Grace Community Bible Church Sermons

Charles Sebold: The Cross of Reconciliation

In 2 Cor. 5:14-21 we see three things that the cross accomplishes for us and seven reconciliations that take place.

1. We are empowered and enjoined by the cross
1. Our will is reconciled to God’s love (v. 14)
2. Our life is reconciled to Christ’s death (v. 15)
2. We recognize Christ
1. No longer through the veil of His flesh:
   Our sight is reconciled to Christ’s image (v. 16)
2. In the new creatures that are in Him, not according to the old
   Our “now” is reconciled to Christ’s “not yet” (v. 17)
3. We reconcile and are reconciled to God
1. God is the source:
   Our need is reconciled to God’s provision in Christ (v. 18a)
2. Christ is the person of our reconciliation (v. 18b)
1. “God was in Christ” — salvation is of the Trinity (v. 19a)
2. Our world is reconciled to God’s Word
3. We are the ambassadors of reconciliation
   Our mission is reconciled to God’s commission (vv. 18c, 19b, 20)
4. The cross is the means of reconciliation
   Our depravity is exchanged for Christ’s righteousness (v. 21)