Here in 2 Corinthians 5, Paul outlines the gospel in about as clear and concise a manner as possible. As a result, we are ambassadors for Christ – his representatives, his spokespeople. But even more than that, he is with us. In us. And for us.
Paul stands trial before Felix the Governor, and gives his defense. Felix began to be very interested in what Paul was saying, and even brought his wife in to potentially fact check Paul’s argument. But all of a sudden, when Paul’s defense turned into sharing the gospel to Felix, the conviction was too much. Felix bailed, said, "I’ll be in touch later, maybe," and two years later, he is out the door leaving Paul in prison for the next Governor to deal with, never having professed faith in Christ.
As Paul and Barnabas travel to Antioch, they are invited to speak at a synagogue. Paul launches into his first recorded sermon, and proclaims that God’s promises to Abraham and David are fulfilled in Jesus Christ! The blessing to Abraham in Genesis 12 pointed to Jesus, forgiving our sins and justifying us through his death & resurrection.
Resurrection Sunday 2024 – In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul is unsatisfied with knowing ABOUT Jesus – he wants to press on, reach out, and pursue KNOWING Jesus, which includes, knowing the power of his resurrection.
Jesus warns the disciples that when he goes back to the Father, the “world” (anyone who rejects Jesus as God’s Messiah) is going to turn and aim their hostility at Jesus’ followers instead. But even though they will face all kinds of hardship, they can be confident that they are never alone. The Counselor will be right there with them wherever they are.
Born guilty of Adam’s sin, we stand guilty before the highest court there is. But shockingly, Jesus steps in. Our guilt is applied to him, and his righteousness is applied to us! How can it be!?
After talking to his critics about how the kingdom of God has come on earth, and telling them to keep their eyes open to the kingdom, Jesus gets invited to a dinner party where he insults and criticizes the Pharisees on the specific ways they’ve shut their eyes to the Truth.
Ray Ortland is quoted as having said, “There is a hell before Hell; a heaven before Heaven.” Proverbs warns against death multiple times, but rarely does it point to the actual event. So this discussion of life and death is bigger than simply, “Do you have a pulse or not?”
The son in Proverbs has to make the choice to follow the Lord, and chase wisdom. The father can’t do it for him.
It’s one thing to know “about” God, but you don’t truly know him until you risk it.