Christ that controls us.

It is his love.

Controls = “holding together” seized, hemmed in.

Christ’s love compels from behind, but it is the future accountability before God that also aids in our motivation.

6 So we are always of good courage.

We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.

But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.

13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 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.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

Our purpose (15b)

that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Because of his love we have a change of purpose.

Our means for multiplication is Christ in us.

(16-17)

if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.

Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

The death and resurrection of Jesus changes things:

Changes how we view things.

We see Jesus differently.

ILLUST - A cell phone company had a series of Super Bowl commercials themed “The Team That Wouldn’t Be Here” in which members of the NFL told personal stories of first responders who had saved their lives.

In one of the segments, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn recalls the night he was struck by a drunk driver and flew 50 feet into a parked car.

He is telling the story to a group of first responders - firefighters, police officers EMTs.

As he is finishing his story a few of the first responders introduce themselves to Coach Lynn as those who had assisted him on the night of his accident.

There is a distinct change in the coach’s demeanor as he realizes he is in the presence of those who had saved his life.

There is a distinct difference in hearing about someone who saves lives and meeting the one who saved yours.

For those who have been saved from the wrath of God and an eternal death in hell, Jesus is NOT simply a good man, a wise teacher, a religious leader - He is Savior.

“The lifeblood of the gospel, however, courses from the central truth that in Christ God became one with the human race, that he died for all, and that his resurrection breaks the stranglehold of death.”

David E. Garland, 2 Corinthians, vol.

29, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 278.

Should we not have the same reaction when we think about our life before Christ and then realize again what Jesus has done for us.

I’m afraid the depth of the glory of salvation through the gospel of Jesus is lost as we:

minimize the grotesque nature of sin and rebellion against God.

preach a gospel defanged of the wrath of God.

If the wrath of God is not to be feared then the work of Christ is of little value and we would regard Jesus as a good religious man.

But, if we take some time to truly think about our condition had Jesus not gone to the cross, and then realize the glory of salvation, we will see Jesus differently.

Changes how we do things.

Brothers and sisters, you ARE a new creation.

You are currently participating in the beginnings of the new creation.

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

It is not a physical change, but a spiritual change.

Eternal death is gone

heart of stone is gone

Not only does Christ’s death change how we do things, it MUST change how we do things.

We are a new creation so that we might live differently now as we will live forever then.

It is not so that we might gain a ticket now and simply wait for then.

ILLUST - The gospel is more like your car’s registration than your car’s insurance.

Your registration states who owns the vehicle because you intend to use it.

Your insurance is there not to be thought of or used until needed.

Because we are changed, we must live changed lives.

We are marked to make a mark.

If we are not living out the changed life and participating in the new creation now than the only thing we have to offer others who don’t yet know Jesus is fire insurance.

Jesus wants you to participate in the JOY of the new creation, the FREEDOM of the new creation, the HOLINESS of the new creation, the LIFE of the new creation, the POWER of the new creation.