The Ministry of Reconciliation

I. Paul's Motives v. 11

A. “The Fear (phobos) of the Lord”. v. 11a

B.  His Desire for the Corinthians to Stand by Him in the Ministry

C.  Paul's  Ministerial Goals 	
    -- Toward God, it is to be well-pleasing to Him  v. 9
    -- Toward men, it is to persuade  -- v. 11, 20

                

II. The Ministry of Reconciliation 17-21

A.  Reconciliation and the Christian

B.  Paul's (and the gospel minister's) Ministry of Reconciliation

1. Before there is a reconciliation – there must first be an estrangement.

   2.  God is the active agent in this reconciliation
       Heb. 12:2
   
   3.  We are reconciled to God through Christ and “in Christ”.
       1 Timothy 2:5,  John 14:6
       
   4.  Paul and gospel ministers are ambassadors for Christ.
   
       An ambassador acts and speaks on behalf of a sovereign.
   

An ambassador acts and speaks in place of a sovereign.
An ambassador is commissioned by a sovereign.

5. Not everyone is reconciled – or there would be no need for a
   pleading and imploring “to be reconciled”.

   C. A Practical word on Preaching, Missions and Church Planting