TGP: A Reconciling Gospel

Intro:

Give groups broken objects and some tape

Tell them that their goal is to fix the object and restore it to working condition

Can’t fix with tape alone

Can’t fix relationships on our own

The Holy Spirit

Essential Doctrine: Christ as Reconciliation

Ever since the fall of the first man and woman in the garden of Eden, God and human beings have been estranged. Sin resulted not only in an estranged relationship with God but also in enmity between God and humanity. Sin is an infinite offense against an infinite God. Thankfully, God loves His enemies and has sent Christ to be the reconciler between us and God. Through Christ’s death, God provides the means whereby that broken relationship is restored and renewed (Rom 6:23; 2 Cor 5:18-19).

The two consequences of the Fall:

Estrangement

Enmity

Reconciliation takes these two things away

Essential Connection

In this unit, we read about Paul’s drastic conversion when he meets Jesus on the road to Damascus. We see that meeting Jesus completely transforms us and calls us to a new way of living, propelling us to share the truth of the gospel.

Summary:

God sent Jesus so we could be reconciled to Him

Reconciliation with others isn’t always easy; it takes work

We can be reconciled with those we previously disagreed with because we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

Reconciliation is a picture of the Gospel.

Main Point: Believers are called to be reconciled with each other as Christ has reconciled us with God

Reconciliation is born out of love

Context for Philemon:

Onesimus

Runaway slave

Ran away from Philemon

Met Paul

Became believer

Paul wrote to Philemon to forgive

Letter delivered by Onesimus

Urged to view as brother

Philemon 8–14 (ESV)

8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

Q. What does Paul do instead of “commanding” Philemon to forgive Onesimus?

He “appeals” to him

Q. Why does Philemon appeal instead of command?

“For love’s sake”

Appeal = more loving

“I’m not going to make you do it, but I would really appreciate it if you did.”

Treating each other as equals

V. 11: From useless to useful

A true picture of reconciliation

Q. What is Paul sending back to Philemon?

Onesimus

His “very heart”

Q. Why did Paul have Onesimus stay with him?

“… in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.”

Not wanting Philemon to be forced into anything

“You have the freedom to imprison if you want… but please don’t”

Q. Have you ever felt forced to forgive someone-maybe a sibling? Did it last? Explain.

Q. What should be the motivation for reconciling with someone who wronged us?

Love

Reconciliation is born out of love

Reconciliation is achieved through Christ

Philemon 15–17 (ESV)

15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

Q. Why does Paul suggest that perhaps Onesimus has been away from Philemon for this time?

“That you might have him back forever”

From servanthood to brotherhood

A change of relationship

“… Spiritual conversion changed social relationships, making all equal 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.

Q. What do the verses in 2 Corinthians say we all have the ministry of? What does this really mean?

The reconciled are called to reconcile

Helping others seek peace with God

Restoring broken relationships

The example of Philemon

We are called to do likewise

Q. Why is it tempting to get involved in drama instead of fulfilling the call to reconcile with others?

Reconciliation is born out of love

Reconciliation is achieved through Christ

Reconciliation is realized by God’s grace

Philemon 18–22 (ESV)

18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

Q. What does Paul offer to do for Onesimus here?

To pay Philemon whatever he owes him

“Paul practiced the mind of Christ in everyday relationships.”

An act of grace

Q. What does Paul say he won’t say anything about?

Philemon owning him

Also an act of grace

A picture of God’s grace

Q. What does it mean that God shows us grace?

Q. How did Paul live out the example of Christ?

Christ Connection:

When Paul appealed to Philemon on behalf of the runaway slave Onesimus, he placed himself in the middle of their broken relationship. To make peace, Paul volunteered to pay Onesimus’s debt. Through this action, Paul modeled Jesus Christ, who is the peacemaker between God and sinful humanity. By paying our debt, Jesus reconciled us to God and to each other.

Head: How can remembering Jesus reconciled you to God help you reconcile with others?

Heart: Where in your life does reconciliation need to happen? What is standing in the way?

Hands: Why is it important for you to act as a n agent of peace instead of getting caught up in drama?