Jan 18, 2026

Pastor Marco Ambriz

Our sermon series, “All Things New,” explores how God brings new life and invites us to see things differently. 

Using the example of Alpha Centura, a star once thought to be one but revealed to be three through advanced telescopes, the message emphasizes the need for a new lens to see God, ourselves, and others more clearly. This new perspective, rooted in the resurrection of Christ and the concept of reconciliation, transforms our understanding of Jesus and our relationship with God.

The Scripture text explores the concept of reconciliation, emphasizing that God has reconciled us to Godself through Christ. It challenges the notion of God as angry and wrathful, suggesting instead that God’s love is the driving force behind the incarnation. The text encourages a reevaluation of our understanding of God and ourselves, urging us to see God’s love as greater and more amazing than we can imagine.

The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel, encouraging believers to see themselves and others through a new lens. It challenges the common self-identification as “sinners,” highlighting that through Christ, believers are new creations, forgiven and loved. The sermon also calls for a new vision for others, urging believers to see them through God’s eyes, fostering a beloved community built on love and unity.

The call to love, as taught by Jesus, transcends all categories and requires seeing everyone, even enemies, as made in God’s image. The church is called to be a vehicle of God’s love, challenging dehumanizing forces in the world and embracing a transformative vision of God and humanity. This vision empowers believers to stand up for justice and truth, protecting vulnerable neighbors while recognizing the inherent worth of every person.

2 Corinthians 5 - The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. 

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given 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 the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Key Points

• New Perspective on Jesus: Believers no longer see Jesus through a human lens but through a new perspective brought about by the resurrection.

• Reconciliation through Christ: God reconciled humanity to Himself through Christ, not counting their sins against them.

• Ministry of Reconciliation: Believers are entrusted with the message of reconciliation, sharing the new creation made possible through Christ.

• Gospel’s Transformative Power: The gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful and continues to work in the lives of believers, fueling their ongoing walk with God.

• New Lens for Seeing Others: A call to develop a new lens for seeing others, centered on Jesus Christ.

• New Vision from God: God offers a gift of seeing people in a new light, through God’s eyes.

• Transformation of Vision: A continuous adjustment and refocusing on seeing others as God sees them.

• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy: Remembering MLK’s powerful work for healing, equality, and treating people as equals.

• Beloved Community Vision: Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for the concept of the “beloved community,” an ideal of a society where everyone is treated with love, respect, and dignity.

• Beyond Eradicating Racism: Eradicating racism is essential but not sufficient to achieve the beloved community. It requires active efforts to build a society based on love and unity.

• Power of Love and Hate: Love is a creative and unifying force, while hate is destructive. Physical force can only repress and destroy, not create lasting positive change.

• Power of Love: Love is the greatest force, capable of creation and redemption, surpassing the power of physical force.

• Love for Enemies: Loving one’s enemies, as taught by Jesus, requires extending love to all people, regardless of differences or feelings.

• Transformation through Love: Embracing Jesus’ call to love one another radically is transformative, challenging societal norms that dehumanize and divide.

• God’s Call to the Church: God is calling the church to be the vehicle of God’s love for the world.