Ministers of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2

Paul attached his identity to Christ in many ways:

• I Paul am a prisoner of Christ (Eph 3)
• I Paul am an Apostle of Jesus Christ ( 1 Tim 1)
• I Paul am a servant of Jesus Christ (Rom 1 and 1 Cor 5)

In this passage Paul talks about his role as an ambassador for Jesus Christ and a minister of reconciliation.

1. Controlled by the Love of Christ.
2. As Christians we are controlled by the love of Christ.
3.  “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.” (15)
4. Why did Christ die for you? That you might live for Him.
5. Those who Christ died for are called to live in surrender to Him.

We are controlled by Christ’s love because he reconciled us to God.

2 Reconciled by the Work of Christ (17-18).

1. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself (18)
2. Reconciliation- The re-establishment of an interrupted or broken relationship.
3. Our relationship was broken-So it’s remarkable when Paul describes us as “in Christ”
4. We went from enemies of Christ to being in Christ.
5. By Jesus’ work we can be reconciled to Him.
6. “In Christ”
7. Paul uses this phrase 67 times
8. What does it mean to be in Christ?
9. In relation to Christ
10. Or in relationship with Christ.
11. Our relationship with Christ transforms us-
12. Old systems of self centeredness pass away.
13. Paul is directly saying old ways of evaluating and esteeming people pass away.
14. We are given a new way of life.

The love of Christ constrains those alive in Christ to live in ministry for Christ.

3 Entrusted with Ministry (18b-21)

1. People often think just the pastor is the minister or in the ministry.
2. Everyone in Christ has been given a ministry
3. This Ministry is described two ways-
4. Minister of Reconciliation-
5. Ambassador- 
6. How should a minister of reconciliation and ambassador of God respond?
7. In a way that point all people to Christ
8. This plays itself out in almost every scenario of life.

I want to apply our role as an ambassador a reconciler to parenting:

How do you parent as an ambassador for Christ?

1. Encourage confession.
2. Address sin.
3. Discipline, when necessary, out of love.
4. Depend on God.