Puyallup Nazarene Church
There is a significant difference between inviting God into your vision for your life and giving your life into God's vision. Has Jesus come to make my life better, or does he call me to follow him to engage in his mission? Another way of putting it: Does the church have a mission or does God's mission have a church? Explore this with us in 2 Corinthians 5.14-21
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 NIV
The Missio Dei is grounded in God's love for his creation!
Verse 14. "The love of Christ compels us."
God's mission is to make of us a new creation. verses 17, 18 and 21
God's mission is a ministry and a message of reconciliation. verses 18-20
Giving God the Church he wants:
1. Have you done a cost-benefit analysis.
2. Choosing the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2.9-10, 12, 16
3. Welcome, Holy Spirit! "We have received the Spirit who is from God!"
1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 12, 16 NIV
Discussion and Application Questions for Group Life Communities and Personal Study-
Read 2 Corinthians 5: 14-21
Observe
Take time to read the passage… one or several times. What words or ideas captures your attention? Where are words repeated? What is a new thought about the passage?
- How many times is the word reconciled used in this section of scripture? What does it mean?
- What does the title Christ mean? What does it mean to be ‘in Christ’ ?
- What motivated Paul to do the things he did? How does this motivation carry over to us as we live our lives?
- What does death and life have to do with the motivation to love? What does ‘one died for all, and therefore all died’ mean?
Interpret
- What does it mean that Christ is reconciling the world to himself? What does this say about the extent of God’s work for humanity and all of creation?
- Paul uses words like ‘implore’ and ‘making his appeal’. Why do you think Paul takes this tone when describing the message of Jesus?
- Why is it a value to become the righteousness of God?
Apply
- In what tangible ways are you an ambassador for Christ?
- Can you put together a short paragraph (elevator speech) that explains what it means to be reconciled to God? Who is someone you could share that message with this week?
- What are the benefits of being ‘in Christ?’
Next week: Next Sunday.....The Mission of God and Meeting Needs
