Yesterday I preached at Sung Evensong at our local Parish Church of All Saints' Birchington. The second lesson was 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2.. 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2 "Ambassadors for Christ". How can we be Christ's Personal Representatives? As Matthew Henry points out, two things are necessary : Regeneration (14-17) and Reconciliation (18ff). Then we can get on with the Embassy of Representation.. 1. OUR PERSONAL REGENERATION BY THE SPIRIT 5:14-17 "The love of Christ leaves us no choice, when once we have reached the conclusion that one man died for all and therefore all mankind has died" (14).. a. Here is a New Act of Creation. 17 "When anyone is united to Christ, he is a new creature : his old life is over; a new life has already begun" (margin). The old life is over, because we are reckoned to have died with Christ. The new life has begun, because the Holy Spirit has led us to reach the above conclusion. It is like being born again; this time not of water only, but "of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5).. b. Here is a New Act of Dedication. 15-16 Once born again, our whole attitude changes. As ambassadors for Christ, we no longer live for ourselves, but for our Sovereign who regenerated us and recruited us. We represent Him in the alien courts of the world. We receive our secret instructions through the Holy Spirit of God in the Diplomatic Bag of Bible Study and Prayer.. 2. OUR PERSONAL RECONCILIATION BY THE SON 5:18-21 a. We were Reconciled to God by a Vicarious Atonement. 18-19; 21 Substitutionary Atonement has had a bad press; but there is nothing shocking in the idea when once we realise that Christ is not the "innocent third party" (whom it would be gross injustice to punish instead of the guilty), but the sinlessly perfect "First Party". He exacts the full rigour of the Law; then steps down and pays the death penalty Himself. The penalty paid, God no longer holds our misdeeds against us (19b).. b. We were Recruited for God by a Vicarious Apostolate. 20 Most people do not become Christians through a direct message from God; although this does happen (e.g. to Sadhu Sundar Singh). Typically, we become Christians through the personal example and appeal of individual Christians whom we have come to know. God makes His appeal to sinners through us. What a privilege to represent our God and Saviour to the sinners whom He came to save! 3. OUR PERSONAL REPRESENTATION OF CHRIST 6:1-2 Our share in God's Work: a. Note the Cogency of the Appeal. 1-2a We certainly received the grace of God on our Day of Deliverance, when we received Christ as our Saviour and Lord through the witness of others. We know just how great is the deliverance we experienced. Now "Let the redeemed of the Lord *say so*..." (Ps 107:2, AV).. b. Note the Urgency of the Hour. 2b Paul urges this appeal on us (1) because of the shortage of time. "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth" (Prov 27:1). "Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart" (Ps 95:7-8).. "Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation" (2b, AV). "Do not let it go for nothing" (1).. So to be Christ's Personal Representative, you must first be Christ's Personal Regenerative! ____________________________________________________________________________
