October 15, 2006: The Cross of Reconciliation
October 15, 2006Charles 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.
- We are empowered and enjoined by the cross
- Our will is reconciled to God’s love (v. 14)
- Our life is reconciled to Christ’s death (v. 15)
- We recognize Christ
- No longer through the veil of His flesh:
Our sight is reconciled to Christ’s image (v. 16) - In the new creatures that are in Him, not according to the old
Our “nowâ€? is reconciled to Christ’s “not yetâ€? (v. 17) - We reconcile and are reconciled to God
- God is the source:
Our need is reconciled to God’s provision in Christ (v. 18a) - Christ is the person of our reconciliation (v. 18b)
- “God was in Christâ€? — salvation is of the Trinity (v. 19a)
- Our world is reconciled to God’s Word
- We are the ambassadors of reconciliation
Our mission is reconciled to God’s commission (vv. 18c, 19b, 20) - The cross is the means of reconciliation
Our depravity is exchanged for Christ’s righteousness (v. 21)
[...] Once again I preached at Grace Community Bible Church. This time it was only an hour, but the chaos that ensued from trying to reconcile the three different outlines I ended up with made this sermon… not one of my better public speaking moments. Still, if you care, give it a listen. [...]