The Fundamentals

The Fundamentals (2 Cor. 5:18-21) *Verses in NKJV, unless otherwise noted*

– 2 Cor. 5:18-21, Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Example of teaching fundamentals: *Picture* 1982 Gold basketball team, Boys and Girls Club…

– My dad was the coach, teaching fundamental skills, building a strong foundation, doing it right…

– Other teams where giving the ball to the “best” kid, and the rest would just clear out of the way. They would win games, but only one kid on the team was actually “playing basketball,” the rest were just watching… wearing uniforms…

– We lost… a lot, and only won the last game of the season, BUT we all left knowing how to play.

– Some of the kids on other teams were “winners,” but just look like a player in their pictures… 

– Here is the point: Paul is trying to teach the Corinthians “the fundamentals” of salvation. 

– They need to be prepared to share the gospel and answer basic questions of the faith… and they can’t rely on the “franchise player” to do everything… they need to know how to get in the game!

– Questions like, “What does it mean to be saved?”, or, “Why is Jesus important?” These are foundations to build on, to eventually speak on more complex ideas of Christianity… you can default to the basics and still be on solid ground…

– The Apostle Paul teaches them that, fundamentally, salvation through Jesus Christ necessitates two things: regeneration and reconciliation.

1. Regeneration.

– 2 Cor 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

– In biology, regeneration refers to the process of growing new cells and tissue to replace damaged ones, even whole limbs or organs. Different than simply a wound healing, which is mostly scar tissue.

– Not a damaged soul held together by scar tissue. Not Christianity as a bandage to hide the broken…

– Not a reconditioned “like new” creature… Not a Christian version of what you were before… NEW. 

– Example: Not a knock-off designed to look like a Christian. Not Chrysler 300 with a Bentley grill…

– The renewed man acts from new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company.

– Needing to be regenerated, renewed, forgiven of sin, becoming new… is fundamental to salvation.

– Romans 3:23-24, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 

– Gal. 2:20-21, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

– Eph 4:22-24, that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

– Romans 6:1-4, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

– It is clear from scripture that salvation includes being renewed, no longer “being the same person with simply a new name or image attached.” New on the inside!

2. Reconciliation.

– To reconcile: To make two different beliefs, ideas, situations, agree and come into alignment. If it needs to be reconciled, that means it is currently broken and dysfunctional. 

– 2 Cor 5:18-19, Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

– Paul is saying that God has fixed his broken relationship by using Jesus as the remedy. Jesus died on the cross to forgive sin, now Paul can be in relationship with God.

– Paul has been given the “ministry of reconciliation”, meaning his goal and purpose in ministry is to share this truth: Jesus is the way of salvation, so we all can be reconciled to God, too.

– We were an offense to God. In the OT, blood sacrifices were to atone for sin, but Jesus is that final blood sacrifice to atone for OUR sin. Reconciliation is now possible through the cross…

– Romans 5:8-11, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

– 1 Tim 2:5-6, For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all….

3. Focus on the Fundamentals.

– It is easy to get overwhelmed with the amount there is to learn from the Bible. As Christians, we want to apply it all to our lives, but can get stuck trying to find where to start in “real life.”

– Example: The MVC drill, very ambitious and overwhelming, I encouraged them to take a mental breath and focus on the basics… Problems, Priorities, Resources… everything to save a life…

– Gets you refocused, back on task, and makes you more effective… (not scattered/overwhelmed)

– 2 Cor. 5:20-21, Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

* This is the gospel!

– Be reconciled: You are a sinner who needs a Savior… Jesus is that Savior. You can’t fix the fracture, only Jesus’ blood shed on the cross can do it. Jesus can forgive your sins. You must be made new…

– Eph 2:8-10, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

– We are saved by GRACE alone, Through FAITH alone, in CHRIST JESUS alone. 

– What does it mean to be saved? It means you have accepted that sin separates you from God and makes you dead inside. You must be reconciled to God. That happens through Jesus’ death on the cross. You are made new, and now are in relationship with God, through Jesus. Saved from the consequence of sin. Saved from death…

– Why is Jesus important? He is the only means by which we can be reconciled to God, and saved from spiritual death…

– Like Paul said in Verse 20, you and I are now ambassadors on Christ’s behalf! You now have the responsibility and obligation to teach others about being reconciled (the gospel).

* You are responsible for knowing and sharing at least 2 things: Your testimony, and the gospel. The gospel, so others can be saved. Your testimony is your proof that it works. 

– 1 Peter 3:15-16, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

– 2 Tim 2:15, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

– You can’t just say it, you have to live it. It’s not enough to be on the team or wear the jersey, you need to know how to play the game. Don’t look for someone else to do it. YOU DO IT!

– prayer –