The Birds Don’t Stop Singing
March 8, 2026
Preached by Jeff Clark
Discussion Questions
As you long for heaven, have you been living more like the sleeping bears who are in hibernation–waiting out the suffering of this life? Or are you more like the birds who carry the good news that spring is coming?
When we face doubts about whether God actually loves us or if he will actually forgive us for what we’ve done, how does the reminder that you have a new heart and a new identity encourage you?
Who is that one person in your life that you need to pray for and share the good news with? What about coworkers, neighbors, extended family, or other people in your relational sphere?
Does the fear of not having the right answers hold you back? Does the fear of what others might think hold you back?
Does the reminder of the love that Christ showed you through great cost that was paid on the cross “control you” (as it says in verse 14)?
Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is 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 controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
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.17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 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. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore 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.
With the warmer weather coming and what feels like spring right around the corner, it reminds me of how much I really don’t like winter. Because of this, I have this lifelong dream of being a snow bird and living in the warm weather all year long. But since that’s just a dream, maybe a better option is to hibernate the whole winter season like a bear. I mean, who doesn’t like being all warm and cozy?
It reminds me of a book that we read to our daughter.
–– It’s Spring! ––
Like bears in winter, we long for brighter days.
Last week Pastor Benjamin reminded us of the beautiful promise of the last announcement of spring that we have to look forward to. If we are in Christ, one day we will be resurrected into a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more suffering––and hopefully no more winter. And as Christians, if we’re being honest, the groaning in our hearts is asking the question: “are we there yet?”
It makes us wonder about our purpose here on earth. When we place our faith in Jesus, why doesn’t God immediately pluck us up from this world and welcome us to heaven? If God loves us so much, then why not promptly relieve us from the suffering of this life? We may have 5 years or 50 years left in this life, but why are we even here at all? Is it simply to suffer until we enter into heaven?
With the promise of eternal rest in heaven, we are tempted to treat this life like a season of hibernation. We act like bears waiting for the birds to announce that heaven is finally here. We hunker down, endure the winter months, and waste our days on earth away as if they are without purpose.
But that’s not how God wants us to live. When we open this passage feeling stuck in a body that is not our eternal home and longing for a glorious eternal body, we are met with good news––this life has a purpose.
Paul encourages us to not be “spiritually sleepy” like the bears who hunker down and wait out the suffering, instead we are to be like the birds who deliver the good news… but not just when it’s the first day of spring––but every day until the final spring when the earth is recreated. It says in verse 20 that we are to be ambassadors who deliver the good news on behalf of the king. That’s our purpose.
If you don’t already have your Bibles open in front of you, I invite you to open one of the Bibles in the pew in front of you and leave it open as I’ll be referencing it frequently.
Our passage tells us about this great purpose to be ambassadors in two parts:
To Know God and To Make Him Known.
We can see this in the first words of our passage. Look with me at verse 11.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.
This is Paul’s summary statement for this section, and it’s exactly how we’re going to approach the passage today: To Know God and To Make Him Known.
1. To Know God
With that in mind, let’s dive into the first part of our purpose here on earth: To Know God.
If we are to be ambassadors, we first need to know the one who is sending the message. But how can we possibly claim to know God–the creator of the universe–himself? If we are honest with ourselves, we can see that the brokenness that we’re hunkering down away from actually starts within the hearts of each of us.
At the very beginning of human history, in the garden, we were in a perfect relationship with God. We could talk with him and even walk with him. But after we sinned, we’ve fallen so far from his holiness. The separation that we have created between us and God is too great for us to make right. As a sinful people, how can we ever have a relationship with a God who is so much holier than we are?
If God is like a king of a prosperous nation, then we are like a commoner who has been exiled for having an incurable disease. How could we possibly hope to be amongst the common people again? How could we hope to befriend the king? We’re so far below the king and so broken that we have no ability to earn our way into the king’s presence.
But that’s where the good news of this passage meets us. Look with me in the middle of our passage at verses 17-19.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 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.
The king has stepped down from his throne room, walked the streets of the city, found the diseased and exiled commoner in the dirtiest alleyway and he gives us the medicine for the disease that we didn’t know was curable. He makes us a new creation.
New Creation
The language of our ESV translation in verse 17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” However, this verse more literally translated from Greek says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ–new creation.” That’s abrupt.
The abruptness of this verse gives us similar imagery to the creation account. What happens when God speaks? Creation explodes into existence. When God speaks, his power is unleashed and galaxies are formed.
In the New Testament, we learn that Christ was there at creation, we’re told that,
2 He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1)
16 … all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16)
It was through Christ that the worlds were formed. In that same way, when we are “in Christ” (v 17), God speaks his Spirit into us and a new creation is formed within us. God speaks––and we’re given a new heart and a new identity.
Paul even says: “Behold, the new has come.” This isn’t a common word we use… behold. He’s almost saying, “take a step back and stand in wonder, you’ve been made into a new creation.” … “it is good.”
This is the biography of every Christian. In Christ, we are a new creation. It changes everything about us. I mentioned we receive a new heart and a new identity, let’s take a deeper look at what that means.
New heart
As a new creation, we receive a new heart. Notice that this new creation is not delayed. This verse speaks of this occurring in the past tense. “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” It’s abrupt, he has made us a new creation now. This transformation happens when we give the Lord our heart and let him transform us. When we give the Lord our heart, he takes our heart of stone and makes it into a heart of flesh.
God doesn’t want people who are perfect rule followers who love themselves. No, he wants the messy and broken version of you who is willing to surrender your heart to him. This initial transformation leads to an ongoing transformation that takes place from the inside-out. When God gives us new hearts, we begin to hesitate when faced with temptations because we don’t want to forsake the love we have. It’s not that when we become Christians our new purpose is to “have to follow the king’s strict orders.” No, instead when we become Christians, it’s our love for Jesus–and all that he’s done to rescue us–that leads us to obedience.
New identity
As a new creation, we receive a new identity. As those who were once exiled, we’ve now been welcomed into the royal family. This new identity cannot be taken from us—even when we feel the heavy weight of sin pressing on us, or when we feel like we’re so far from God that he could never love us again, or when we think he will never forgive us for what we’ve done. This new identity we’ve been given cannot be un-done. Because this isn’t based on what you’ve done or how that makes you feel, it’s because of what God has done and who God declares you to be.
When we face these doubts, we can be reminded of our identity in Christ from Galatians 2:20,
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live,
but Christ who lives in me.
When we are made into a new creation, we are given a new identity. Our new identity says that we are:
No longer slaves, but now in Christ–free.
No longer lost, but in Christ–found.
No longer broken, but in Christ–healed.
No longer condemned, but in Christ–righteous.
No longer in darkness, but in Christ–in the light.
No longer separated, but in Christ–joined together.
No longer chained by fear, but in Christ–bold in the Spirit.
We are no longer dead in our trespasses and sins; but God, made us into a new creation and we are now alive in Christ.
All This is From God
As it says in verse 18, “All this is from God.” We can rest assured because even though we were a commoner with an incurable disease, we’ve been healed by the grace of a king who stepped down from his holy throne and came to our rescue.
He is the one who has done this. It’s God alone that rescues sinners. God is the one who intervenes into a life that is dead in their trespasses. God is the reconciler, and we are the ones who are being reconciled to him. We didn’t meet God halfway. No matter how hard we may try to clean ourselves up, our efforts are always in vain. Our relationship with the king was divided and the chasm was too great for us to mend. He’s far too holy and we are far too sinful.
Justification
In order to accomplish this God did not bend the rules of justice, rather he held to perfect justice. In the middle of verse 19, it says “…not counting their trespasses against them…” That does not mean that the sins we commit go ignored by God. He doesn’t turn a blind eye to our sinfulness. Rather, when it says our sins weren’t counted against us it’s because they were counted against Jesus. Read vv 20-21 again.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you [beg you, plead with 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.
Forgiveness in any relationship has a cost associated with it. That’s why Jesus took the punishment for our sinfulness so that we could be made righteous and our relationship to God could be reconciled. The great divide between us and God has now been closed.
Reconciled to God
The beautiful thing is that once we place our faith in Christ, we don’t have to wait until heaven to experience the benefits of this new creation. If our new creation is immediate, we get to experience a restored relationship with Christ in this lifetime. Which means in the midst of our suffering and longing—we don’t have to hunker down—we can find our contentment in the Lord now. We don’t have to wait to receive that. God has given you purpose in this lifetime––To Know Him.
If you haven’t placed your faith in Christ, I invite you to consider your need for reconciliation to God. Consider what it would look like to receive a new heart and a new identity in Christ. Recognize that the divide we created cannot be fixed through your own efforts. Instead, accept that you’re broken, surrender your heart to Christ, and receive the grace that God offers you through the cross.
The king has gone to great lengths to save you from your exile. But he has more in mind for you. He not only makes us a new creation, but he also gives us a special position in the king’s court. We have gone from exiled to reconciled, from rags to riches, and now to ambassadors of the king. It’s out of this overflow of the grace that was lavished on us that we accept the task of being an ambassador and carrying this message of hope.
2. To Make Him Known
This leads us to the second part of our purpose here on earth. To Make Him Known.
Though in this lifetime we are mere jars of clay, fragile and broken, the message that we carry is a treasure. No matter how much we give this treasure away, its value does not diminish–nor is the storehouse depleted. In fact, the more we give away this treasure, the more valuable it becomes and the more it multiplies.
Let’s jump back up to the top of our passage and take a look at Paul’s instructions on how to be ambassadors. As we do, I’ll remind you of the context of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. This is his second letter to the Corinthians and in between his two letters, people in Corinth have been questioning Paul’s ministry. That’s why you may notice his tone may sound a bit defensive. The reason is because Paul knew his purpose here on earth.
Pick up with me in verse 11.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. [Paul is pleading with them saying: “I hope you can see my real intentions, certainly God knows the real me…] 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is 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. [Paul is again defending himself against the critics who have been saying that he is crazy (or out of his mind).] 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Paul makes our purpose in life clear in verse 15. Those who are alive in Christ “no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
Also in this section, Paul is drawing out arguments for the defense of his ministry. At the time in Corinth, the popular “super apostles” were false teachers who would put on flashy performances in order to woo people into belief. He is pushing back against the critics who say that his ministry is underwhelming and that he needs to conform to the popular preaching styles at that time.
In his defense, (1) we see that he is refusing to let his own image and reputation be a barrier for the message being delivered. In his response throughout these verses, he’s using the language of “we” and not “I” which is his way of using this as a teaching opportunity. He’s saying this is the type of thing that “we” do. “We” do not boast about our outward appearance, instead “we” boast about what is in the heart. Paul is saying no to the temptation to let his own self interests of protecting, or perhaps pampering, his ego tamper with the message of the gospel. By using “we” language, he’s encouraging the people in Corinth to do the same.
(2) We also see Paul’s refusal to make the message of Jesus “easier to believe” in his response to people saying that he is out of his mind. Because his message of Christ is so radical, it is hard for people to believe––Jesus, the man, is also God? And even so, he doesn’t change the message to win more people over. If he changes the message, he’s not winning people over for God, he’s winning people over for Paul. He’s saying, “If you think I’m crazy, that’s okay–it’s God’s message. If you think I’m in my right mind, then this message from God is good news for you.” Paul is not backing down, he’s even delivering the message to the skeptics who call him crazy. Again, we see Paul is willing to set his ego to the side and endure the potential of mockery in order to ensure that the message is delivered to everyone.
How is his confidence so unwavering when his reputation is on the line? Because Paul knew his purpose. To Know God and To Make Him Known.
14 For the love of Christ controls us…
How is he so confident? The love of Christ for Paul has such an influence on him that it controls his actions. Paul knew that this life was not to be seen as a season of hibernation. Paul’s purpose in life was controlled by the love of Christ and it was his mission to sing like the birds and Make Him Known.
The words “controls us” can also be translated as “compels us” or “guides us” or “pressures us”. Think of it like this. The love of Christ causes a spring of water to bubble up from within us. This outpouring of water flows into a river that sends us out and the river’s banks are our guide. All of this is because of Christ’s love for us. Christ’s love is what began the spring, Christ’s love is what guides the river on its course, and Christ’s love is the very message that the river is carrying.
That is why Paul is unwilling to tamper with the message. It’s not his message, it’s from start to finish all about Christ.
This radically changes the way that Paul sees other people. Look again at verse 16.
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.
Here we can see another aspect of our new creation. We receive not only a new heart and a new identity, but we also receive new eyes. No longer do we see people according to their flesh, but according to their spirit. If we regard Christ only as a man and ignore the fact that he’s God, we would think he’s crazy too. But if we see Christ as God, we see him for who he really is. In that same way, when we look at others we should not limit them to their flesh alone. We should see others as those who have souls that need to hear the good news of Jesus.
For those of us who were once exiled for our sinfulness, we should not judge others for their sinfulness, instead we should be moved to compassion by their brokenness and share with them the message that saved us from our brokenness.
Application
Practically then, what does this look like? How can we be ambassadors for Christ? Our first church goal for 2026 is to win souls. How do we do that?
I want to offer you two encouragements.
First, be in prayer. Remember it’s God who raises the dead. In order for any of our words to reach deep into the hearts of others, we must rely on God and ask him to wake people from their spiritual slumber. Don’t just pray broadly that more people will come to faith in Jesus. Be specific. Pick that one person that you know that doesn’t know the Lord and pray for that one person. Keep praying for that one person.
Another way to be specific is to pray for your coworkers, your neighbors, your extended family member, or whoever you know in your primary relational sphere of influence that doesn’t know the Lord. Name specific people in your prayers to God. See people not according to their flesh, but according to their spirit and plead with God on their behalf to rescue them.
Second encouragement, use your words. Let me remind you of the language used in our passage: God is “entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (v 19) and “we persuade others” (v 11). The command here is for you to speak. Be like the birds who sing about spring loud enough to wake the sleepy bears.
That one person you thought of earlier? Talk with that one person. The neighbor or coworker you’ve been praying for? Invite them over for dinner. Tell them about the grace that you’ve experienced and the love that transformed your life. Continue to share from your heart.
But you might be thinking, “I’m not qualified to persuade other people, I don’t know every answer to every argument… didn’t anyone ever tell you not to poke the bear?” Remember our example from Paul, we don’t need to put on a show when we deliver the message. The testimony of the message speaks for itself. Simply be willing to share with others the love that you’ve experienced. You don’t need to have a fancy testimony either, because it’s not about you! Tell them about the gracious king who stepped down from heaven and healed you. Tell of the hope that you now have because of what he’s done for you.
Don’t let the fear of not having the right answers hold you back, instead see it as an opportunity. When someone asks a hard question, it gives you the opportunity to say, “Hey, I really don’t know but I am certain that the Lord cares about this and speaks about it in his word, can we explore this together and find an answer?” What an opportunity we have to testify about God and the truth of the Bible. Like Paul, you need to be willing to set aside your ego and simply speak the message from your heart.
This message has been convicting to me as I have prepared it because as much as my heart longs for the lost to be saved, I have regrets about not praying enough. I’ve also been deceived by my own comfort and believed that my actions would speak louder than my words when I should not have been using my words for the past decade.
Conclusion
As I conclude, I want to take a moment to ask you to reflect with me. As you long for heaven, have you been living more like the sleeping bears who are in hibernation–waiting out the suffering of this life? Or are you more like the birds who carry the good news that spring is coming?
What if Jesus had taken the approach we often do of: “their spiritual condition is not my problem”? What would have happened if Jesus was too warm and settled in his comfy bear cave in heaven and felt it was too much work to come to our spiritual rescue?
Instead, he stepped down from heaven, took on human form, and humbled himself. He endured the suffering of this world, even to the point of death on a cross, in order that he might win you back to himself.
Jesus is our perfect example of what it means to live out the work of an ambassador. Jesus came from the highest of highs in heaven and stooped to the lowest of lows on earth–for you. Let the reminder of the good news we have in Jesus encourage you to sing like the birds.
To some sleepy bears, the sound of birds singing is an annoying sound; while to others, they hear a beautiful melody. Regardless of what the bear hears––the birds don’t stop singing.
Because the birds know something that the bears don’t know yet: just outside of their cave there is light and warmth and joy waiting for them. They need to hear this message. Deep down, it’s what the bear longs for. Even if you can’t sing the melody perfectly, don’t stop singing about the life transformation that you’ve experienced because of Jesus.
I’ll invite you to pray with me, and as we do so I’ll invite the worship team back up…
