Kress Biblical Resources :: A Christ-Sufficient Ministry Is Motivated by Faith, Christ’s Love, and the Desire to Honor Him—Not the Love and Honor of Self (2Co 5:11-21; 2Co 6:1-10)

Detailed Outline of 2 Corinthians

Defending the New Covenant Gospel Ministry of Grace and the Sufficiency of Christ

II. Gospel ministry and the sufficiency of Christ (2Co 1:3-7:16)

B. A Christ-Sufficient ministry explained and defended (2Co 2:12-17; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7)

4. A Christ-Sufficient ministry is motivated by faith, Christ’s love, and the desire to honor Him—not the love and honor of self (2Co 5:11-21; 2Co 6:1-10)
   1. The motivation of faith issues in evangelism (2Co 5:11)
      1. Faith in the reality of Christ’s holiness and holy examination of our lives (2Co 5:11a)
      2. Faith that is approved by God (2Co 5:11b)
      3. Faith that should be approved by other believers (2Co 5:11c)
      4. Faith that should be defended by other believers (2Co 5:12-13)
         1. Genuine faith is to be commended—not questioned (2Co 5:12)
         2. Genuine faith may come across as crazy by some—but is actually concerned for the well-being of others (2Co 5:13)
   2. The motivation of Christ’s love issues in love for Christ and a life lived for Him (2Co 5:14-17)
      1. The compelling nature of Christ’s love (2Co 5:14-15)
         1. The love of Christ (2Co 5:14a)
         2. The logical conclusion concerning His sacrifice (2Co 5:14b-15a)
         3. The life of love that issues from the love of Christ (2Co 5:15b)
      2. The complete transformation of those in Christ (2Co 5:16-17)
         1. A completely new perspective (2Co 5:16)
         2. A completely new person (2Co 5:17)
   3. The message issues in a ministry of reconciliation (2Co 5:18-21)
      1. The message issues in a ministry of reconciliation (2Co 5:18-20)
         1. The Source of the gospel message and the ministry of reconciliation (2Co 5:18-19)
            • God Himself in Christ (2Co 5:18a, 19a)
            • God’s message preached through God’s messengers (2Co 5:18b, 19b)
         2. The summons of the gospel message and ministry of reconciliation—be reconciled to God in Christ (2Co 5:20)
      2. The message is summarized by God’s plan of substitution and imputation in Christ (2Co 5:21)
         1. The Sovereign plan
         2. The sinless Savior
         3. The substitutionary sacrifice
         4. The saving righteousness (imputation)
   4. The ministry of this message issues in a passion for souls and a passion to honor Christ no matter the cost (2Co 5:1-10)
      1. A passion for souls/people (2Co 5:1-3a)
         1. Co-laboring with God (2Co 5:1a)
         2. Calling people to embrace the grace of God (2Co 5:1b-2)
            • The solemn concern (2Co 5:1b)
            • The Scripture quotation (2Co 5:2ab)
            • The short expository exhortation (2Co 5:2c)
         3. Conducting oneself uprightly so that the ministry is not discredited (2Co 5:3)
      2. A passion to honor Christ no matter the cost (2Co 5:4-10)
         1. The summary desire stated (2Co 5:4a)
         2. The suffering and difficulty faced (2Co 5:4b-5)
            • In very trying times (2Co 5:4b)
            • In pressure situations (2Co 5:4c)
            • In need (2Co 5:4d)
            • In sorrow (2Co 5:4e)
            • In beatings (2Co 5:5a)
            • In imprisonments (2Co 5:5b)
            • In riots (2Co 5:5c)
            • In overwork (2Co 5:5d)
            • In sleeplessness (2Co 5:5e)
            • In hunger (2Co 5:5f)
         3. The supernatural character revealed (2Co 5:6-7ab)
            • In purity (2Co 5:6a)
            • In knowledge (2Co 5:6b)
            • In kindness (2Co 5:6c)
            • In the Holy Spirit (2Co 5:6d)
            • In sincere love (2Co 5:6e)
            • In the word of truth (2Co 5:7a)
            • In the power of God (2Co 5:7b)
         4. The spiritual opposition noted (2Co 5:7c-8)
            • Through weapons of righteousness in both hands (2Co 5:7c)
            • Through glory and dishonor (2Co 5:8a)
            • Through slander and praise (2Co 5:8b)
            • Treated as imposters yet true (2Co 5:8c)
         5. The Scriptural perspective embraced (2Co 5:9-10)
            • Though strangers here—yet intimately known by the Lord (2Co 5:9a)
            • Though dying here—yet behold alive to the Lord (2Co 5:9b)
            • Though beaten here—yet not being put to death before the Lord (2Co 5:9c)
            • Though grieving here—yet rejoicing in the Lord (2Co 5:10a)
            • Though beggars here—yet enriching others in the Lord (2Co 5:10b)