An Appeal for Reconciliation Pt1

What is the first step in reconciliation? Before anyone can seek reconciliation what must happen?

Intro

The shooting in a Texas church this past week

One factor was a disagreement or family argument between the gunman and a family in teh church

The goal of Christianity is reconciliation.

It is who we are called to be and what we are called to do.

But, where do we begin?

Illus: I remember meeting with a couple in my office as a chaplain.

They were a married couple trying to fix their relationship.

Neither of them showed signs of love, only fighting and arguing.

calling, regeneration, conversion (including repentance and faith), justification, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification

calling, regeneration, conversion (including repentance and faith), justification, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification

Hoekema, A. A. (1994). Saved by Grace (p. 12). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Paul’s appeal for reconciliation is useless without God first bringing one to salvation

We should treat Christians different

Unless one is saved they cannot truly understand reconciliation

Ordo Salutis - Order of Salvation

calling, regeneration, conversion (including repentance and faith), justification, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification

Hoekema, A. A. (1994). Saved by Grace (p. 12). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

So, let’s look at how Scripture teaches us that the first step toward reconciliation is salvation

Drama

Paul’s appeal

He could have demanded as an Apostle

Philemon 8–11 ESV

Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)

P

Church polity was in place and being used

Philemon 12–14 ESV

I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 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, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

Philemon

His appeal is to receive Onisemus as a new creation

An appeal of love for him as a brotehr in Christ

Paul loved him - “sending my very heart.”

Philemon 15–16 ESV

For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 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.

Onisemus was now a saved individual and this brought about a difference

Doctrine

Salvation changes us from useless to useful (8-11)

(10) Paul knew O was saved

“Whose Father I became.”

Paul is his spiritual Father

Paul ofter refured to Timothy this way

And others

(11) Paul now sees him as useful

A servant of Jesus Christ

How does a slave, who is useful by wordly standards, become useful by God’s standards?

He has been made alive to do useful ministry amongst the church

Illus: Saul converted to Paul -

- Ananias response to God

Acts 9:13–16 ESV

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Acts 9:

App: Being made alive in Christ means we become a part of the family and are made useful. How is God calling you to serve in His church? How has he made you useful? Do you feel you have lost your usefulness?

Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Colossians 2:13 ESV

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Salvation changes how we interact with one another (12-14)

Paul could have kept O there and used him to serve

messenger, reader, Emanuensus, etc . . .

reader, Emanuensus, etc . . .

But, he wanted him to be received and sent to work in Philemon’s home church

Paul saw value in O

Paul knew that if he were to serve Him God would work through Philemon to make that happen

Sovereignty of God

Ilus: Paul began to treat O as a brother in Christ

Galatians 3:27–29 ESV

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Acts 9:20–22 ESV

And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

Gal 3:28

Acts 9:

App: Paul began to treat O as a brother in Christ. Who around us do we need to stat treating like a brother in Christ?

Salvation comes about through practical circumstances (15-16)

(15) Paul gives credit to God for O’s circumstances and salvation

They are not mutually exclusive

God orhcastrates all things, and governs them, bringing people into salvation through practical means and circumstances

(16) Paul sees God’s eternal purpose for O

App: Even the basic every day life events surrounding us are opportunities that bring salvation

Called to share the gospel - message of reconciliation

Doxology

We should praise God that He brings the dead to life and changes the hearts of men to make them useful for the Kingdom of God

God begins with us by reconciling us o himself first - Salvation

We are made useful, We begin to view each other differently, and these things happened in some of the most unusually, yet natural ways

App: Do you recall your salvation? When God started working faith in you and regenerating you? Your conversion?

This is God extending His love toward you.

Now, that is reconciliation.

Conclusion