2 Corinthians: Be Reconciled to God

Sermon Outline for March 12, 2023
2 CORINTHIANS: Be Reconciled to Christ
2 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2

Introduction: Ambassador of Sennacherib // Ambassador of Christ
Five Truths of Our Salvation.
• God has sent an offer of peace and reconciliation of right-relationship (5:20)
• Christ took on our sin and condemnation (5:21)
• We take on the righteousness (right-standing // -relationship) of Christ (5:21)
• We must not “receive God’s grace in vain” (6:1)
• The time of God’s salvation is now here (6:2)
The Sinlessness of Christ:
Hebrews 4:15, For we do not have a high
priest who is unable to empathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been
tempted in every way, just as we are—yet
he did not sin.
Hebrews 7:26, Such a high priest truly
meets our need—one who is holy,
blameless, pure, set apart from
sinners, exalted above the heavens.
1 Peter 1:19, ...but with the precious
blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or
defect.
1 Peter 2:22, He committed no sin, and no
deceit was found in his mouth.
1 John 3:5, But you know that he appeared
so that he might take away our sins. And in
him is no sin.

Christ Became Sin:
Colossians 2:13-14, When you were dead in your sins and in
the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with
Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge
of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and
condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Galatians 3:13, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the
law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is
everyone who is hung on a pole.”
Romans 3:25-26, God presented Christ as a sacrifice of
atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received
by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because
in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand
unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the
present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those
who have faith in Jesus.
Titus 2:14, ...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very
own, eager to do what is good.

Questions for Discussion:
• Paul calls himself an “ambassador” for Christ. In what ways are all Christians an ambassador for Christ?
How do we as individuals live as ambassadors?
• If a “relationship” means there is an impact and influence between two parties, how strong is your
relationship with God? What areas of your thoughts, feelings, or actions would indicate a strong relationship
and what areas might indicate a weak relationship?
• In light of 2 Corinthians 5:21, how might you explain the cross of Jesus to a non-Christian neighbor?
• Based on the passages above (i.e., Col. 2:13-14; Gal 3:13; Rom. 3:25-26; Titus 2:14), what additional
information could be added to your description of 2 Corinthians 5:21?
Sending Word: Psalm 103:7-12, 20-22