Reconciliation Series

Video Introduction: “Tell Me”

You and I are literally surrounded by people who need the gospel. God has positioned each of us to proclaim His purposes and to tell them the good news because we have the greatest hope known to mankind.

Next weekend we’ll wrap up this series by focusing on the recovery God longs to bring to our lives as we celebrate the ministry of Celebrate Recovery. During the month of August, we will do a verse-by-verse study of Romans 8 called, “God is For You.” On Labor Day weekend, we’ll labor in prayer together. Then, on September 10-11, I’ll preach a message called, “The Promise of the Lord’s Return” to prepare us for the Prophecy Conference September 16-18, featuring Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Dr. Ray Pritchard, Jason Crosby, Gerad Hall, and Levi Hazen. On September 24-25, we’ll begin our fall series with an in-depth look at the first three chapters of the Book of Genesis.

Today, our focus is on another “Re” word – “reconciliation.” The word “reconciliation” means, “to restore to friendship by bringing harmony between enemies.” At its root it refers to “change, or exchange.” In Hebrew, it means “to take pleasure in.” Ancient Greeks used this word to describe two people in previous conflict who are now at peace with one another.

When reconciliation occurs between two parties, it assumes there was something wrong with the relationship in the first place. Isaiah 59:2 says our sin separates us from God: “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” Ephesians 2:3 declares unbelievers are “children of wrath” who are estranged from God.

In 2016, then Iowa Governor Terry Branstad issued a proclamation declaring the Bible as the Word of God and it should be read aloud in its entirety in all 99 counties. Here’s the beginning and the end of the proclamation: “Whereas, all Scripture is essential to prepare us to be the people God wants us to be and to accomplish the purpose for which he created us; and…regular Bible reading renews the mind of men, transforming the life of the individual which ultimately affects the lives of those in the family, the local community, the state, and the Nation.”

Governor Kim Reynolds has continued this practice and a group of believers recently met at the Scott County Courthouse for a Bible Reading Marathon. This brings back memories of what we did in our previous church when we spent 90 straight hours reading the Bible to bring in the year 2000. In that spirit, let’s stand to honor God’s Word and read a section of Scripture found in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. Listen for a form of the word “reconciliation,” which is used five times in five verses.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

We could spend weeks in this text because it is filled with deep doctrine and practical application. For our purposes today, we’ll seek to understand reconciliation so we can become reconcilers. Let me summarize the passage in a sentence: We are ministers of the message of reconciliation.

This paragraph has a natural outline to it:

• The miracle of reconciliation (17)

• The ministry of reconciliation (18)

• The message of reconciliation (19)

• The mandate of reconciliation (20)

• The model of reconciliation (21)

1. The miracle of reconciliation. Let’s begin in verse 17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” If you have been born again through the new birth, you are a brand-new person. The phrase “in Christ” indicates someone who has been saved from their sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word “new” means, “new in quality, freshly made or created.” When you are saved, you literally become someone you never were before. Think of the Apostle Paul, who went from a persecutor to a preacher.

The “old has passed away,” means the old life has “perished.” The use of “behold” is designed to call attention to this fact, “Look! Don’t miss this!” If you are saved, you have been created anew and the old stuff is abolished. Jesus said it like this in John 3:3: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The miracle of reconciliation comes from being reborn.