06 Dec Born is the King | Part 3 “Hark! The Herald”
CONTROLLED BY THE GOSPEL
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 ESV
HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
(ANNOUNCEMENTS):
CHRISTMAS SERVICES: Saturday, Dec 23 at 4:00p and Sunday, Dec 24 at 9:30a and 11:30a.
When you get the Gospel, it changes how we feel. Our emotions are caused by the information we receive. Whatever information we receive, whether good or bad, our emotions change.
Q. What is some information you have received that caused you to have a particular emotion?
The Gospel is information. It is an announcement about what God has done for us through Christ Jesus. It is the greatest announcement the world has ever heard.
2 Corinthians 5 theme: Reconciliation
‘God and sinners reconciled’.
Reconciliation is the restoration of friendly relations to former enemies.
The love of God controls us. Paul knows that Christ reconciled him back to God. Paul was a former enemy of Jesus. He was going to kill and arrest God’s people then Jesus shows up and Paul becomes the greatest proclaimer of Jesus. Jesus became Paul’s controlling influence.
Q. What, other than Jesus, has been a controlling influence in your life? Is there something that has made you feel better or better than someone else that has controlled you? (Example: Dieting – diet for your good not for your greatness)
WHEN THE LOVE OF GOD CONTROLS ME:
- NO PRETENSE IS REQUIRED.
What we are is known to God. We do not need to put a show on for others, however we are tempted to every day. We want people to think we are stronger or better than we really are.
Pretentious = “attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent or culture than is actually possessed (pre means – before; tense means stress).
Q. What is an example of a false pretense you have possessed and why?
Jesus eliminates our need to put on a show. If we are His, then who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
His love for us is more important than someone else’s judgement.
We will appear before the judgement seat of Christ as Christians. As in any relationship, we have fear of judgement. It is a healthy fear of what the other person thinks of us. Because we value them, we don’t want to let them down. Jesus is important to Paul, he did not want to let Him down.
Q. How true is this in your relationship with others? Do you have a healthy fear of judgment with someone you are close to and how?
WHEN THE LOVE OF GOD CONTROLS ME:
2. NO PERSON IS INSIGNIFICANT.
Most of our problems are because our relationships are a mess. When Christ is more important to us, we see others through His eyes. We see people differently now. We don’t see black or white, poor or rich, democrat or republican; if we are washed with the blood of Christ, we are brothers and sisters. Relationships are properly aligned with the Gospel.
Q. How are your relationships with others different now than before you were a believer? Do you see people the way Jesus sees them or do you struggle with this and how?
THE GOSPEL CHANGES HOW WE SEE JESUS. IT ALSO CHANGES HOW WE SEE OTHERS.
Paul says to be a Christian is not to be a religious person, but a new person breaking free of your old creation. The Christian message is the Hope of the world. Telling people about the love of Jesus; this is the new creation message.
THE GOSPEL BRINGS PEACE BETWEEN US AND GOD SO THAT WE CAN BRING PEACE BETWEEN OURSELVES AND OTHERS.
The gospel tells us that our sins are no longer held against us! This is why we do not want to hold others sin agains them.
Q. Do you have trouble believing that God no longer holds your sin against you and why? Do you struggle with forgiving others?
WHEN THE LOVE OF GOD CONTROLS ME:
3. NO ANNOUNCEMENT IS MORE IMPORTANT.
A ‘Herald’ is what will bring peace on earth when men are a peace with God.
Jesus was talking about that He was going to shed His blood for our sins.
Luke 19:42b ESV
We have too many churches that don’t know the Gospel.
The great exchange. Our sin put on Christ so His righteousness is put on us.
Peace on earth, God and sinners reconciled!
PRAY FOR EACH OTHER, THE LOST, CHRISTMAS SERVICE, CAMPUSES, LEADERS AND NATION.
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