Be Reconciled  Matthew 5:23-24    Wednesday Night Bible study  3/03/04

  God is fixing to bring us to a higher level. The importance of reconciliation.

I. The Definition of Reconciliation

  A. To return to favor, to bring back to a state of harmony

  B. It always involves restoring a relationship that was broken

II. Observations concerning Reconciliation

  A. V.22 – a disagreement has taken place

  B. An understanding of 3 factors

    1. Husband and wife have disagreement

      a. Pride

        1. Belittling remarks reveal pride

           a. Prov. 18:21 -

        2. Raca – Chaldean term- “O empty headed one”. It communicates worthlessness.

        3. Fool – Greek word “Moros”- implies dull or stupid

        4. God hates pride because we use it to put ourselves in the place of God

           a. Prov. 16:18 -

        5. Acts 12:21-23 –  

      b. Anger- Pride leads to anger when we put ourselves above the other person. They don’t respect our exalted position

        1. Prov. 18:6 -

        2. Dealing with anger –

           a. Eph. 4:26-27,31 -

           b. Heb. 12:14-15 – 

      c. Cutting the person off (I don’t need you)

III. Desires concerning Reconciliation

  A. Thru worship God reminds us of things in our lives that aren’t right. As long as there is internal sin in our lives, worship isn’t acceptable to God. Worship was a major concern of Pharisees.

    1. 1 John 4:20-21 -

      a. John MacArthur – true worship isn’t enhanced by better music, better prayers, better architecture or better preaching. It is enhanced by better relationships

      b. 1 Sam. 15:22-23 -        

    2. 1 Peter 3:7 –

      a. according to knowledge – husbands should be considerate of their wives physical, spiritual and emotional needs

      b. weaker – physically weaker (nit intellectually inferior)

      c. being heirs together – (grace) pleasures of life

  B. God is concerned about reconciliation. The issue isn’t who is right or wrong.

IV. Principals concerning Reconciliation 

  A. It may take some time (Prov. 18:19) – we are only responsible for ourselves

  B. Reconciliation is usually motivated by God’s reproofs

    1. When an offense is allowed to continue things just get worse.

      a. Jacob deceived his father and was forced to go to his Uncle, Laban, where they deceived each other.      

  C. Reconciliation begins with personal examination

    1. Psa. 139:23-24 – we must evaluate our actions in light our genuine love and taken from the perspective of the offended one (how would we like it if someone talked to us like that).

  D. Reconciliation requires us to cry out to God

    1. Gen. 32:9-12

      a. For reconciliation to be successful, God must work in all party’s hearts.

  E. Reconciliation requires sincere repentance

    1. We must realize that all sin is against God, not just the person offended.

    2. Reconciliation can’t happen until we have made amends with God.