Week 11 - The Ministry of Reconciliation

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?… WE live in a polarizing society that wants us to think “the other” is the enemy.

TODAY: The Ministry of Reconciliation

Opening Scripture: 2 Cor. 5:11-21

2 Corinthians 5:18 (ESV)

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (Peace, Reconciliation)

Reconciliation is the Pauline concept in which enmity between God and humanity, or between human groups, is overcome and peaceful relations restored on the basis of the work of Christ

The Ministry of Reconciliation:

1. The Fear of God motivates the ministry of reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:10–12 (ESV)

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.

This is not being “afraid” of Him but this is being “in awe” of Him.

2. Christ’s love motivates the ministry of reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:13–15 (ESV)

13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Jesus full of “Grace and Truth” (John 1:14, 17)

This love is pictured in the death of the Christ on the Cross where he dies “instead of us all”!

All those who are “in Christ” through faith in Him.

Those “in Christ” now live by a faith-commitment to Following Him.

3. The ministry of reconciliation changes our attitude to everyone

2 Corinthians 5:16 (ESV)

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

Do not regard anyone according to a mere human point of view.

Regard all based on the death of Christ.

NT Wright: Paul uses one of his favourite phrases for this, which literally means ‘according to the flesh’; but he doesn’t mean ‘flesh’ as in ‘physical body’. He means ‘flesh’ as in ‘old, corruptible, passing away’. A new world has come about, through the death of Jesus in the ‘flesh’ in that sense, and the resurrection of Jesus in a new body, gloriously physical but not corruptible. The challenge of the gospel is to live cheerfully in that new world.

4. The ministry of reconciliation changes us into new beings in Christ—the old has passed away, the new has come

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1) Living in the sphere of his power

2) Being untied with Him thru the Spirit

3) Becoming part of the faith community (declared thru baptism by immersion)

5. The ministry of reconciliation began with God’s reconciling act in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 (ESV)

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.

This part of reconciliation has already happened!

6. The ministry of reconciliation is pleading with people to be reconciled to God

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (ESV)

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.

This part of reconciliation is happening in the present.

The call to be reconciled to God must be accepted.

7. The ministry of reconciliation is so that we “become the righteousness of God”

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

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.

God treated Christ as ‘sin’

Christ was made “to be sin” so that we might “become the righteousness of God”

One powerful real-life story that illustrates the transformative impact of reconciliation is the story of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in post-apartheid South Africa.

Background:

During the era of apartheid in South Africa, deep-seated racial tensions and systematic discrimination led to widespread suffering and injustice. In 1994, as apartheid came to an end and Nelson Mandela was elected as the country's first black president, the nation faced the daunting task of healing its wounds and reconciling its divided communities.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission:

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a vocal anti-apartheid activist, played a crucial role in advocating for reconciliation and justice. In 1995, the South African government established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with Tutu as its chairperson. The TRC was designed to investigate the crimes committed during the apartheid era, provide a platform for victims and perpetrators to share their stories, and offer amnesty to those who confessed to their crimes.

Real-Life Reconciliation:

One poignant moment during the TRC hearings involved a woman named Amy Biehl. Amy, an American exchange student, was brutally murdered by a group of black youths in 1993. Four of the perpetrators applied for amnesty through the TRC.

During the hearings, Amy's parents, Linda and Peter Biehl, attended to hear the details of their daughter's murder. Instead of harboring anger and seeking revenge, the Biehls chose a path of reconciliation. They met with the families of the perpetrators, expressed forgiveness, and supported their applications for amnesty. The Biehls even established the Amy Biehl Foundation to promote reconciliation, education, and community development.

Impact:

The Biehls' act of forgiveness and reconciliation became a symbol of hope and healing in post-apartheid South Africa. Their willingness to extend forgiveness, engage in dialogue with those responsible for their daughter's death, and actively contribute to community development showcased the transformative power of reconciliation on a national and personal level.

The story of Desmond Tutu, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Biehl family demonstrates that, even in the face of deep-seated injustice and tragedy, reconciliation has the power to break the cycles of hatred and division, fostering healing and creating a foundation for a more just and united society.

Conclusion/Reflection:

Three things to remember:

Be in Awe of God Regularly engage in spiritual practices such as prayer, fasting, and studying the Bible to deepen your understanding of who God is.

Be motived by God’s love

Reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ, who died for us on the Cross, and seek ways to extend that love to others. This includes 1) forgiving those who may have wronged you, 2) showing kindness to those in need, and 3) embodying the grace and truth exemplified by Jesus.

Be a minister of reconciliation

Reach others by being intentional about engaging in conversations about faith that demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel in your own life.

Talk It Over:

Can you share a personal experience where you either witnessed or experienced the transformative power of reconciliation? How did it impact your understanding of forgiveness, love, and the ministry of reconciliation?

Consider the steps outlined in the conclusion of sermon: living in awe of God, practicing Christ's love, and actively engaging in reconciliation. How can individuals practically apply these steps in their relationships and communities? (Examples: Intentional Acts of Kindness or Opportunities For Conflict Resolution)

What challenges do you foresee in actively participating in the ministry of reconciliation, whether on a personal or community level? Additionally, what opportunities do you see for promoting reconciliation in your spheres of influence?