Sermon Central
-
The Beauty Of Reconcilliation Series
Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Jul 22, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God
The Beauty of Reconciliation
blessed (makarious): supremely happy.
peace (eirene): more than just the lack of conflict; it is a state of being bound together; being properly related.
Where does this peace come from? God
How is this peace given? Through the blood of Christ
What secret is Jesus revealing?
God loves reconciliation
Peace must be:
*Accepted genuinely Romans 5:1
*Experienced personally Philippians 4:7
*Shared generously
- Making peace with others personally Romans 12:18
- Making peace between others & God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
We are never more like God than when we are making peace.
What secret keeps us from being involved in reconciliation? Pride
What is the promise for those who are involved in reconciliation?
They will have the heart of the Father.
THE BEAUTY OF RECONCILIATION
Intro: quick review…
In the Beatitudes, Jesus unveils the secrets to kingdom living; the secrets to abundant living; the secrets to a life of supreme happiness. Each of these 8 secrets uses the word ‘blessed’. It is the Greek word BLESSED (MAKARIOUS): SUPREMELY HAPPY. This happiness Jesus identifies is different than the happiness the world seeks. Thiers is a happiness that is based on emotion, that is temporary, that is based on favorable circumstances. But this supreme happiness is a state of being that is based on the favor of God.
And so this morning we come to the 7th secret of this life of supreme happiness. It builds on all of the previous 6 secrets. Jesus says in v.9 “THE PEACEMAKERS ARE BLESSED, FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD.” MATTHEW 5:9 HCSB
NT PEACE (EIRENE): MORE THAN JUST THE LACK OF CONFLICT; IT IS A STATE OF BEING BOUND TOGETHER; BEING PROPERLY RELATED.
Peace = what it is, and what it’s NOT.
Peace keeper vs. Peace maker
A peacekeeper is a person who enforces, by whatever means, by force of personality or by superior weapons, a truce.
A peacemaker is one who actually discovers the origin of the conflict, and finds a way to resolve it, and helps the parties to restore a proper, loving relationship.
* We can be a peace keeper and not be a peace maker. Sometimes conflict must occur in order to experience genuine peace. Example: Salvation – there was an inner battle taking place inside all of us, there was a struggle between flesh and Spirit….but giving way to Spirit allows “Peace” to flow in. Same is true in our relationship with mankind. Sometimes to have true peace, it causes us to confront in love.
To painfully forgive…this is not the response of a peace lover…they try and avoid conflict at all cost…and sometimes it costs them genuine peace.
WHERE DOES THIS PEACE COME FROM? (build slide) GOD
“FOR GOD WAS PLEASED TO HAVE ALL HIS FULLNESS DWELL IN HIM (JESUS), AND THROUGH HIM TO RECONCILE EVERYTHING TO HIMSELF BY MAKING PEACE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS.”
COLOSSIANS 1:19-20 HCSB
HOW IS THIS PEACE GIVEN? (build slide) THROUGH THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
“FOR GOD WAS PLEASED TO HAVE ALL HIS FULLNESS DWELL IN HIM (JESUS), AND THROUGH HIM TO RECONCILE EVERYTHING TO HIMSELF BY MAKING PEACE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS.”
COLOSSIANS 1:19-20 HCSB
WHAT SECRET IS JESUS REVEALING?
GOD LOVES RECONCILIATION
God’s peace must be:
*ACCEPTED GENUINELY (vertical)
“THEREFORE, SINCE WE HAVE BEEN DECLARED RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” ROMANS 5:1 HCSB
*EXPERIENCED PERSONALLY
“AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES EVERY THOUGHT, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.” PHILIPPIANS 4:7 HCSB
*SHARED GENEROUSLY (horizontal)
- MAKING PEACE WITH OTHERS PERSONALLY.
“IF POSSIBLE, ON YOUR PART, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE.” ROMANS 12:18 HCSB
Celebrate Recovery says it like this: EVALUATE ALL MY RELATIONSHIPS. OFFER FORGIVENESS TO THOSE WHO HAVE HURT ME AND MAKE AMENDS FOR HARM I’VE DONE TO OTHERS, EXCEPT WHEN TO DO SO WOULD HARM THEM OR OTHERS. Hurting people hurt people
- MAKING PEACE BETWEEN OTHERS & GOD.
“THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION;(A) OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY, AND LOOK,(B) NEW THINGS[F] HAVE COME.(C) 18 EVERYTHING IS FROM GOD, WHO RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUGH CHRIST AND GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION:(D) 19 THAT IS, IN CHRIST, GOD WAS RECONCILING THE WORLD(E) TO HIMSELF,(F) NOT COUNTING THEIR TRESPASSES AGAINST THEM, AND HE HAS COMMITTED THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION TO US. 20 THEREFORE, WE ARE AMBASSADORS(G) FOR CHRIST, CERTAIN THAT GOD IS APPEALING THROUGH US. WE PLEAD ON CHRIST’S BEHALF,(H) “BE RECONCILED TO GOD.” 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17-20 HCSB
….without God, we are all hurting…and in need of His reconciliation. (No God….NO peace; KNOW God ….KNOW peace) Having been reconciled we look for ways to reconcile others to God and each other.
