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2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled (state of agreement in deeds and goals) us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation
Reconciled - kat-al-las'-so to change mutually, to establish a close relationship, to settle or resolve, to make compatible and consistent Ministry- diakonia attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate): - (ad-) minister (-ing, - tration, -try), office, relief, service (-ing).
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Adam Clarke explained that the grand object of the Gospel is to make a complete change in men’s minds and manners;
We are given the ministry of change,
Changing peoples lives the change of the whole man. A new heart, and a new mind, the Lord saith, I will give you, and a right spirit I will put within you, Eze 36:26.
Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

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God created all of us for human connection, God is not enough!!!!
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Man is incomplete with God alone.
An important aspect of this relationship is that there was no “brokenness” in either Adam and Eve’s relationship w/ God or in their relationship w/ each other. They were naked and not ashamed. They were bare hiding nothing and no shame. There was no fighting and no bickering.
There was harmony and vulnerability in the garden. This is called a state of intimacy where people are known at deep levels and do not hide their vunerability from one another and are unashamed of who they are before each other.
(Tit 3:1) Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
(Tit 3:2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
(Tit 3:3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
(Tit 3:4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
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(Tit 3:5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
regeneration – paliggenesia (spiritual) rebirth that is, spiritual renovation;
It is a restoration of a former state. That which was lost by sin is restored by regeneration
When we are not authentic/real we become like adam and eve try to be like god but move away from God. There is power in being who God intended you to be. Ex. Singers who cant sing
Paul said in Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Wicked - pon-ay-ros' hurtful, that is, evil figuratively calamitous; also (passively) ill, that is, diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, that is, derelict,
they were not fulfilled with God’s plan but they wanted something that they were not blessed with.
Their intimacy vulnerability innocence and ability to trust one another was lost. Now there is alienation now there is blame now there is death. Adam and eve became judgmental and lived by their own rules.
They tried to become their own source. They tried to control things that they were not supposed to . When we try to become

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God we lose our real self. And we lose the ability to become what He intended
A controlling spirit many times is birthed out of pride but is preserved by fear.
You and I are not supposed to be God. Adam and Eve listened to the wrong voice and decided that God’s design was not for them and reversed the entire creative order. Satan told them that they woud not die if they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
In fact they would have a better life if they rebelled against God. They would become like God, they could ascend higher on their own strength, mind, will, abilities, and talents apart from God.
In trying to do their rebellious will they loss who they really were to be, and fell away from God. They did not just lose themselves, now there is alienation between God and each other. Instantly there was shame and vulnerability and intimacy was lost.
We like they reverse the order of creation. God was to be our provider and source of life but we also believe that if we do it our way it will be better.
In trying to control our destiny we lose control, we stop growing spiritually and replace growing, other areas like money, job, position etc.
Adam and Eve did not know how significant their disobedience to God’s plan would b in their lives.
Growing as a leader entails being healthy within. It is healthy to
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admit at times you are afraid, you feel alone, you feel like a fake, you do not have the answer, you are weak.
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Destitute weak
These are humble and thirst after Jesus.
When we can regain our humanity and our weakness we regain lost power and begin to realize what Paul was writing about
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Whenever you work with people there is going to be at times pain associated with your work.
Don’t deny your pain, don’t fool yourself into believing you do no longer need to be connected. Stay connected don’t isolate yourself. Don’t be afraid of your dependency on others.
When Jesus was hurting in the garden Jesus turned to friends and admitted my soul is overwhelmed w/ sorrow to the point of death stay here and watch w/ me. Even Jesus di not detach but admitted his need for support and emotional dependency.
Also when we are hurt by someone elses malicious words or
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actions and we retaliate we justify their bad behavior. Too often when someone hurts us we lose control of our emotions and we give power to the perpetrator or abuser this only makes them stronger.
Too often we get stuck in the pain and relive it over and over. And we surrender our destiny to the past.
2 hard lessons I learned
1. Not everyone likes me
2. Not everyone wants to or will change
We have a tendency to turn from God and others when we are in pain and externalize our problems e.g. people/keeps hurting me. This allows us to avoid the hard work that is done internally
God uses positive and negative interactions w/people to help us to grow.
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
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another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God.
1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as
the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
2Co 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
We grow by our connectedness to God and his mature good people
Heb 12:11 Now no chastening (discipline) for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves
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together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
