As commissioned members of Christ’s Body (the Church), we are ministers of reconciliation!
Focus verses for this Sunday: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
In preparation for this Sunday, read all of 2 Corinthians 5 (it’s only 21 verses long, but it is a loaded chapter!).
I have family members who were commissioned into the army as officers. I attended the commissioning ceremonies where they received their stripes and a new title, and they pledged themselves to the commissioned duty to defend our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. They were commissioned officers, and they were sent out to live that commissioning with their lives on the line.
I see 2 Corinthians 5 as a strong commissioning service pledge. This is what we are—commissioned service members of the Body of Christ, His Church.
As you prepare for this coming Sunday, take some time to walk slowly through the entirety of 2 Corinthians 5. This chapter is only 21 verses long, but it is packed with so many truths we must all apply. If you truly want to understand what it means to be a member of Christ’s Church Body, you must unpack this amazing chapter from God’s Word. I have told you many times: we need to learn to read our Bibles slowly and repetitively. Look at the same chapter in more than one English version. Look carefully and think through the implications of some of the key words here. What does it mean? What does it change about the work of the Church? What does it change about my view of my own life as I am “commissioned” by God? Think carefully through words and phrases you will find, such as…
- New creation
- Ministry
- He has committed to us…
- The message of reconciliation
- Ambassadors
- We implore you…
- God’s appeal through us
- Righteousness of God
Scott J. will be teaching during the service on Sunday morning. He is uniquely qualified to teach this because of the life that he and Diane (his wife) are leading right now. As he teaches, I get the privilege of leading our worship music this weekend.
I will see you Sunday morning as we walk through this passage and worship our Lord Jesus as a church body together.
