Release: I No Longer Live For Myself

Lesson Title: Release: I No Longer Live For Myself

📅 Date: April 6th, 2025

📖 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Elder Brian Rosette

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf. Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 

Return like the prodigal - Restoration where we begin to understand who we are and frame our lives according to the identity we have in Christ—not our past. The Release, going out into the world and doing the work. We are now being Released back into the world to work the one of Him who has sent us.

LAST WEEK RECAP -

Last week, Apostle reminded us that being born again is not the ending of things. You’re not just saved and then that’s it. There’s More!

Being born again marks a beginning. With salvation comes a mission: to be disciples of Christ.

Apostle laid out that our mission mirrors Christ’s:

1. Reveal the Truth

2. Redeem the Lost

3. Reconcile the World to God

According to Matthew 28:19-20:

“Go and make disciples of all nations,” helping people learn of Jesus, believe in Him, and obey His words.

WE ARE AMBASSADORS

Ambassadors:

- Speak on behalf of the one who sent them

- Build and maintain relationships

- Provide information and advice

- Protect the interest of their citizens

This role must be fulfilled intentionally and on purpose:

- Everyday, choose to please God first

- Share the Gospel and the love of Jesus with all men

- Represent the Kingdom of God

This requires:

- Putting aside our own agenda

- Putting aside our emotions and preferences

- Making a choice daily to go forth as Ambassadors for Christ

This choice comes with:

- Obstacles: your own thoughts and desires will challenge you

- Trouble: the enemy will attempt to hinder you

- Criticism: sometimes even from fellow believers

Still, it’s worth it.

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Some in Corinth believed Paul and his companions were irrational. From Acts 9 through 2 Corinthians 5, Paul endured much: kidnapped, beaten, threatened, arrested, shipwrecked, bitten, stoned, and more.

Despite this, Paul declares in verse 14:

“The love of Christ controls and compels us…”

Control: the power to influence, regulate, sway.

Compel: to drive or urge forcefully.

Paul says he endures because the love of Christ influences and restricts him.

Many of us are swayed by our feelings or others’ actions. But when we live for Christ, we can no longer act in our own interest. We are controlled by His love.

In order to no longer live for ourselves:

1. Our life for Christ requires FINDING AND MAINTAINING FOCUS

   - “We have concluded this: One died for all, therefore all died.” (v14-15)

2. Our life for Christ requires a CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE

   - We must take on a Godly perspective

3. Our life for Christ REQUIRES ACTION

And here’s a promise from Jesus in Matthew 28:20:

“I am with you always—regardless of circumstance—even to the end of the age.”

Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing.