INVOCATION:

 

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

This week's Sermon - The Ministry Of Reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 - And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

1. An important concept fundamental to the gospel of Christ is that of “reconciliation”

 

2. In 2 Co 5:18-21, Paul expounds upon this subject:

a. He discusses how there is some sort of reconciliation between God and man

b. He describes the role he played in what he calls the “ministry” of reconciliation

 

3. There are a couple of questions I would like to address in this lesson:

a. Exactly what is the nature of the reconciliation between God and man?

b. What roles might we play in the gospel of Christ in the “ministry of reconciliation”?

 

[It is important that we first properly understand the meaning of “reconciliation” and its concept as it relates to God and man...]

 

I. THE PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION:

 

A. DEFINING RECONCILIATION:

 

1. Vine’s definition of the word “reconcile” (Grk., katallasso):

a. “It properly denotes to change, exchange (esp. of money)”

b. “Hence, of persons, to change from enmity to friendship, to reconcile”

 

2. He goes on to add: “With regard to the relationship between God and man, the use of this and connected words show that primarily reconciliation is what God (emphasis mine, mac) accomplishes...”

a. I.e., there is enmity between God and man (because of man’s sin, cf. Isaiah 59:1-2 - Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.)

b. Yet the gospel proclaims how GOD has taken the initiative to reconcile man back to Himself

 

3. We should note this fine distinction:

a. God is not reconciled to man, as though God were partly to blame for the enmity

b. Rather, man is reconciled to God, for it is man who moved away from God!

 

4. Thus the reconciliation between man and God is slightly different, though the difference is important!

a. When people need to be reconciled to one another, it normally involves a situation where fault lies on both sides to some degree

b. Not so with the case between man and God; man has moved away from God, and it is man who needs to be reconciled back to God, not God back to man!

 

B. HOW RECONCILIATION IS MADE POSSIBLE:

 

1. It is possible because of the initiatives that God took first!

 

2. It is possible through Jesus Christ, in particular by His death for our sins!

a. Note these verses that teach reconciliation comes through Jesus - 2 Corinthians 5:18 - And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; - Colossians 1:19-20a - For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him,

b. Note these verses that teach reconciliation comes through Jesus’ death on the cross - 2 Corinthians 5:19 - To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. - 2 Corinthians 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. - Romans 5:10 - For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. - Colossians 1:20b-22 - I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

c. In other words:

1) God took Christ, who knew no sin, to represent our sin and to receive the punishment due for sin in His death on the cross

2) So that we, who were enemies, alienated from God by our sins, might be reconciled back to God!

3) And through Christ’s death:

a) We might become the righteousness of God in Him - 2 Corinthians 5:21a - For he hath made him to be sin for us,

b) We might be holy, blameless and irreproachable in His sight, because our trespasses are not imputed to us - Colossians 1:22 - In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: - 2 Corinthians 5:19 - To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. - cf. Romans 4:6-8 - Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

 

3. Indeed, reconciliation is possible because God has offered Jesus as a “propitiation” for our sins!

a. The word “propitiation” describes a sacrifice that is designed to appease for sins

b. It was used to describe those sacrifices that Gentiles offered to their gods

c. But in the NT, it is God who offers the “propitiation”, not man!

1) Cf. 1 John 2:1-2 - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. - 1 John 4:10 - Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

2) This illustrates the great love God has for us, and how far He has gone in trying to reconcile man back to Himself!

 

[It is when we understand the meaning and process of “reconciliation” (along with “propitiation”) that we begin to appreciate the wonderful extent of God’s grace and His love for mankind. But God went beyond just sending His Son to die on the cross as a propitiation designed to reconcile man back to God; He has also developed...]

 

II. THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION:

 

A. GOD SENT “AMBASSADORS”:

 

1. Note that Paul says God:

a. “...hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” - 2 Co 5:18b

b. “...hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” - 2 Co 5:19b

 

-- There is a ministry (service) in which the word of reconciliation is to be made known to others!

 

2. The apostles in particular had this “ministry”:

a. The word apostle means “one sent”

b. In a special way they were sent to serve as Christ’s “ambassadors” to the world! - 2 Corinthians 5:20 - Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

 

3. Therefore, through the apostles...through their word:

a. God is pleading with us...

b. Christ is imploring us...

 

...be reconciled to God! - 2 Corinthians 5:20 - Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

 

-- Thus God’s great love is manifest in the fact that He also sent ambassadors to tell the world what He has done to reconcile man back to Himself

 

B. HIS “AMBASSADORS” TODAY:

 

1. The “ministry of reconciliation” continues today!

a. For people are still lost in their sins

b. And God still loves those who are lost

 

2. But who are God’s “ambassadors” today?

a. Who will take the “word of reconciliation” to others?

b. Who along with God and Christ will plead and implore: “Be reconciled to God!”?

 

3. While there may not be “formal” ambassadors like the apostles were, Christ still has His ambassadors:

a. The people of God, who proclaim His praises - cf. 1 Peter 2:9-10 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

b. Faithful individuals, who properly taught can teach others - cf. 2 Timothy 2:2 - And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

c. In fact, all Christians should be involved in “the ministry of reconciliation”!

1) Some may “go”, while others may “send” - cf. Romans 10:14-15 - 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? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

2) Some may “teach”, while others may “invite” - cf. John 1:45-46 - Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

 

-- In whatever way we serve, we must remember that we play an important role in God’s ministry of reconciliation today!

 

CONCLUSION:

 

1. How important is “reconciliation” and “the ministry of reconciliation”?

a. If God is “pleading” and Christ is “imploring”, then it must be very important!

b. Indeed, the eternal destiny of one’s soul depends upon whether he or she has been reconciled to God!

 

2. Does this not move us?

a. First to be reconciled ourselves?

b. And then to participate in the ministry of reconciliation for the sake of others?

 

3. A final thought: The fact that God “pleads” and Christ “implores” us to be reconciled tell us some things that are very important for us to realize:

a. Reconciliation is not unconditional (we must respond!)

b. Reconciliation is not universal (some will be lost!)

 

Indeed, the grace and mercy of God offered in the death of His Son must not be received in vain!

 

As Paul goes on to say in - 2 Corinthians 6:1 - We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

 

Only through an obedient faith can we be sure to receive God’s grace, and have Jesus as the author of our eternal salvation! - cf. Hebrews 5:9 - And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Have you been reconciled to God?

 

Prayer: Mark 16:16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned - Ephesians 6:23 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

 

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.