Reconciliation
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