The Urgency of Gospel Ministry

I: A NEW PERSPECTIVE (v. 16)

• A new perspective

• Knowing Christ differently

II: A NEW CREATION (v. 17)

• In Christ

• Regenerated

“The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him.” Matthew Henry

III: A NEW STATUS – RECONCILED TO GOD (vv. 18, 19)

• The foundation

• Christ's reconciling work

• The ministry of reconciliation

IV: CHRIST'S AMBASSADORS (vv. 20, 21)

• Ambassadors (presbew-o): an authorized __________________ or ____________________ appointed by his or her own government or sovereign.

• God's spokesman

• The message

“When God threatened the judgment of a flood, He threatened a worse judgment before it. Note that God's withdrawing His ordinances, or withdrawing the efficacy of His Spirit from His ordinances, was a worse punishment than any bodily punishment. … It is a very grievous and deplorable judgment for God to withhold or withdraw the workings of His Spirit from the outward ministry of the Word.” Christopher Love

V: AN URGENT COMMAND (6:1-2)

• The warning & command

• The time of salvation (Isa. 49:8)