Who is Your One?
2 Corinthians 5:17
Summary
In this message from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, the third installment of the Core Values series, we learn that mission must be our mindset, both as a church and as individuals. Because we are new creations in Christ entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, we are sent out as ambassadors to proclaim the great exchange, that Christ who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.
Sermon Outline
- 1
The Great Exchange Explained ▶ 1:49
Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:21 reveal substitution: God treated Jesus as if He lived our sinful life, then treats us as if we lived Christ's perfect one.
- 2
Mission So Faith Doesn't Become a Hobby ▶ 4:09
When a church forgets it is sent on mission, faith becomes a hobby, the church becomes a club, and Christianity shrinks into a self-improvement project.
- 3
Mission Changes Everything for Individuals ▶ 6:36
A missional mindset transforms marriage, work, and parenting from expectation management and paychecks into callings with eternal significance.
- 4
A New Creation in Christ ▶ 10:57
Like an old truck rebuilt with a powerful new engine, we are not merely improved but made new, and our identity is not achieved but received.
- 5
Ambassadors with a Ministry of Reconciliation ▶ 15:20
As ambassadors we represent a new King in a foreign land, carrying His message of reconciliation as beggars who have found food and can point others to it.
- 6
Stories of Costly, Compelling Mission ▶ 20:11
Jim Elliot's sacrifice in Ecuador and a grieving grandmother's forgiveness of a killer show the power of being compelled by the love of Christ.
- 7
Who Is Your One? ▶ 27:13
The message closes by urging each person to name someone far from God, pray for them, and take a step of faith to share the message of reconciliation.
Key Points
- Mission must be our mindset, or faith becomes a hobby, the church becomes a club, and Christianity becomes mere self-improvement.
- We were not saved just from something, but saved for something: God's mission and purpose for our lives.
- In Christ we are a new creation, not merely improved, and our identity is received from God rather than achieved by us.
- As ambassadors for Christ we represent His kingdom and speak with His authority, carrying a ministry of reconciliation.
- The great exchange means Christ took our shame so we could receive His glory and bore our sin so we could have life.
- God doesn't just make His appeal around us; He wants to make His appeal through us to a watching world.
Quotable Moments
Discussion Questions
- 1
How would you explain the great exchange of 2 Corinthians 5:21 in your own words to someone who had never heard it?
- 2
The message says faith becomes a hobby when mission is forgotten. Where do you see consumerism or club mentality tempting you in your walk with God?
- 3
What does it mean that your identity is received rather than achieved, and how would living from that truth change your daily life?
- 4
An ambassador represents a king in a foreign land. In what specific settings has God placed you to represent Christ this week?
- 5
Who is your one, the person far from God but close to you, and what is one step of faith you could take to share Christ with them?
Take It With You
- Write down the name of one person far from God and commit to praying for them daily this week.
- Look for and act on one concrete opportunity to share the message of reconciliation with your one.
- Reframe one ordinary role, whether your marriage, job, or parenting, as a mission field, and serve there for Christ's glory rather than your own.
The study guide above (summary, outline, key points, quotes, questions) was generated from the sermon transcript with AI and reviewed by our team. Spot something off? Let us know.
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