Reconciliation
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Let’s admit it: these last three months have been difficult. Isolation, social distancing, economic uncertainties, and racial strife as darken the mood of most.
Relationships have been put to the test. Marriages and families have been stretched. Many friendships have been placed under much stress.
Believers in Christ are not immune to the turmoil.
We are fully capable of inflicting hurt and pain on each other.
We can easily dismiss objections and complaints of others—especially if we are the focus of such frustrations.
We are prone to misunderstand, react negatively, and refuse to listen and learn.
We can inflict wounds upon each other and ignore the cries of the brokenhearted.
However, our relationship with God is hinged with our relationship with others.
What does God say we should do?
Text: 1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.
8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Love, serving one another, helping others, encouraging others—that is a calling every believer in Christ must practice. It is not an option.
Genuine love for one another gives evidence of our belief in Jesus Christ.
Truth: Fellowship with People Indicates the Quality of our Faith.
Truth: Fellowship with People Indicates the Quality of our Faith.
Fellowship speaks of valuing people—extending sincere respect, forgiveness, patience, kindness, and gentleness.
Fellowship expresses itself through empathy—striving to know how others are feeling—and valuing and holding with great care those feelings of others.
Fellowship is love.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
Genuine love for others—expressed with the attitude and actions—gives evidence of the quality of our relationship with God.
If our love is not genuine—if we only love those who “love” us—then our relationship with God is fractured—and our growth in Christ is stunted.
10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Again, our relationship with God is hinged with our relationship with others.
We cannot let damaged fellowship go unanswered.
Action: Take the Initiative to Reconcile and Restore Fellowship.
Action: Take the Initiative to Reconcile and Restore Fellowship.
If we know that we might have offended someone, we must do something about it. Ignoring it or blaming others is not the biblical solution.
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Take the initiative. Take the first step.
Illustration: Scott going to a former friend before taking communion.
Accept your responsibility without qualifiers (no if’s and’s or but’s).
Listen (active listening) without working on your response.
Ask questions.
Confess your sins; ask for forgiveness; demonstrate love by changing direction (repentance).
Stop thinking that everything needs to be an argument you must win.
Result: Authentic Fellowship Safeguards Our Testimony
Result: Authentic Fellowship Safeguards Our Testimony
Our attitudes, words, and actions impacts the way we represent Jesus Christ.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Loving one another is the command of Jesus that enables our purpose in life to be fulfilled.
People are watching you, listening to every word you speak, and every word you post.
The question is: What are you saying about Jesus with what you say and what you do?
Fellowship, loving one another, reconciliation, restoration, rebuilding—this is our calling—and must be our priority.
Why: Because Jesus loved us and gave himself for us on the cross so we can have life and forgiveness.