Need For Reconciliation|Generation X Dicipleship Group

Our Need for the Reconciliation of Christ

Colossians 1:21–22 (NASB95)

21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach

Deal with the topic by answering a few questions during our time

What is Christian reconciliation?

Reconciliation. Restoration of friendly relationships and of peace where before there had been hostility and alienation. Ordinarily it also includes the removal of the offense which caused the disruption of peace and harmony.

Illustration of a Marriage Relationship when we are mad at each other

The cross accomplished the reconciliation so to God reconciliation is past tense

When we receive reconciliation the thing that separated us from God gets removed

Why do we need to be reconciled with God?

We need Christ’s Reconciliation to be in relationship with God

We need reconciliation to restore the relationship with God that sin broke References Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:21

A failure to be reconciled means alienation

Can we be reconciled in some areas of life but not in others?

Reconciliation with God includes being disengaged with the sin that caused the separation

Can we be reconciled with God but not with people?

Reconciliation with God goes hand in hand with being reconciled with others Matthew 5:23-24

Matthew 5:21-24 “21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

God desires that all Men to be reconciled

2. We need Christ’s Reconciliation so that God might Reconcile others

we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. That means our first ministry should be reconciling other people to Christ.

1 Timothy 2:1–7 (NKJV)

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

The Ministry of Reconciliation is critical

2 corinthians 5:18 “18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,”

Pew Research from Dec 2021 says 63% of the US self Identify as Christians. This number was 75% just ten years ago

45% of Americans say they pray on a daily basis. this number was 58% ten years ago

only 30% of the self-identified Christians say they are born again with a personal commitment to Christ. this was 45% ten years ago.

John 3:5-7 “5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

How do we convince others of their need for reconciliation?

the answer is you can’t!

John 16:7-9 “7 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;”

The Holy Spirit convicts of Sin according the John16:7-8

Reach the lost by praying specific prayers based on the word

Matthew 9:37-38 “37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.””

2. After being sent into the harvest (through the leading of the Spirit) before giving them the gospel, present the 10 commandments the same manor that Jesus did

Mark 10:17–20 (NASB95)

17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 “You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”

share your testimony but incorporate the Moral Law like Jesus did

I commited adultery and murder in my heart and I need a savior

the law brings the knowledge of sin

without this you will fill the church with false converts

we have divine assignments from God

Holy Spirit gives boldness ability and strength to witness

we can plant seeds by using the moral law to show that we need a savior. then allow the holy spirit to convict.