The Motives Of Ministry (2 Cor 5.11–6:2)
March 5, 2023

Gospel ministry is worth the mess because it’s the ultimate way to invest in what lasts.

A Three-part Appeal to Gospel Ministry:

1 | “Hear Me Out”: Building the Need (5:11-13)

Three Motivations Drive Genuine Gospel Ministry:
1. The

We Sense: This is Serious (11a)

  1. The

    We Possess: This is for Real (11b-12)

  2. The

    We Express: This is Not About Me (13)

2 | “Here’s the Deal”: Making the Case (5:14-21)

Three Wonders Gospel Ministry Involves:

  1. The Life-saving

    We’ve Embraced: Jesus’ Love is the Provision for Reconciliation (14, 21)

  2. The Life-changing

    We’ve Experienced: Jesus’ Love Has Made Us Beneficiaries of Reconciliation (15-18a)

  3. The Life-giving

    We’ve Been Entrusted With: Jesus’ Love Has Sent Us Out as Ambassadors for Reconciliation (18b-20)

3 | “Time to Act”: Calling for Action (6:1-2)

Two Elements to Include in a Call for Response:

  1. The

    We Impart: Jesus’ Love Demands a Response (1)

  2. The

    We Exude: the Time to Respond is Now (2)

Discussion Questions:

Icebreaker Question:
Share a time when something that felt old to you somehow became new.

Discussion Questions:
What does (vs. what should) motivate us to try to persuade others to follow Jesus?
What does God teach to be true of those who are in Christ?
What kind of ministry did God give to his apostles?

Application Questions:
Where in your life is God calling you to be an ambassador for him?
When is the last time you shared Christ’s message of reconciliation and salvation with someone who needed to hear it?