Restoring What is Broken

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NIV) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

Introduction

For a few minutes this evening, I want to speak to you on the topic of *Reconciliation: Restoring What is Broken*. This concept of reconciliation is central to the Christian faith and to our relationships with one another. It’s about mending what is torn, healing what is wounded, and bringing together what has been divided. Reconciliation speaks of restoring the broken relationship between God and humanity, and also between people. So where do we start?

Question: Why is reconciliation needed? Reconciliation, at its core, implies that something is broken. You don’t reconcile people who are in perfect harmony; you reconcile those who are separated, divided, or in conflict.

Question” Why is it hard to reconcile what is broken?

Don’t see eye to eye

Admitting who was at fault

It takes two to reconcile

1. Broken Relationship with God

- The Bible tells us that humanity’s relationship with God was broken by sin. In the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, sin entered the world, causing a rift between God and mankind. That separation from God, the source of life and love, brought death, suffering, and alienation.

- Isaiah 59:2 says, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you.” Because of sin, we were estranged from God and could not bridge the gap on our own.

2. Broken Relationships with One Another

- Not only did sin separate us from God, but it also damaged our relationships with each other. Think about how quickly division, hatred, and violence entered the world after the fall. Cain, in jealousy and anger, killed his own brother Abel.

- Our world today is full of divisions—racial, political, social, and religious. The brokenness is evident in our families, friendships, communities, and nations. We need reconciliation on every level.

The beautiful truth of the gospel is that God didn’t leave us in our brokenness. He took the initiative to reconcile us back to Himself. Let’s revisit 2 Corinthians 5:16-19

2 Corinthians 5:16–19 NLT

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

**“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.”**

1. God Initiated Reconciliation Through Christ

- Notice the phrase: “All this is from God.” Reconciliation starts with God. We did not seek Him; He sought us. We were unable to bridge the gap caused by sin, so God Himself made a way through Jesus Christ. The Old God showed us that He could allow us to wander in the wilderness. He was not at fault for our sins and transgressions

- Through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, God offered forgiveness and restoration. Christ took our sins upon Himself and bore the punishment that we deserved. This act of selfless love is the ultimate demonstration of God’s desire for reconciliation.

2. Reconciling Others to God

- Sharing the message of the gospel is part of this ministry. We are called to share the good news that God has made a way for people to be reconciled to Him. It’s not just the job of ministers or missionaries; every believer has a role in proclaiming this message of hope.

3. Reconciling with One Another

Jesus taught us that reconciliation with others is essential to our relationship with God. In Matthew 5:23-24, He said, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there... First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

Being reconciled with others means humbling ourselves, seeking forgiveness when we have wronged someone, and offering forgiveness when someone has wronged us. It means striving for peace and unity in our families, church, and communities. Once we have done this we are headed for reconciliation in the world

4. Pursuing Reconciliation in the World

- As the church, we are called to be peacemakers and bridge-builders. In a world that is increasingly polarized and divided, we have a unique opportunity to show what true reconciliation looks like.

Wherever there is brokenness, we are called to bring the healing presence of Christ.

Practical Steps Toward Reconciliation

How can we live out this ministry of reconciliation in our daily lives? Here are a few practical steps:

1. Examine Your Heart- Allow His grace to wash over you and transform you.

2. Seek Forgiveness and Offer It freely- seek forgiveness where needed, and offer forgiveness even if it’s not asked for.

3. Be a Peacemaker- Look for opportunities to bring peace and unity.

4. Proclaim the Gospel- Be a witness of His love and grace in your words and actions.

Conclusion

He desires for us to be reconciled to Him and to one another. As the body of Christ, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation—to be agents of His peace and grace in a broken world.

May we live out this calling with courage, humility, and love, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

Prayer

Let us bow our heads and pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your incredible love and grace that sought us when we were lost. Thank You for reconciling us to Yourself through the precious blood of Jesus. Help us to live as ambassadors of reconciliation in this world. Give us the courage to seek peace, the humility to forgive, and the love to embrace those who are different from us. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to be peacemakers and bridge-builders, proclaiming the message of reconciliation to a world in need. We ask all this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.