In the previous passage, we talked about the fact that God took the initiative to bring about reconciliation between himself and sinners. In this message we talk about how he did that. What had to happen in order for God to reconcile sinners to himself? And why does it matter in our day-to-day lives that we know and understand this?

When Adam and Eve sinned, they radically damaged the relationship between mankind and God, to the extent that there was and is nothing humans can do to repair that damage. Yet, God was not content to allow the relationship to remain that way. Thus, God takes the initiative to mend the relationship. This is what Paul discusses from 2 Corinthians 5:16-19.

The resurrection does not just prove that Jesus was who he claimed to be. It proves everything we believe and understand about God, about scripture, and about redemption. The resurrection proves everything.

On Thursday night, Jesus instituted the sign and seal of the new covenant—the Lord's Supper—but on Friday night, he inaugurates the new covenant with the shedding of his blood. On Friday night Christ fulfills and brings about what the OT Passover meal only foreshadowed.

The Lord's Supper was a foreshadowing of what Christ would accomplish for his people the very next day, and was instituted and given by Christ, and commanded to be observed regularly, to be a means of grace to the church.

Why did Christ die on the cross? Was it just to save us from hell? Was it just so our sins could be forgiven? Was it just so that we might be justified in the eyes of a holy God? Was it to bring us into a covenant relationship with himself? Yes! Yes! Yes! And yes! All that and so much more. Listen to what scripture says about this from 2 Corinthians 5:11-15.

Today in the medical world, tests can be run to find out what is wrong or if a particular growth is malignant or benign. This is important because the results will tell us whether we should be concerned or not. But what about our relationship with Christ? How can we be certain that we truly do have a saving relationship with Christ? The Bible provides us with a way to test our Christianity to tell us how we're doing or if we should be concerned. This message is from 2 Corinthians 5:6-10.

How can we be sure God is really working all things for our good? How can we be sure God will keep his promises he has made to believers regarding our future destiny? How can we be certain that through our suffering God "is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Cor 4:17)? What assurance do we have that these things are true? These are the questions the apostle Paul deals with in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.

In this passage, Paul helps us understand more clearly how, as believers, "we do not lose heart" in the face of suffering. He will do this by helping us understand that, in many ways, suffering is a blessing and a means of grace from God.

Ever wonder how the apostle Paul was able to endure all that he suffered without losing his mind or his faith? It's not because Paul was just tougher than most of us nor because he was just wired differently. What was it about Paul that enabled him to persevere in the face of tremendous suffering? In this passage, Paul more specifically details how he was able to endure suffering without giving up.