II. The Exhortation to understanding. 3:1-7:4
A. The influence of the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 3:1-18
B. The Influence of the Work of God. 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:21
4. The Preeminence of God. 2 Corinthians 5:1-16 as seen in –
c. The Proof 5:10 – 16 The evidence of His preeminence in our lives is seen in –
1). Our standing before God. 5:10
2). Our standing before men. 5:11-21 He is an example of God’s workmanship and so he –
a). Set forth the believer’s priorities. 5:11-16
b). Set forth believer’s position. 5:17-21 The wonderful truth to the praise of God!
We are Redeemed – a new relationship in Christ ; we are renewed; we are reconciled; we are representatives (Ambassadors); we are righteous (in Him).
“… Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:…”
Is living a life to testify to the righteousness of God our priority?

C. The Influence of the Will of God. 2 Corinthians 6:1,2.
Read 2 Timothy 2:2

Paul exhorted Timothy and Titus as pastors of churches to instruct the churches in this ministry. We need to know God’s Word and be able to share the truth of it, being able to share the application of it. Paul exhorted Titus to teach the people how to be examples for each other (Titus 2:1-7). We need to know how to live the life God has given us. We are Ambassadors – it is OUR ministry! Let’s look closely at this verse today and see what Paul is teaching us.

1. We have a ministry of learning. “…and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses…”

a. This ministry begins with believing.
b. Believing develops into caring – to be concerned.
c. Care leads to studying.

1). We know very little when we first believed.
2). Even after study, the knowledge needs to be applied or it will be lost to us.

2. We have the ministry of knowing. “…the same commit thou to faithful men…”
In order to commit, there must be trust!

a. there must be a relationship among the brethren.
b. there must be fellowship as friends.
c. There must be knowledge of one another as fellow-labourers. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. Note especially vs. 19

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
3. We have the ministry of willing service. “…who shall be able to teach others also.”

a. Willing to know doctrine. This is truth. What it is.

1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

b. Willing to teach doctrine. This is the application of truth. What it means.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

c. Willing to live doctrine. This is the method to use the knowledge. How it works

This leads to the following exhortation in 2 Corinthians 6 which we will look to next week. Today we want to assure ourselves that we desire to do the will of God. We must follow the pattern of the Lord –

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We all have a ministry that begins with salvation. Everyone has a part in serving the Lord.