Sermon #1933[i]                                                                                Miscellaneous Sermons

 

            Title:                           ÒWe Persuade Men.Ó

 

            Text:                            2 Corinthians 5:11

            Subject:                     The Gospel Call

            Introduction:

 

ÒKnowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.Ó (2 Corinthians 5:11)

 

ÒWe persuade men.Ó — That is my subject. ÒKnowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.Ó — ÒWe persuade men.Ó I want to persuade you who are yet without life and faith before God, you who yet have the wrath of God abiding on you, to come to my Savior, to trust the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to persuade you who are GodÕs to give yourselves up to our blessed Savior in relentless, whole hearted consecration and devotion to His will and His glory. — ÒWe persuade me.Ó

 

It is my great privilege and awesome responsibility to speak once more to you (eternity bound sinners with immortal souls) in the name of God almighty, as His ambassador! I am here to feed, comfort, reprove, edify, and encourage you who know the Lord. And I am here to persuade you who are yet enemies to God to be reconciled to Him, before He crushes your soul down to hell in His fierce anger.

 

I want, by the grace and power of God the Holy Spirit, to persuade you who are yet GodÕs enemies to be reconciled to God. I want to persuade you to quit fighting against God, to cease from your warfare with the Almighty, to raise the white flag of surrender to King Jesus.

 

My task is too great for me. I pray that God the Holy Spirit will speak by me to your hearts for the glory of Christ and your soulsÕ everlasting good. If you care for your souls, give me your attention for a few minutes. I want you to hold your Bibles open at 2nd Corinthians 5. Just hold them open on your laps and follow along as I show you the message contained in this passage of Holy Scripture.

 

You will find the burden of my message and the burden of my soul for you in verses 11 and 20. ÒKnowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.Ó I know that only God Himself can persuade you to be reconciled to Him. Only God can give dead sinners life. Only God the Holy Spirit can give you life and faith in Christ. I am fully aware of your inability and my own. Yet, it is my business to persuade and pressure you, by the preaching of the Gospel, to come to Christ; and it is your responsibility to come.

 

Now, look at verse 20. — ÒNow then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in ChristÕs stead, be ye reconciled to God.Ó I stand before you as GodÕs ambassador. I cannot and will not alter the message He has given me to deliver to you. Yet, I am not just a messenger. A mere messenger has no regard for the message he carries, the one who sends him, or the one to whom he is sent. GodÕs servants are not like that! I cannot think of anything more important to me than these three things:

 

1.    The One Who has Sent Me (Jeremiah 1:4-10).

 

Jeremiah 1:4-10 ÒThen the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (5) Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (6) Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. (7) But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. (8) Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. (9) Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. (10) See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.Ó

 

2.    The Message He has Given Me (1 Corinthians 1:17).

 

1 Corinthians 1:17 ÒFor Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.Ó

 

3.    The Immortal Souls to Whom I am Sent (Romans 10:1-4).

 

Romans 10:1-4 ÒBrethren, my heartÕs desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (2) For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (3) For they being ignorant of GodÕs righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.Ó

 

Proposition: I am calling for you to cease from your rebellion, to come to God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, surrendering to His rule and dominion as your Lord and your God.

 

That is the issue. You must be reconciled to God. To believe on Christ is to bow to Christ. To be saved is to surrender to the claims of God upon your life, trusting Christ alone for acceptance with Him.

 

Divisions:      The basis of my appeal is sevenfold.

1.    The Immortality of Your Soul (vv. 1-9)

2.    The Certainty and Strictness of Divine Judgment (vv. 10-11)

3.    The Love of God in Christ (vv. 11-16)

4.    The Blessedness of GodÕs Salvation (v. 17)

5.    The Finished Work of Christ (vv. 18-19)

6.    The Message of Grace Revealed in the Gospel (vv. 20-21)

7.    The Urgency of Faith (6:1-2)

 

1.      THE IMMORTALITY OF YOUR SOUL

 

You and I are not animals. We did not evolve from some a worm, a germ, or an ape. We are creatures made in the image and likeness of God. We live in these bodies; but we are living, immortal, undying souls.

á      Genesis 2:7

á      Mark 8:36-37

 

Genesis 2:7 ÒAnd the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.Ó

 

Mark 8:36-38 ÒFor what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (37) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (38) Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.Ó

 

You are going to spend eternity somewhere, either in everlasting life in heaven or in everlasting death in hell. Everything in this world is temporal. Our existence here is more brief than words can describe. Everything here is vanishing. It is all passing away. Try as you may, you cannot hold anything or anyone here for very long. But we are rapidly moving to a world where all things are eternal.

á      2 Corinthians 4:18

 

2 Corinthians 4:18 ÒWe look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.Ó

 

With those things in mind, I want us to read verses 1-9. In these 9 verses the apostle Paul, writing by Divine inspiration, shows us a believerÕs attitude toward life and death. He also issues a warning to all who are yet without Christ.

 

2 Corinthians 5:1-9 ÒFor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.Ó

 

There are many, many things taught in these verses that need to be understood; but let me simply show you three things that are true of all believers.

 

A.         We live in the expectant hope of immortality (vv. 1-4; Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 1:12).

 

2 Corinthians 5:1-4 ÒFor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: (3) If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (4) For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.Ó

 

Philippians 1:21-23 ÒFor to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22) But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. (23) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.Ó

 

2 Timothy 1:12 ÒFor the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.Ó

 

B.        Our faith in Christ gives us confidence and assurance of these things (vv. 5-8).

 

2 Corinthians 5:5-8 ÒNow he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. (6) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.Ó

 

C.          Yet, our faith and confidence does not cause presumption (v.9; Philippians 3:8-14).

 

2 Corinthians 5:9 ÒWherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.Ó

 

Philippians 3:8-14 ÒYea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.Ó

 

We recognize that there are multitudes who, as soon as they die, must forever perish under the wrath of God; and many of those who do perish in hell vainly presume that they are perfectly accepted with God. Do not be so foolish. If you die without Christ, you will die forever. That is to say, you will be cast into hell to suffer the second death. The wrath of God shall be your everlasting portion.

 

I appeal to you, as an eternity bound sinner with an immortal soul, to be reconciled to God. Secondly, I make my appeal to you upon...

 

2.      THE CERTAINTY AND STRICTNESS OF DIVINE JUDGMENT

 

I remind you once more that there is a day of judgment. I know that there is a final, climatic day of judgment appointed by God; but do not imagine that until then your sins will go unpunished. It is not so. Immediately after death, you and I will meet Christ Himself in judgment. Read verses 10-11.

 

2 Corinthians 5:10-11 ÒFor we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.Ó

 

Nahum 1:2-6 ÒGod is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. 5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. 6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.Ó

 

Revelation 20:11-12 ÒAnd I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.Ó

 

ÒYe sinners, seek His grace,

Whose wrath ye cannot bear;

Fly to the shelter of His cross,

An find salvation there.

 

So shall the curse remove,

By which the Savior bled;

And the last awful day shall pour

His blessings on your head.Ó

                                                                                                                                                                        — Philip Doddridge

 

As you care for your soul, I urge you to flee from the wrath of God. O my friend, flee away to Christ and be saved!

 

Illustration: The Cities of Refuge

 

Yet, I know that the wrath of God will never persuade you to trust his Son. The terror of judgment to come may terrify you; but it will never break your heart and bring you to Christ. It is the goodness of God that leads sinners to repentance. So thirdly, I appeal to you upon the basis of...

 

3.      THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST

 

2 Corinthians 5:11-16 ÒBut we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.Ó

 

I claim your attention and hearing, not because of anything in me but by the Gospel I preach. My only commendation of myself to you is the message I preach. You know that I tell you the truth (v. 12).

 

ÒFor we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to [answer] them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.Ó (2 Corinthians 5:12)

 

My motive, I believe is obvious. I have no concern in this thing except GodÕs glory and your eternal good (v. 13).

 

ÒFor whether we be beside ourselves, [it is] to God: or whether we be sober, [it is] for your cause.Ó (2 Corinthians 5:13)

 

The basis of my appeal to you, the foundation of my message, the strength of the call I now issue to you is the love of God revealed in the crucified Savior (vv. 14-16).

 

ÒFor the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. —— Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.Ó (2 Corinthians 5:14-16)

 

In these verses the apostle is telling us that the love of God is revealed in...

 

The Sacrifice of His Son. — ÒFor the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all deadÓ (v. 14). If Christ died for me as my Substitute, then I died in Hm. Indeed, all for whom He died are forever dead to the law, because He paid our debt in full! — ÒHerein is love!Ó It is this love of God revealed in the crucified Christ which constrains us, graciously, effectually, irresistibly constrains usÉ

á      To Trust Him.

á      To Serve Him.

á      To Obey Him.

á      To Honor Him.

á      To Love One Another.

 

The Substitutionary Nature of His Sacrifice (v. 14) —— The Son of God died in the place of guilty, hell deserving sinners, that sinners who deserve GodÕs wrath might be forgiven of all sin and forever accepted of God in Him as perfectly righteous and holy!

 

The Sanctifying Efficacy of His Sacrifice ÒAnd that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose againÓ (v. 15).

 

The Saving Revelation of His Grace — ÒWherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no moreÓ (v. 16).

 

Do you see how the Holy Spirit reasons with and persuades us by PaulÕs words to be reconciled to our God? He appeals to us upon the basis of...

á      The Immortality of Our Souls

á      The Certainty and Strictness of Divine Judgment.

á      The Love of God in Christ.

 

Now, look at verse seventeen. Here, the Holy Spirit appeals to sinners, and I appeal to you who now hear my voice, to be reconciled to God upon the fact ofÉ

 

THE BLESSEDNESS OF GODÕS SALVATION.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 ÒTherefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.Ó

 

I cannot imagine language more beautifully and powerfully calculated to persuade sinners to be reconciled to God than this. Here the offended King, the God against whom we have sinned declares that all who are found in His dear Son are granted total, complete, everlasting amnesty by His grace, forgiven of all sin by His blood, and made holy, righteousness, unreproveable, and unblamable in His sight! Look at the words of this blessed text. God help you to hear each word.

 

ÒThereforeÓ — Since Christ died in the place of His people. — ÒIf any man be in ChristÓ

á      By Divine Election.

á      By the SpiritÕs Effectual Call.

á      By Faith.

ÒHe is a new creatureÓ Theologians use the word ÒregenerationÓ to describe the new birth; but the Bible never does. The Bible uses the words Òquickened,Ó Òborn again,Ó and Òborn of the SpiritWe are not regenerated when God saves us. The old man is not made alive again. Rather, we are born again, born of the Spirit, given an entirely new life in Christ, made partakers of the Divine nature!

 

ÒOld things are passed awayÓ If you are in Christ, if this moment you trust the Lord Jesus Christ, God has wiped the slate clean, blotted out all your sins, forgiven all your transgressions, and pardoned all your iniquities. So thorough and complete is His forgiveness that He will never impute any sin to you for any reason!

 

Psalms 32:1-5 ÒBlessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (2) Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (3) When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (4) For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. (5) I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.Ó

 

Romans 4:8 ÒBlessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.Ó

 

ÒBehold, all things are become new!Ó

á      A New Nature — Sanctification!

á      A New Record — Justification!

á      A New Covenant — Grace!

á      A New Name — Sons of God!

 

I am calling for you to be reconciled to God. I am, for your soulsÕ eternal good, trying to persuade you to come to Christ. The basis of my appeal isÉ

1.                        The Immortality of Your Soul.

2.                        The Certainty and Strictness of Divine Judgment.

3.                        The Love f God in Christ.

4.                        The Blessedness of GodÕs Salvation — and in verses 18-19É

 

5.         THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST

 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 ÒAnd all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.Ó

 

Here the Holy Spirit shows us five things about the grace of God.

 

A.    ÒSalvation is of the Lord

 

Here is the source, cause, and origin of all salvation and grace — ÒAnd all things are of God!Ó Salvation is GodÕs work, from start to finish. A preacher once told my wife, ÒGod is sovereign over everything except salvation.Ó He was dead wrong. God is sovereign over everything, especially salvation!

á      He Planned It.

á      He Purchased It.

á      He Performs It.

á      He Preserves It.

á      He will have the Praise of It!

 

That same preacher said to Shelby, ÒGod is in control of everything except manÕs will.Ó Oh, no. If God leaves you to your imaginary Òfree will,Ó you will go out of here just like you came in, lost, dead, doomed, damned, without Christ, without God, without hope. But, thank God, salvation does not depend on your will or mine! Salvation is accomplished by GodÕs will!

á      Romans 9:16

á      Psalm 110:3

 

READ THE TEXT AGAIN. — ÒAnd all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.Ó

 

B.    God was in Christ!

 

Colossians 2:9-10 ÒFor in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.Ó

 

C.   God was in Christ reconciling the world of His elect to himself.

 

NOTE: Do not allow heretics to confuse you by throwing that word ÒworldÓ in your face. Obviously, God did not reconcile everyone in the world to Himself, for all are not reconciled to Him. He reconciled His elect, scattered throughout all the world, to Himself. That means thatÉ

 

D.   The work of reconciliation, in so far as the law and justice of God is concerned, was finished at Calvary (Romans 5:8-10).

 

Romans 5:8-10 ÒBut God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.Ó

 

E.    The great and glorious fact revealed in this glorious redemption accomplished by Christ is just this — GOD WILL NOT IMPUTE SIN TO HIS CHOSEN!

 

Now, He has committed and trusted to us the word, the ministry, of reconciliation. Let me tell you what that means. The Lord God has sent us to tell sinners the good news of reconciliation accomplished by Jesus Christ. He has sent me to call you to be reconciled to Him. Will you hear me now? If this moment you bow to Christ, if you right now raise the white flag of surrender in your heart to the Son of God, you have been reconciled to God by the death of his dear Son.

 

Now, I want you to seeÉ

 

6.    THE MESSAGE OF GRACE REVEALED IN THE GOSPEL (vv. 20-21).

 

There is no passage in the Bible more glorious than this. There are no words to be found in human literature to compare with these. Read these last two verses and weep over the sins that demanded such a sacrifice. Read these verses and rejoice and give thanks to God for the grace that provides such a sacrifice! May God the Holy Spirit now use them to persuade you, as only He can, to be reconciled to God.

 

Here is the call of grace. ÒNow then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in ChristÕs stead, be ye reconciled to God.Ó — Perhaps you are more thoughtful than most. Maybe you are thinking, ÒIf God is holy and just, if He must punish sin, how can He be gracious to a sinner like me?Ó Read verse 21.

 

Here is the basis of grace. ÒFor He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.Ó

1.    Who was made sin?

2.    Who made the Son of God to be sin?

3.    For whom was the Lord of glory made to be sin?

4.    How was He made to be sin for us?

5.    Why was He made to be sin?

6.    What did God do with His dear Son when He was made to be sin for us?

7.    What is the result of Christ being made to be sin for us?

 

The Spirit of God has given me these powerful persuasive appeals and arguments, by which He sends me to persuade you to be reconciled to God by faith in ChristÉ

1.    The Immortality of Your Soul (vv. 1-9)

2.    The Certainty and Strictness of Divine Judgment (vv. 10-11)

3.    The Love of God in Christ (vv. 11-16)

4.    The Blessedness of GodÕs Salvation (v. 17)

5.    The Finished Work of Christ (vv. 18-19)

6.    The Message of Grace Revealed in the Gospel (vv. 20-21).

 

But before I send you home, I must also press upon you this last appeal. Maybe this is the thing God will use to lay hold of your heart, if hHe has not already done so. In chapter 6, verses 1 and 2 we seeÉ

 

7.         THE URGENCY OF FAITH in Christ.

 

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 ÒWe then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)Ó

 

Ye sinners, seek His grace

Whose wrath ye cannot bear;

Fly to the shelter of His cross

And find salvation there.

 

Amen.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

Listen to sermons at FreeGraceRadio.com

 

 



[i]        Danville — (Sunday AM – 10/23/11)

College Grove Grace Church, College Grove, TN — (Friday – 10/21/11)

Ballymony, N Ireland — (MON – 10/31/11)