October 1, 2023

Reconciliation

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 5:6-11
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Job asked 'how can a man before just before God'?
  • Example of Vision of Hope
    • The answer - Jesus Christ
    • Pride is often the worst sin
      • Jesus often addressed the religious (not the man in the street)
      • Jesus had come for sinners
  • This evening looking at "reconciliation"
    • 2 times in Romans
    • 4 times in 2 Cor 5:18-21
    • People were enemies of God becoming friends with God
    • Having peace with God in Jesus Christ
    • Only in hrist
  • Overview:
    • The need for reconciliation
    • The provision of reconciliation
    • The ministry of reconciliation

The Need for Reconciliation

  • People do not feel the need to believe in Jesus
    • People feel they can do life by themselves
  • People do not understand sin
    • People acknowledge selfishness
    • Often people try to be self-sufficient
  • Sinners need to be exposed to the law of God
    • Examples from the Ten Commandments
    • We begin to acknowledge that we are law breakers and we know guilt
      • Some try to patch over this with religion - examples
      • For others it is morality - examples
    • Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
    • Example of the Apostle Paul
  • The word reconciliation presupposes alienation and enmity
    • Example of marriage and society
  • The Bible speaks of us having to be reconciled to God
    • God is pure and holy
    • We have estranged ourselves from God
      • Through Adam's original sin
      • He and us are cut off from God
      • He and us are under the curse of death
    • We cannot save ourselves
      • Reconciliation is of God - Rom 5, 2 Cor 5:18-21
      • Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
      • We cannot cleanse ourselves for communion
      • Song from Augustus Toplady
  • Do you depend entirely upon Jesus?

The Provision of Reconciliation

  • Jesus Christ is the provision
  • Reading v18-20
  • There is only one mediator between God and man - Christ Jesus
    • We need a Second Adam to represent us
    • One who is holy and undefiled, innocent and pure
    • Jesus is our representative
    • He led a sinless life - obedient to the law of God
    • We have the God man
  • v21 - Jesus became sin for us
    • Ours sins were placed on Jesus
      • He was not a sinner
    • Yet He was treated on the cross as though He were a sinner
      • Jesus bore our sin
      • Jesus became a curse for us
      • Jesus bore the wrath of God
    • Jesus was punished for our sin
      • Sin must be punished - either by ourselves in hell or forgiven in Jesus Christ
  • Justification - we are made righteous in Christ
    • Treated as though we were holy
    • Treated as though the life of Jesus Christ was ours - His spotless sinless life
    • We are treated as righteous
  • All is through Jesus Christ
    • Have you availed yourself of this provision?
    • Have you cast yourself upon Jesus?

The Ministry of Reconciliation

  • Symbols of service
    • To live a life worthy of God
    • To attract sinners to Christ
    • To walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ
      • To do the good works prepared in advance
    • To call others to Christ - a ministry of reonciliation
      • How will others know about Christ without our speaking?
    • A word of reconciliation (v19)
      • The message of the cross - it does sinners good
    • Ambassadors of Christ (v20)
  • People in church - be reconciled to God
    • 6:2 - now is the day of salvation
    • Tonight - you can be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus
  • Let us be faithful to this ministry of reconciliation
    • It results in a blessed and wonderful life
    • Song - Stayed upon Jehovah
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