A GREAT RECONCILIATION—Colossians 1:19-23
Proposition: The death of Christ makes a great reconciliation with God possible so we can live a life of faith.
Objective: My purpose is to challenge the saved to appreciate this great reconciliation and to challenge the unsaved to trust Christ as Savior to bring about reconciliation with God.
Introduction:
To reconcile means to restore to a right relationship or to make peace where there was enmity. Another definition: “The restoration of friendship & fellowship after estrangement. It also means to change thoroughly from one position to another.” The Bible never speaks of God as needing to be reconciled to man, but always of man being reconciled to God. We have sinned against God & He wants us to be brot together not separated. Sin has separated us from God, but Jesus died to bring man & God together as His children. Many try to be reconciled to God in their own way.
Illus: One day an Indian engineer explaining to one standing by him that some years ago a construction crew removed the rock from the stream bed because it was in the way during some road work. When the rock was in the stream, it was just another rock. But once on dry land, people began to worship the boulder like it had come to life as a god. To really fix it up, they painted it orange and put a little face on it. They even built a roof over it. If you had been there as others, you would see great masses of people bowing down to a big orange boulder, praying, leaving money & worshipping a piece of mineral that the one true God created. It is a pitiful sight, but there are perhaps trillions of little snapshots of false god worship like that all over this fallen world. It is misplaced faith that is generated out of the darkness that is in unreconciled humanity.
Paul wrote to a group of believers in a city called Colossae since this church is being confronted with some people who are teaching false doctrine about the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it’s very important that the apostle Paul write this letter to straighten them out. They were dealing with the question, “Who is Jesus anyway?” Paul was refuting the false teachers who were denying Christ’s deity by saying, “Christ is not the Creator, the incarnation was not real and Christ is not enough.” From beginning to end He’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. Next, he answers the question, “What has Jesus done?” The heretics had denied the power of Jesus Christ to save men. Paul says that Christ is able to reconcile to bring men to God. Paul strongly affirms that there is not partial reconciliation in Christ’s death, it is complete, and through the divine act of Christ’s death, the whole work of salvation is completed. Also, he shows that Christ is preeminent in redemption. Paul turns, or rather, returns to the experience of the Colossians themselves when he says, “You yourselves are a case study of what He does in reconciliation. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in His presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted.” Paul earlier said, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.” (2 Cor. 5:19)
Illus: "If you have everything but don’t have Jesus, you have nothing. If you have nothing, but have Jesus, you have everything."
I. The Plan of Reconciliation (vvs. 19-20) “To reconcile the world to Himself”— To reconcile means to restore to a right relationship or standard, or to make peace where formerly there was enmity. The Bible never speaks of God as needing to be reconciled to man, but always of man being reconciled to God. When sin entered the world, man became estranged from God. He adopted an attitude of hostility toward God.
1. The statement “It pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell”— The phrase “all His fullness” is a technical term in the vocabulary of the Gnostic false teachers. It meant the “sum total of all the divine power and attributes.” Paul uses this term eight different times in Colossians to show the believers that Jesus is the fullness of God, and no one else. The fact that it pleased the Father to have all His fullness dwell in Christ is proof that Jesus Christ is God. John 1:16: “From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” The fullness of God dwells “in Him.” It was not around, upon, or under Him; rather it was in Him. The word “dwell” means to “take up residence” and points to the incarnation. Gnostic heretics taught that Christ was a kind of “halfway house” to God, a necessary link in the chain. But there were other, better links on ahead. “Go on from Him,” they urged, “and you will reach the fullness.” “No,” Paul answers, “Christ is Himself the complete fullness!” The best way to understand this statement is to look in 2:9 where Paul writes, “in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” In other words, the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus. The incarnation doesn’t take away deity. That’s why He is the image of the invisible God. That’s why He is the firstborn of all creation. That’s why He is the Creator of the world. That’s why He is the Sustainer of the world. That’s why He is the head of the church. That’s why He is the firstborn from the dead. ... because Jesus Christ is fully God!
2. The Source (v. 20a) “By Him to reconcile all things to Himself”-- Even though we chose to sin and disobey God, He saw our condition and was not content to simply do nothing. He was not content to leave us in the sad situation in which we found ourselves, even though we deserved it. His plan was to act in and through the Lord Jesus Christ to restore friendship and fellowship between man and God.
3. The sacrifice (v. 20b) “Having made peace through the blood of His cross” --This is the price of reconciliation. For mankind has left God and needs to be brought back to Him. Paul spoke of “the many” (i.e., “those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace”) being “made righteous” through the Cross (Rom. 5:19). To make peace through His blood means to cause God’s enemies (Rom. 5:10; Col. 1:21) to become, by faith, His friends and His children (cf. Eph. 2:11-19).
1). The manner “Having made peace”--Jesus paid the price of reconciliation. We read in John 3:16 that God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die for us. God sent Jesus to pay the price for our reconciliation. Paul states that, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God…”
2). The means “through the blood of the cross”--This is the means of reconciliation. He would pay the price through the Cross. In our text we read of His making peace through His blood shed on the Cross. This speaks of His death. The significance of His blood being shed was that His life was poured out. In other words, when Jesus hung on that Cross, He was being put to death for our sins. His death paid the penalty for our sin. He died for you and me!
Illus: Several years ago a group of Christian missionaries met in Delhi with representatives of other religions to discuss their beliefs. In the course of their talks, a member of a major non-Christian religion said to a missionary, “Tell me one thing your religion can offer the Indians that mine can’t.” The missionary thought for a moment & replied, “Forgiveness! Forgiveness!” We know that those who put their hope in Christ have full assurance that their sins are forgiven.
II. The Power of Reconciliation (v. 21) “Who once were, alienated & enemies of Your mind by wicked works”—“So you, who were once estranged from Him, and hostile in disposition as shown by your wrongdoings, He has now reconciled.”
1. The alienation (v. 21) “Once were alienated” Paul reminds the Colossians that reconciliation in their case was already an accomplished fact. Before their conversion, the Colossians had been Gentile sinners, alienated from God and enemies of His in their minds because of their wicked works (Eph, 4:17-18). They desperately needed to be reconciled, and the Lord Jesus Christ, in His matchless grace, had taken the initiative. There was a time when we were hopelessly an enemy of God. Not only were we God’s enemy, but God was our enemy. Alienated in this world – we can’t find true and lasting heart joy. People feel this.
2. The action “by wicked works” People have offended God’s law. This is where we were, who we were, formerly. But now Christ has reconciled us. How? He called us by His Spirit. He turned our heart around to embrace His loving grace & gift of friendship through the cross. That jailer said, "What must I do to be saved?" The only thing one can do - receive Christ, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ & be saved.
3. The accomplishment (v. 21c) “Yet now he has reconciled”-- Christ has changed them by the Gospel so that they are enemies no longer. God needs no change. The change must be wrought in man. Paul reminds the Colossians that reconciliation in their case was already an accomplished fact. Before their conversion, the Colossians had been Gentile sinners, alienated from God and enemies of His in their minds because of their wicked works (Eph. 4:17-18). They desperately needed to be reconciled, and the Lord Jesus Christ, in His matchless grace, had taken the initiative.
Illus: A man, not very well-educated, got his words mixed up when he spoke to his minister. He said they were having "martial problems" when he meant "marital problems." He did find out they were at war after all. Then he said, "Pastor, me and my wife need re-cancellation. He meant reconciliation. We need a re-cancellation of
our sins--sins were cancelled at the cross.
Illus: A Russian fable tells of a wealthy man & his servant, unable to reach their destination before nightfall due to a blinding blizzard. The next morning friends searched for them & finally found the master, frozen to death, face down in the snow. When they lifted him they found the servant cold but alive. He survived & told how the master had voluntarily placed himself on top of the servant so the servant could live. Max Lucado tells this story in one of his books and then adds, "Jesus is the Master who died for the servants. He is the general who made provision for his soldiers’ mistakes. He is the Son of Man who came to serve and to give His life for a ransom for you." That of course is Christ in His fullness. He has made it possible not only for us to see what God is like, He has made God accessible. He has bridged the gap between God & humanity.
III. The Purpose of Reconciliation (v. 22) “To present you holy”— Well might C. R. Erdman say: “In Christ is found a God who is near, who cares, who hears, who pities and who saves.” The full efficacy of Christ’s reconciliation with regard to His people will be seen in a coming day when we are presented to God the Father without sin, stain, or any charge against us, and when, as worshipers, we shall gladly acknowledge Christ as the Worthy One (Rev. 5).
1. The atonement (v. 22a) “In the body of His flesh through death”-- It was not by His life but by His death. The expression the body of His flesh simply means that the Lord Jesus effected reconciliation by dying on the cross in a real human body (not as a spirit being, which the Gnostics claimed Him to be). Compare Heb. 2:14-15, where Christ’s Incarnation is declared a necessity in order to effect redemption. The Gnostic concept denied this.
2. The aim (v. 22b) “to present you holy” wonderful result of this reconciliation is expressed in the words to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight. What marvelous grace, that ungodly sinners can be delivered from their past evil life and conveyed into such a realm of blessing! Well might C. R. Erdman say: “In Christ is found a God who is near, who cares, who hears, who pities and who saves.” Your holiness is the purpose of reconciliation. God desires to present us to Himself as a holy people. We are to be holy in His sight. We are to be without blemish. We are to be free from accusation. This speaks of the purpose of God in reconciliation. This is the aim of reconciliation.
3. The achievement (v. 22c) “Above reproach in His sight”-- When a judge in a court of law declares the defendant not guilty, the person is acquitted of all the accusations or charges. Legally, it is as if he or she had never been accused. When God forgives our sins, our record is wiped clean. From his perspective, it is as though we had never sinned. God’s solution is available to you. No matter what you have done or what you have been like, God’s forgiveness is for you.
IV. The Proof of Reconciliation (v. 23) “grounded & steadfast “--In seeking to answer this question, we would like to state at the outset that the eternal security of the believer is a blessed truth which is set forth in the pages of the NT.
1. A continuation “If indeed you continue” Paul shares that true faith always has the quality of permanence, & that one who has really been born of God will go on faithfully to the end. Continuance is a proof of reality. Of course there is always the danger of backsliding, but a Christian falls only to rise again (Prov._24:16). He does not forsake the faith. The Spirit of God has seen fit to put many of these so-called “if” passages in the word of God in order to challenge all who profess the name of Christ as to the reality of their profession. We would not want to say anything that might dull the sharp edge of these passages. As someone has said: “These ‘ifs’ in Scripture look on professing Christians here in the world and they come as healthy tests to the soul.”
2. A confidence “in the faith” This is the evidence of reconciliation.
Your faithfulness is the proof of reconciliation. Our text gives us the standard that we can use to judge whether or not we have been reconciled. The standard is that we continue in our faith. Their continued acceptance depends on clinging to Christ who redeemed them.
1). Evidence “grounded and steadfast”— Having an immovable foundation, so that they could not be moved by any wind of doctrine. The perseverance of the Colossians was proof of the reconciling work of Christ on their behalf.
2). Encouragement “and are not moved away from the hope of
the Gospel”-- Doubtless with the Gnostics primarily in mind, the apostle is urging the Colossians not to be moved away from the hope that accompanies the gospel, or which the gospel inspires. They should continue in the faith which they learned from Epaphras.
3). Expansion “Which was preached to every creature under
heaven”-- Paul is arguing the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel as a testimonial to its genuineness. This shows the rapid advance of the Gospel. He sees in this the evidence that it is adaptable to the needs of mankind everywhere. This verse states that every person in the world at that time had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. It was not a fact accomplished, but a process going on. Also, the Gospel had reached to all the Bible world, that is, the Mediterranean world.
3. A commission “Of which I, Paul, became a minister”
CONCLUSION: In closing, remember:
Illus: "If you have everything but don’t have Jesus, you have nothing. If you have nothing, but have Jesus, you have everything."
1. Past alienation (v. 21a)--Alienated means "estranged" from fellowship with God (Eph. 2:11-18).
2. Present reconciliation (vvs. 21b-22)--God took the initiative in His love and grace. The purpose is personal holiness, not to continue as rebels. People may have accusations to bring against us, but they cannot change our relationship with God.
3. Future glorification (v. 23)--To be grounded means we have a firm foundation and the hope of the Gospel is the blessed hope of Christ’s return (Titus 2:13).
Illus: In early part of 1900s, Japan invaded Korea and were very ruthless. They overwhelmed the Koreans with a brutality that would sicken the strongest of stomachs. Their crimes against women & children were inhuman. They oppressed Christians. When the Japanese army overpowered Korea one of the first things they did was board up the churches & eject most foreign missionaries. The conquerors started by refusing to allow churches to meet & jailing key Christian spokesmen. The "Land of the Rising Sun" spread its influence through a reign of savage brutality. Anguish filled the hearts of the oppressed. One pastor entreated the police chief for permission to meet for services. His nagging was finally accommodated, & the police chief offered to unlock his church ... for one meeting. It didn’t take long for word to travel. Committed Christians starving for an opportunity for unhindered worship quickly made their plans. Long before dawn on that promised Sunday, Korean families passed the staring eyes of their captors, but nothing was going to steal their joy.
The Korean church was a singing church. Song after song rang through the open windows. For a handful of peasants listening nearby, one of the last songs this congregation sang "Nearer My God to Thee." Yet the police chief was waiting outside giving the orders. The people toward the back of the church could hear them when they barricaded the doors, but no one realized that they had doused the church with kerosene until they smelled the smoke. This small church quickly ignited. Fumes filled the structure as flames began to lick the baseboard on the interior walls. There was an immediate rush for the windows. But momentary hope recoiled in horror as the men were climbing out as the windows, but came crashing back in -- their bodies ripped by a hail of bullets.
The good pastor knew it was the end. With a confident calm, he led his congregation in a hymn whose words served as a fitting farewell & a loving salutation to heaven. The first few words were all the prompting the terrified worshipers needed. With smoke burning their eyes, they joined as one to sing their hope & leave their legacy. Their song became a serenade to the horrified & helpless witnesses outside. Their words also tugged at the hearts of the cruel men who oversaw this flaming execution of the innocent.
Alas! and did my Savior bleed? and did my Sovereign die?
Would he devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?
Just before the roof collapsed they sang the last verse, a testimony to their faith.
But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe
Here, Lord, I give myself away ’Tis all that I can do!
At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away –
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day.
The strains of music & wails of children were lost in a roar of flames. The bodies that once housed life fused with the charred rubble of a building that once housed a church. But the souls who left singing finished their chorus in the throne room of God. Clearing the incinerated remains was the easy part. Erasing the hate would take decades. For some of the relatives of the victims, this carnage was too much. Evil had stooped to a new low, & there seemed to be no way to curb their bitter loathing of the Japanese.
In the years that followed, that bitterness was passed on to a new generation. The Japanese, although conquered, remained a hated enemy. The monument the Koreans built at the location of the fire not only memorialized the people who died, but stood as a mute reminder of their pain. Inner rest? How could rest coexist with a bitterness deep as marrow in the bones? Suffering, of course, is a part of life. People hurt people. Maybe you felt it when you came home to find that your spouse had abandoned you, or when your integrity was destroyed by a series of well-timed lies, or when your company was bled dry by a partner. It kills you inside. Bitterness clamps down on your soul like iron shackles. The Korean people who found it too hard to forgive could not enjoy the "peace that passes all understanding." Hatred choked their joy.
It wasn’t until 1972 that any hope came. A group of Japanese pastors traveling through Korea came upon the memorial. When they read the details of the tragedy & the names of the spiritual brothers & sisters who had perished, they were overcome with shame. Their country had sinned, & even though none of them were personally involved (some were not even born at the time of the tragedy), they still felt a national guilt that could not be excused. They returned to Japan committed to right a wrong. There was an immediate outpouring of love from their fellow believers. They raised ten million yen ($25,000). The money was transferred through proper channels & a beautiful white church building was erected on the sight of the tragedy. When the dedication service for the new building was held, a delegation from Japan joined the relatives & special guests.
Although their generosity was acknowledged & their attempts at making peace appreciated, the memories were still there. The Koreans’ bitterness had festered for decades. Christian brothers or not, these Japanese were descendants of a ruthless enemy. The speeches were made, the details of the tragedy recalled, & the names of the dead honored. It was time to bring the service to a close. Someone in charge thought it would be appropriate to conclude with the same two songs that were sung the day the church was burned. The song leader began the words to "Nearer My God to Thee."
But something remarkable happened as the voices mingled on the familiar melody. As the memories of the past mixed with the truth of the song, resistance started to melt. The inspiration that gave hope to a doomed collection of churchgoers in a past generation gave hope once more. The song leader closed the service with the hymn "At the Cross." The normally stoic Japanese could not contain themselves. The tears that began to fill their eyes during the song suddenly gushed from deep inside. They turned to their Korean spiritual relatives & begged them to forgive. The guarded, calloused hearts of the Koreans were not quick to surrender. But the love of the Japanese believers --not intimidated by decades of hatred -- tore at the Koreans’ emotions.
At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away ...
One Korean turned toward a Japanese brother. Then another. And then the floodgates holding back a wave of emotion let go. The Koreans met their new Japanese friends in the middle. They clung to each other & wept. Japanese tears of repentance & Korean tears of forgiveness intermingled to bathe the site of an old nightmare. Heaven had sent the gift of reconciliation to a little white church in Korea.
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