2 Corinthians 5:1-20 | Eric Tomlin | August 2, 2026
2 Corinthians 5:1-20
Verse 16 “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though
we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer”
I. Why do we no longer regard anyone according to the flesh?
1- People are made in the image of God and are crowned with glory-
Genesis 1:26-28 & Psalm 8:3-5
2- No one can ever be right with God based on their own efforts from the flesh
John 6:63
3- Everyone will live forever- either with God or separated from God
Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46
Verse 17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed
away; behold, the new has come.”
II. What is a new creation, and what is meant by the old passing away and the new has
come?
1- A Christ-follower is not simply a “better version” of who they were previously
Ephesians 2:4-7
2- Although we inhabit the same body as we did before, the Spirit enables us to live free from
bondage to sin
Galatians 5:16-18
3- The inward spiritual life of a believer is marked by visible spiritual fruit
Galatians 5:22-23
Verses 18-19 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave
us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to
himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of
reconciliation.”
III. What is reconciliation and why do we need it?
1- Reconciliation means that we are “at one” with God by the power of the atonement
Romans 5:8-10
2- The person found in Christ is no longer a Rebel and no longer a Debtor
Colossians 2:13
3- God has entrusted His message to His people
1 Peter 2:9
Verse 20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
IV. What is an ambassador and what is their task?
An ambassador is tasked with representing the King and they do so by proclaiming the
King’s message.
As believers who are reconciled to God, We have the message and the mission of
reconciliation.
1- We proclaim that reconciliation with God is through Jesus only
John 14:6
2- We proclaim that reconciliation is for all peoples everywhere
Romans 10:11-13
3- We must be willing to send
Romans 10:14-15
4- We profess that none of this can be done without the power of God
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Romans 12:1
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a
living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship ”
Three Reminders:
1- Not every believer is commissioned to be a missionary, but every believer must pray for the
workers among the nations!
Matthew 9:37-38
2- Not every believer is called to be a preacher, but every believer is called to be a disciple
maker!
Matthew 28:19-20
3- Not every believer can supply the field, but every believer should send the worker!
Romans 10:14-15