Key Words In The Christian Life: 'reconciliation'

Key Words in the Christian Life: Reconciliation

Reading: 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verses 17-21.

SERMON OUTLINE:

A Definition.

A New Creature (17)

A New Purpose (18-20)

A New Relationship (21)

SERMON BODY

Ill:

• One of the most famous works in the history of art,

• Is Michelangelo’s fresco of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel,

• At least 25,000 visitors a day,

• Walk into this chapel to marvel at the masterpiece on the ceiling.

• In 1512, when Michelangelo finally completed the fresco of the ceiling,

• The cardinals responsible for the care of the Chapel,

• Stayed for hours admiring and studying the magnificent fresco.

• After the scrutinising it for hour upon hour,

• They met with Michelangelo and, surprisingly, told him to, “Do it again!”

• Well, you will be glad to know that it was not the whole ceiling,

• Which had taken 4 years,

• But just one detail that apparently upset them.

• Michelangelo had drawn the panel of the creation of man,

• With the fingers of God and Adam, touching each other.

• The cardinals wanted that there should be no touch,

• The fingers must be kept separate and more,

• The finger of God should always be at the top,

• A simple detail but with an interesting meaning:

• God is there, but the decision to seek him depends on man.

• If he wants, he will stretch out his finger, touch it,

• But if he wills, he can spend a life without looking to connect with God.

• Adam’s unconnected finger represents mankind’s free will.

• Source: Rupnik, Marko Ivan, Art as an Expression of Liturgical Life,

• Brasilia, CNBB Editions, 2019. p145

• TRANSITION:

• The message of the Bible is one of reconciliation:

• The main reason Jesus Christ entered his own creation,

• Was to die on a cross!

• Don’t miss that point.

• Jesu was not just another prophet or messenger,

• He was and is the saviour of the world.

• Even his name describes his mission,

• The name Yehoshua means "Yahweh is salvation" or "The LORD saves."

The main reason Jesus Christ entered his own creation,

• Was to die on a cross!

• The death of Jesus built bridges across apparently unbridgeable gaps.

• Between a holy God and sinful people.

Question: What is the biggest bridge in the UK?

Answer:

• You might be surprised to know that it is not, London’s Tower Bridge.

• It is not, the Clifton Suspension Bridge or The Humber bridge.

• Not even the Forth bridge or the Infinity bridge.

• The UK's longest bridge is in Birmingham, it is called, the Bromford viaduct,

• Which covers a total distance of 3.5-mile (5.6km).

• It carries road traffic through part of the M6 between Castle Bromwich and Gravelly Hill,

• And was a feature of the original Spaghetti Junction.

• TRANSITION:

• A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle,

• (such as a body of water, valley, road, or railway) without blocking the path underneath.

• The death of Jesus bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful people.

• Jesus took our sin and guilt upon himself at the cross,

• In exchange he gives to us his righteousness,

• So that we stand complete in him!

• Therefore, there is in Christ no separation from God,

• We are reconciled through his death on the cross.

(1). A Definition: reconciliation.

Question: What is reconciliation?

Answer: In Reconciliation - enemies become friends.

Quote: The word: Reconcile (apokatallaso) means:

“To totally, thoroughly, and completely change one’s state and standing.

from enmity to friendship”.

Ill:

• In St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

• Stands what is known as the "Door of Reconciliation".

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/mflTUcZdNgY?si=C7N4mL01Rduoefjq

• Back in 1492 this door was all that separated two feuding Irish families.

• As the Butlers of Ormon? sought sanctuary horn the Fitzgeralds of Kildare.

• Realizing that the fighting had been getting out of control,

• Gerald Fitzgerald pleaded with "Black James" Butler to accept a truce.

• But suspecting treachery,

• Black James refused to open the door.

• In response Gerald proceeded to hack a hole in the door.

• And then thrust his arm through as a pledge of his goodwill.

• It was a daring gesture as Gerald risked his arm being hacked off,

• Instead, Butler took his hand and peace was restored.

• The door was opened, and the feuding families were reconciled.

• From that incident comes the expression; ‘To chance your arm’.

• These two families went from “enmity to friendship”.

• Their relationship was changed and transformed.

• TRANSITION:

• Reconciliation is a changing for the better.

• A relationship between two or more persons.