This Sunday [lcf] teamed up with the Gospel Community Church.
The pastor from GCC and myself co-taught yesterday’s teaching on reconciliation.
beauty in justice – part two (reconciliation)
Andrew Moroz –
I want to show you this morning what motivates/drives us to serve.
Our theme: Reconciliation (& Service) – Read: 5:17-19 / Summarize
-Reconcile (v): to restore to friendship or harmony.
2 Corinthians – 4th letter to a messed up church
Christ has reconciled us and has given us the message and ministry of rec.
3 Facts that should motivate us to live a life of sacrificial service:
I. This life is temporary (what we do with it matters) (4:17-5:10).
Paul reminds the church that this life is temporary (4:17-18).
Our earthly body is temp and one day will be destroyed, but our heavenly body is eternal (5:1-8).
v. 9-10: While on earth our goal should be to please God b/c we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ and give account what we did on earth.
“Though you and I find ourselves surrounded by the lure of temporary pleasure, we must fasten our affections on the one who promises eternal treasure that will never spoil or fade. If your life or my life is going to count on earth, we must start by concentrating on the eternal. For then, and only then, will you and I be free to take radical risk, knowing that what awaits us is radical reward.” – David Platt, Radical
The fact that his life is temporary should cause us to live life in light of the ultimate rather than the immediate.
II. Christ loves us and died for us (14-15, 21).
This life is not about me – I’m not commending myself/I don’t want praise (12)
I don’t care if people think I’m crazy: I live for God and for others (13).
Read: 14-15, 21 – Share the Gospel?
What controls/compels you in this life?
The fact that Christ loves us and died for us should cause us to live a life of sacrificial service and love for God and others.
III. Christians have a message and mission (19b-20).
Ambassador – highest ranking official that represents a nation.
The fact that we have a message and mission should cause us to live a life of action and obedience.
“The gospel does not prompt you to mere reflection; the gospel requires a response.” – David Platt
Conclusion:
This life is temporary – live life in light of the ultimate rather than the immediate.
Christ loves us and died for us – live a life of sacrificial service and love for God and others.
These first two facts are especially important if you are not a Christian here this morning…Jesus lived, died, and rose again to restore the relationship between God and man?
Christians have a message and mission – live a life of action and obedience.
“Evangelism cannot be separated from social action because mission makes place through relationships.” Tim Chester & Steve Timmis Total Church
Philip Watkins –
This idea of justice is so central to God’s heart that if you remove it from the Bible you might as well not read it at all.
1 Timothy 6.17-19 (NLT)
17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
I use to read this passage and think to myself that this wasn’t really for me. It was for the wealthy.
Roughly 92% of the world doesn’t have a car. That means that 8% of the entire world that owns a car. We are rich.
Experts say that in order for the entire world to have the proper food, water, shelter, and health care it would cost $20 billion dollars.
Americans spend approximately $20 billion dollars on ice cream every year.
We are so rich. All of us. This passage isn’t just for the millionaires in the world…it is for you and I.
So what are some applications we can take from this passage?
1)Look for the oppression around you (both locally and globally)
2)Listen to the cries of the people around you (unplug your ears)
3)Pray (go on prayer walks)
4)Act (help bring justice)
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