Jesus Christ Our Reconciliation

Reconciled – καταλλάσσω (katallassō) to reconcile (hostilities). To restore someone to favorable or friendly relations with another after a presumed wrong.

Reconciled – καταλλάσσω (katallassō)

To reconcile is to restore something to a previous condition.

I think all of us can agree that restoration is somewhat of an art.

Consider these restorations (S).

These are before and after pictures.

If a picture were to be taken of us before reconciliation and after it would look even more dramatic than any of these.

describes our transformation in a unique way (S).

Colossians 1:13 NKJV

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

From darkness to light. From a reign of terror to the reign of love. That is our transformation.

This transformation needs to be understood.

Reconciliation, Biblically speaking, is the idea of being restored to a right relationship with God.

Our goal today is to understand our reconciliation.

Evangelistic motivation flows from an understanding of what has been done for us.

Revealed in this passage are details about reconciliation that are necessary to understanding.

Detail #1…

1. The Source Of Reconciliation v. 18

“Now” is a continuative conjunction. Paul is carrying a thought forward. What thought? The idea from v. 17 that “All things have become new.”

All things have become new and these all new things are of God.

All things have become new through God the Father who has reconciled us to Himself!

How? Through Christ!

What we want to focus on here is that God is the source of reconciliation.

Paul is very clear. God reconciled us to Himself through Christ.

The source of reconciliation is God not ourselves!

He (God) reconciled us (sinners) to Himself! We did not reconcile ourselves to God. Nor did we reconcile God to ourselves.

We. Did. Nothing.

God reconciles. God restores. God establishes a relationship with sinners He has redeemed.

It is all a work of God!

Earlier I mentioned . Turn to that passage.

, (p. 1353).

, (p. 1353)

Colossians 1:13–14 NKJV

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:19–20 NKJV

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Verse 12 tells us that it is God the Father being described. He is the one who has delivered us!

In v. 20 it is the Father Who reconciles all things to Himself!

makes it very clear that we have been reconciled to God (S).

Romans 5:10

Romans 5:10 NKJV

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Notice what we were when He reconciled us? Enemies!

All of this highlights that it is God who reconciles us.

We will address that this reconciliation is accomplished “through Jesus Christ” when we deal with . But let’s look back at v. 18.

God did not reconcile us and then leave us to our own devices.

Here the stated purpose is to give us

We have been reconciled and given a service to perform.

Given – δίδωμι (didōmi) give; grant. To allow to have (as a privilege).

Given – δίδωμι (didōmi)

The ministry or service we have been given is to reach this lost and dying world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This ministry is a privilege! It is a gift that has been given to us!

Detail #2…

Is that how we think of it? Is that how we treat it?

The fact that God reconciles man to Himself emphasizes that no one is beyond His reach. As the almighty Lord of the universe, nothing is too hard for Him.

We have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and given the gift of sharing the gospel message.

Reconciliation is a work of God.

Sing with me

#339 “Since I Have Been Redeemed” (verses 1-2)

The source of our reconciliation is God. That is the first detail we must understand.

Detail #2…

2. The System Of Reconciliation v. 19

v. 18 declared that we were reconciled through Jesus Christ. Here in v. 19 we learn that in Christ our sin is not counted against us!

Imputing – λογίζομαι (logizomai) count; credit; consider. To attribute or reckon as an asset in someone’s (financial) account.

Imputing – λογίζομαι (logizomai)

This is such a powerful verse. God does not ignore our sin. He doesn’t overlook it. He simply refuses to count it against us because Christ has already paid for it!

This highlights a powerful truth seen repeatedly in the NT.

Salvation is about God’s grace not our works.

One of the most famous places we see that is in . We’re not going to go there this morning.

God’s grace not our works

Instead, I want to look at some verses later in that same chapter. (S).

Ephesians 2:14–16 NKJV

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

He is our peace. He abolished the hostility. He made a new man. He reconciles us to God.

No where in those verses does it speak of our own work or ability!

Salvation is not about what I can do. Salvation is about what Christ has already done!

I want to look again at (S).

Romans 5:10–11 NKJV

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Our reconciliation is accomplished through Jesus Christ! It is through His death on the cross that we are able to have a right relationship with God.

We were reconciled while enemies! We receive reconciliation. We do not earn it.

We receive reconciliation. We do not earn it.

The reality of our reconciliation to God leaves us rejoicing. Hallelujah! We have been purchased! Hallelujah! We are redeemed! Hallelujah! We belong to Jesus!

Not because we are worthy. Not because we have earned a place in heaven.

makes this clear (S).

Galatians 2:16 NKJV

16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Our justification is by grace through faith!

We saw in the previous verse that as those who have been redeemed, we have been gifted with a responsibility.

Here that responsibility is viewed as something committed to us.

The spreading of the gospel is a duty that has been assigned to us.

It is a gift, but it is also a duty.

Salvation is not a prize we compete for. It is our motivation for running the race.

Reconciliation to God cannot be earned, only given.

Sing with me

#339 “Since I Have Been Redeemed” (verses 3-4)

The source of reconciliation is God. The system of reconciliation is grace.

Detail #3…

3. The Significance Of Reconciliation vv. 20-21

In these two verses we find our job and our identity. First, we look at…

Our job v. 20

This is a powerful verse.

“Now then” would be better translated “therefore.” Because we have been entrusted with the Word of reconciliation. Because we have that ministry, we are ambassadors.

Ambassadors – πρεσβεύω (presbeuō) be an ambassador. To act as an authorized representative of one sovereign ruler or country to another.

Ambassadors – πρεσβεύω (presbeuō)

We are God’s authorized representatives.

Two thoughts about what it means to be ambassadors.

1 - We are not at home here. 2 - We represent Jesus Christ.

2 - We represent Jesus Christ.

esenting our King, we have a responsibility.

As ambassadors who are here representing our King, we have a responsibility.

Our responsibility is to persuade others to be reconciled to God.

God is urging and pleading with people through us.

As His representatives we ask and beg people to come to Christ!

Why do we do this? The answer is found earlier in the chapter.

2 Corinthians 5:10–11 NKJV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 NKJV

14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

vv. 10-11 Knowing the terror of the Lord. We persuade. Everyone is going to be judged. This gives us a two-fold motivation. 1 - Because we will be judged, we share Christ. 2 - Because others will be judged, we share Christ.

vv. 14-15 the love of Christ compels us! This is our motivation! Christ loves us, He loves the world. He died for us, He died for the world. We no longer live for ourselves. We live for Christ!

reminds us of some very important things. (S).

Romans 10:14–15 NKJV

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

People cannot come to Christ if they do not hear the gospel. They cannot hear the gospel if we are not sharing it. We cannot share it if we are not equipped and called to it.

That is our job. We are ambassadors pleading with others to come to Christ.

Next we learn of…

Our identity v. 21

We are righteous.

Not because we have earned righteousness. Not because we have tried real hard.

We are righteous because of the blood of Christ!

Because of His sacrifice, we are forgiven!

The one who had never sinned, the only righteous one, the spotless innocent Lamb of God was sacrificed so that you and I could be righteous!

makes this clear (S).

Colossians 2:13–14 NKJV

13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

We were dead in sin. We had hearts of stone. There was a long list of accusations against each and every one of us.

But then Christ steps in! He makes us alive! He forgives our sin! He wipes out the list of accusations by obliterating them with His blood!

Now sinners have become saints! Now the dead live! Now the blind see! Now the lame walk! Now we are holy, now we are righteous, now we are redeemed! Reconciled! Now we are His!

We are now His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. We are new creatures. He has begun a good work in us and He will complete it!

According to (S) we are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God!

1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

This is meant to fire us up! This is meant to get us excited! We are ambassadors for the living God! We have been given a task, the gift of the gospel has been entrusted to us. We cannot keep silent!

Reconciliation gives us a task to go with our transformation.

Sing with me

“Here Am I Lord”

Turn with me to . This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #438 “Cleanse Me” (v. 1)

Search me O God and know my heart today Try me O Savior know my thoughts I pray See if there be some wicked way in me Cleanse me from every sin and set me free

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #438 “Cleanse Me” (v. 3)

Lord take my life and make it wholly Thine Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine Take all my will my passion self and pride I now surrender Lord in me abide

Conclusion

Jesus Christ is our reconciliation.

God is the source of reconciliation.

It is not by works of righteousness that we have done. It is according to His mercy and grace that we are saved.

Grace is the system of salvation.

By the works of the law, no one can be justified.

By grace, through faith, not of ourselves.

Reconciliation gives us both a job and an identity.

We represent Jesus Christ. We plead with a lost and dying world for them to be reconciled to God.

We have received the righteousness of Christ.

We are no longer dead in trespasses and sins. We are now saints able to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

Through the precious blood of Christ, we now have a right relationship with God.

We must represent Him well.

We must plead and beg for lost souls to come to Jesus.

#185 “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”

2 Corinthians 5:16–21 NKJV

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

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