When a person first comes to Christ, it seems natural to tell others about the experience. The excitement of knowing God’s forgiveness and coming into contact with the grace of God leads the new believer to share the gospel almost indiscriminately. But as believers move further from their life-altering conversion, hesitation sets in. Christians begin to doubt the effectiveness of their witness and can even be fearful of the consequences of evangelism. The Apostle Paul wants to remind Christians that the Lord has a message for the lost world: be reconciled! He also tells us that the messengers for that message are those who have been saved by God’s grace. The good news of the gospel is that our sin was put on Christ, and His righteousness is put on us, all by the mercy and grace of God. That is “God’s Appeal in Christ” that we bring to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

I. God’s Appeal to Sinners
A. The Message
B. The Messenger

II. God’s Salvation of Sinners
A. Our Sin Put on Christ
B. Christ’s Righteousness Put on Us

Questions for consideration: (1) Why is it important for you to “regard no one according to the flesh?” What does that mean for everyday interactions? (2) In what ways do you recognize that God has made you a new creation in Christ? (3) How does Jesus reconcile us to God?