The Ministry of Reconciliation

Hello church, thank you so much for the privilege to be here, to bring the Word, and to share our ministry with you

It is my hope that this time would be encouraging to all who hear that the Lord is at work even amidst the difficulties that we face

My goal today is to:

1) Share with you all from the Word of God, a passage that defines my focus in ministry

2) Tell you all about the work God is doing through us and OAC

3) Answer any questions you might have about this ministry

Let us begin by coming to the Lord in prayer, committing this time to Him for His glory!

2 Corinthians 5:17-20

The passage I would like to begin our time with is 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Read the passage-“2 Corinthians 5: beginning at v17 says. .”

V17: New Creature

Paul’s words in V17 give us the beautiful picture of the process of salvation- We are no longer the same as we were!

We were dead in our sin (the old self) but now, we are alive in Christ (The new self)

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive – 1 Cor. 15:21-22

While salvation described here is so beautiful, it is not the end of the story but rather the beginning!

V18: Given the Ministry

In v18, begins by telling us through whom our reconciliation/salvation is accomplished

Who is this?

Answer: From God through Christ

Yet, v18 also says that God has given us something

Answer: To Fulfill the ministry of reconciliation

The beauty is that both God being the one who reconciles, and us being given the ministry of reconciliation, are two harmonious truth!

In the following verses we will see”

1) God’s role in the ministry of reconciliation

2) Our role in the ministry of reconciliation

V19: God’s Role

Verse 19 tells us of God’s role in the ministry of reconciliation

According to v19, God’s act of reconciliation is the salvation of man by restoring relationship between God and man, and forgiving these people of their sins

“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” - Ephesians 2:4-5

As Paul said, “All this is from God. . .”

V20: Our Role

With this in mind, one might wonder “what is there left for us to do?”

The answer is found in v20

1) We are ambassadors for Christ

All redeemed people are representatives for Christ!

To be an ambassador is to be a messenger, representing the King of kings

2) God makes His appeal through us

God is not in need of anything (Acts 17:24-25) – Yet, He has chosen to use us to urge the world to be reconciled

This is our call: To proclaim God’s message to the world – To introduce people to the King!

Conclusion

Kingdom work is to introduce people to the King

Though God is the author and finisher of our faith, He has called us to be proclaimers of His gospel, making disciples of all nations

It is not a suggestion; it is a command from God

With all of this in mind, I would like now to tell you all about how God is using us through Open Air Campaigners to accomplish this task!