There's More Part 3

Sermon Notes of II Corinthians 4:16-5:21[1]
Readings: Matthew 5:13-16; Colossians 4:5, 6; I Peter 3:14-16
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I. We Do Not Lose Heart (II Corinthians 4:16-18).
    A. We focus on eternal things.
II. We Have a House from God (II Corinthians 5:1-10).
  A. We aim to please Christ.

There’s More (II Corinthians 5:11-21)
I. We are  Ambassadors of Reconciliation
  A. We persuade from fear II Cor. 5:10[2] (v11).
    1. A believer’s reverence[3] (Prov. 9:10; II Cor. 7:1; Acts 9:31; Eph. 5:21)
  B. We are apparent to God and man (v11-13).
    1. An enthusiasm sometimes looking like madness and sometimes like sobriety (Ex. Acts 26:22-24)[4]
  C. We are controlled (compelled) by love (v14-17).
    1. The love displayed and imparted by Christ[5] (I Jn. 4:19)
    2. To keep within the narrow bounds to serve Christ[6]  
    3. Based on Christ’s work
    4. Produces new priorities:
      1a. Live for Christ rather than self (v15)
      2a. View people in terms of eternity (v16)[7]
        1b. James and Jude knew Jesus as Lord rather than as a half-brother (Jas. 1:1; Jude 1:1).
        2b. People in Christ are new creations (v17).
  D. We speak peace (reconciliation) (v18-21).
    1. God has given all the things of the new creation[8].
    2. God invites people to be reconciled through His servants.
    3. Christ, the sinless, became sin so we may become righteous (v21).
II. Implication: All Believers are Ambassadors (Representatives)
  A. Are we good or bad ambassadors for Christ?
    1. Does reverence for God make us obey Him and warn others?
    2. Do we live like God and other people are watching?
    3. Do we respond to Christ’s love with love (obedience)?
    4. Do we live by God’s priorities or our own priorities?
    5. Does our speech reflect the gospel of Christ?

[1] June 22, 2025 Renewal Bible Fellowship and Mount Pleasant Christian Church
[2] (Robertson, 1933)
[3] (MacArthur, 2005)
[4] (Henry, 1714)
[5] (Perowne, 1921)
[6] (Perowne, 1921)
[7] (MacArthur, 2005)
[8] (Jamieson, 1871)