2 CorinthiansChapter 05

MOTIVES FOR MINISTRY

I. INTRODUCTION

A. We get word "MINISTRY" mixed up!

1. Relating to Pastor.

2. Some "area" of service at church.3. minister = servant a. In full time ministry.

B. Some DREAD serving the Lord.

1. A "inconvenience".

a. Must have right MOTIVES.

II. ASSURANCE OF FUTURE HOPE

A. Who is more qualified to compare earthly bodies to tents?

2. Compares earthly bodies to eternal bodies!3. Statements regarding our Future Hope: a. 2Corinthians 5:1

(1) The Lord has told us so!! (a) John 14:19 (b) Tent was weak.

(c) Lord promised us a mansion!

i) John 14:2 c. 2Corinthians 5:2-5

(1) Been camping for more than 3

days! (a) Tent life uncomfortable. (b) Causes pain and discomfort!

i) Romans 8:22-23 (c) Omission of any kind of purgatory.

i) 2Corinthians 5:8ii) 2Timothy 4:6 a) A trip, vacation!!iii) 1Corinthians 15:55 a) The Holy Spirit

guaranteeing His return!

b) Until then we await freedom to

soar!d. 2Corinthians 5:6-8 (1) God's people on

the earth, or in heaven.

(a) Ephesians 3:14-15(b) Spirit not in some"intermediate place".

i) Verse 7 a) A "reckoning" in

presence of the Lord

b) Heaven our MOTIVATION! c) Assurance of a

future hope!!

III. FEAR OF THE LORD 2Corinthians 5:11

A. Not much "fear of the Lord" these days!

1. Often forget JUDGMENT SEAT OF

THE LORD.2. Many churches omit

anything negative. a. Day of reckoning never mentioned.

b. Paul life affected by it:

3. 2Corinthians 5:9 a. Paul knew where he

was going!(1) Concerned with

being "well pleasing" to the Lord!

(2) What pleases the Lord:

(a) Romans 12:1 i) To live selfless

lives!(b) Ephesians 5:10-11 i) Separate from

evil.(c) Philippians 4:18 i) Give to bless others.(d) Colossians 3:20

i) Respect parents.(e) Hebrews 13:20-21 i) Let Him work out

His will in our lives.

ii) His/her life can be well

pleasing. (3) To be "ambitious"

for the Lord.(a) Ambitious for the

Lord or ourselves!

(b) Taken time to see how much will stand?

4. 2Corinthians 5:10 a. judgment seat = "BEMA SEAT"

(1) Where awards were given out.

b. BEMA SEAT a place of revelation!

(1) Experience sorrow and loss.

(a) Motives judged. (a) 1Corinthians 4:5

(3) Our words: (a) Matthew 12:36

(4) Relationship -His judgment and way we judge others! (a) Matthew 7:1-2

(b) Lay crowns at His feet!

i) Not Great White Throne Judgment.

a) For rejecting Jesus!

ii) Life pleasing so:

5. 2Corinthians 5:11-13 a. 1Peter 4:18

(1) Shared Lord's desire. (a) Because of "the love of Christ!"

IV. LOVE OF CHRIST 2Corinthians 5:14-17

A. When Christ died, all Christians died with Him.

1. Galatians 2:202. Willingly give up old

life for new life in Christ!

a. No longer mine to do with as I wish!

(1) "Christ died our death that we

might live His life for Him."

b. Avoid looking with fleshly eyes.

(1) Carnal vision keeps us in the flesh.(2) New position should affect vision.(3) See others the

way Christ sees them

V. MINISTRY OF CHRIST 2Corinthians 5:18-21

A. Emphasis is RECONCILIATION!

1. “To change thoroughly" 2. The cross changed God's relationship with mankind.

a. The Lord reaching down to man.

b. “Religion" never makes a difference.

(1) Our attempt to reach the Lord.

3. Sub-point is IMPUTATION. a. “To put to one's account."

(1) Make a deposit, to our account".

(2) When Jesus died our sins "imputed".(a) 2Corinthians 5:21(b) Christians have

been RECONCILED!

i) Philemon 1:10-18

VI. CONCLUSION

A. 2Corinthians 5:20

1. The true motivation for Christian ministry:

a. Assurance of hope!(1) This life not all

there is. b. Fear of the Lord should motivate us!

(1) Enter heaven on merits of Jesus.

c. Serve Him because we love Him!

(1) 2Corinthians 5:14(2) He first loved us! (a) Real motivation

for holiness. d. Christ's reconciling world to the Father!

B. 2Corinthians 5:21