OUR CALL TO MINISTRY- A MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

WHAT IS YOUR MINISTRY? IT 'S A MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

The Ministry of reconciliation is a more excellent ministry. It is:

1. A ministry without condemnation

(Heb 5:1-2)For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;

(Compassion on the ignorant)

For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, indeed being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;(1Pe 3:18)

2. A ministry without prejudice

There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.(Gal 3:28)

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.(Eph 4:4-6)

3. A ministry without retaliation

Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven .Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.(Mat 5:10-12)

4. A ministry without walls

Go into all the world and preach the gospel and make disciples.

5. A ministry without profanity

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: (Isa 50:4)

SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE

6. A ministry without idolatry

Don’t be double minded

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

(2Ch 7:14)

The initiative in reconciliation was taken by God—while we were still sinners and “enemies,” Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8, 10; Col. 1:21).

Reconciliation is thus God’s own completed act, something that takes place before human actions such as confession, repentance, and restitution. God Himself “has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 5:18).

Paul regarded the gospel as “the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19). And knowing “the terror of the Lord,” Paul pleaded, implored, and persuaded people to be “reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

Is. 61:6 But you will be named the priests of Jehovah; it will be said of you, Ministers of our God; you will eat the riches of the nations, and you will revel in their glory.

2 Chron. 7:14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Cor. 5:18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

John 17:24 Father, I desire that those whom You have given Me, that they may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me, for You have loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Col. 1:20 and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.

and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

(Eph 2:16)

“Reconciled,” means “to change, exchange, reestablish, restore relationships, make things right, move an enmity. Five times the word refers to God’s reconciling us to Himself through the life, death and Resurrection of His Son Jesus (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18). In examining the word reconciled, we gain a rich understanding of what real ministry is all about. In your own words, explain how the following terms relate to the quality of ministry that Jesus Christ wants us to have.

1. Change, mature, grow up

2. Reestablish relationships

3. Restore relationships

4. Make things right

5. Remove enmity

Be a peacemaker, be a minister of reconciliation.

WISDOM AND DISCRETION

Wisdom and Discretion - Controlling Our Tongues

Pro 24:3 through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established

Pro 9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars

The house of God is built by ruling, reigning and practicing wise judgment in every instance.

We find discretion mentioned in Proverbs 24:3 quoted above – ‘understanding’. This Hebrew word is also translated ‘discretion, skillfulness, prudence’. These words refer to the exercise of good judgment and common sense. Discretion involves considering the repercussions of the outcome of one’s decision and practicing caution, knowing when to speak and when to keep silent, knowing that one’s actions will bring about consequences. Discretion suggests wise self-restraint, as in resisting a rash impulse. It is a hallmark of maturity.

Wisdom and discretion were qualities which were essential to the man being released to rule. Why was discretion so important?

Pro 2:11 Discretion shall preserve you, understanding shall keep you.

Here we see that discretion provides protection. Once again in Proverbs 3 we see wisdom and discretion mentioned together:

Pro 3:21-23 My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life to your soul, and grace to your neck. Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.

Pro 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

Pro 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Pro 19:11 The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Holy Spirit wants us to learn not to speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword. He cannot trust us with authority in the spiritual realm is we are unable to control our tongues and rein them in. This is just as important when sharing revelation. A word spoken at the right moment is so good and achieves the purpose for which God gave it to you. However, if you just share revelation without discretion, you cannot be trusted with the secret things of God.

James 3 tells us that a person who can control their tongue is a ‘perfect’ man. The Greek word used here means ‘complete, of full age, mature manhood’. We have to submit to the bit being put in our mouth by the Word if we desire to be useful to Him.

FINALLY SEEING

The early church was often able to SEE and incredibly discern. Think about how they could receive revelation from Paul, even though he had murdered many Christians before his conversion. Yet, those previously potential victims were later able to give great love and affection to him.

In this way, the arising church must rightly discern the Body (1 Cor. 11:29) and connect with those whom God has sent. Their past may seem strange. But, in spite of who they might have been, God sends them now. Even this very moment, we can experience a deeper drawing from the Spirit that allows us to SEE others with "Kingdom Eyes." (Col. 1:27, 3:16, Eph. 3:17, Acts 2:4, 1 Jn. 2:27, Jn. 14:17).

THE BLIND:

Jesus gave His very first talk in the temple. Among other things, He said the "Spirit of the Lord is upon Me... to give sight to the blind." Numerous Biblical stories tell about the blind receiving sight - and going from darkness (symbol of lack of energy) into seeing variegated refractions of light. These are not just cute little Bible stories for the flannel board presentations, but they reveal accurate modes of operation and mentalities which the Lord desires for us to comprehend.

New mentalities redefine the framework of our lives.We move past private goals and selfish ambitions.

Jesus walked past this poor Gentile beggar who had been born blind and had never seen the light of day. The beggar sat near the pool of Siloam (which meant "sent," and represents the Apostolic ministry that soon awaited him).

Assuming (wrongly) that there was a direct correlation between sin and suffering, the neighbors asked Jesus: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (9:2) They were probably considering the common Jewish superstitions of reincarnation or the popular Pythagorean notion that concerned the transmigration of pre-existing souls from one body to another.

Notice how Jesus refused to debate their limited doctrines. He also didn't tell them how that sickness was from God to help that beggar develop his character and learn a specific lesson. He didn't teach that sickness makes people grow closer to God! He didn't suggest that God was punishing this man for an inappropriate life-style, or that the hidden meaning of his city cultivated a particular demon. NO. This beggar wasn't born blind to develop a character trait like God. Instead, Jesus dismissed their religious ideas and stopped their empty speculation. Disease, sickness, and blindness are conflicting realities with the Kingdom of LIGHT.

God works in the LIGHT.

Jesus told them it is NOW time to work (our task) the works (the labor) of God (miracles and POWER) while it is daylight (light) and not be religious. Jesus (the LIGHT of the WORLD" - Jn. 9:5) explained how the healing of this particular blindness would enable the "work of God to be revealed in his life" (9:3-5 NIV). The One who is Light spat on the dust in order to heal the beggar who had lived in continual darkness (9:6- 7).

Remember also that the name Adam meant "ground, or dirt." And notice the parallel here, how the Adamic nature is immediately transformed and able to SEE! ("Redeemed dirt" became filled with the indwelling LIFE contained in His saliva.) Blindness opposes, resists, or disagrees with the crucial ways & timing of the Kingdom.

This healing would have the momentum and spiritual force to blast the once-blind man beyond traditional mindsets and leave him mentality awakened to the irresistible possibility of unlimited sight.

(9:8-12) The second stated purpose for this healing was so that it would be a "witness to this land and people." We read how the incredulous neighbors couldn't "believe their eyes" (9:8-9). This miracle provided an observable purpose-driven advance of the Kingdom into their midst.

Most miracles of Jesus were accomplished on the Sabbath (which is the 7th day from Adam (3rd day from the cross).

(9:13-27) Immediately, the fault-finding religious leaders asked how this healing could have happened on the Sabbath (when Jews were forbidden to "work")? (Type of seventh day/third day healing.) The Pharisees tried to get the now-seeing man to denounce Jesus (9:24). But instead, he infuriated them with his first-hand testimony, "One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I SEE!" (9:25). Then... he ironically asked them if they also wanted to be Jesus' disciples (9:26-27)!

(9:28-29) Suddenly, the once-blind man became the religious instructor of the Pharisees! He fearlessly declared that they must be blind not to SEE the truth (9:30-33). With that, the Pharisees angrily excommunicated him (9:34). This man was excluded from his past routines because he no longer saw (viewed) things like he did before. There was a total separation from the previous religious system.

Warning! Finding your new in-SIGHT will also exclude you from most of your previous relationships. (9:35-41) Notice how right after Jesus explained that He was the Son of Man (9:38), there was a continued process of greater clarity of vision. Jesus explained how the light from God blinds the eyes of those who rejected it (9:39). The Pharisees were shocked: "What? Are we blind too?" (9:40). Jesus answered that because they claimed NOT to be blind, their sin (and darkness) remained (9:41).

The beggar was both physically and spiritually healed, while the physically sighted "spiritual leaders" plunged deeper and deeper into the darkness of being wise in their own eyes. This story points out that EVERYONE HAS THE potential ABILITY TO SEE INTO THE ETERNAL REALMS. But because these Pharisees were spiritually blind, they failed to discern (SEE) who Jesus really was. The eyes of their hearts (faith) were closed.

Then the eyes of THOSE WHO SEE will no longer be closed... (Is. 32:3 NIV)

TO KNOW HIM

In Philippians 3:5-10, Paul gives expression to the fact that there is much that can be apprehended and experienced beyond that which he had previously known.

"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death...not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:10, 12

He has come to know that the Lord can be personally, intimately known.

Paul said, "That I might know Him." This is a "knowing" that transcends all religious doctrine and activities, and finds its fulfillment in deep personal communion with the Lord. It includes not only information about Jesus, but an ongoing involvement with Him, as He leads and directs. We must first come to Jesus, before we can be sent.

"Come, My beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give you My love." Song of Solomon 7:11-12

"The power of His resurrection" can only be experienced after we have surrendered the totality of our being to the Lord, and died to our self-life and ways. Only then can we identify ourselves with Jesus in the "power of His resurrection."

This will lead us toward a place of identification with Jesus that few experience - "The fellowship of His sufferings." Examples of this are the sufferings of the Lord over lost humanity, and the dullness of our spiritual hearing NOT EXPERIENCING HIS SUFFERINGS AGAIN AT CALVARY FOR HE SAID HIMSELF, "IT IS FINISHED."

He desires our fellowship and longs that we come to Him. He has a purpose for each of our lives.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

We may not understand how the Lord becomes personally interested in us - as though we were the only person in the universe, and how He has a special purpose and calling for each of us.

When we are too dull of hearing to respond, and as a result, come short of all He intends, He suffers; for as a loving Father He longs for us to come into the best, just as we desire the best for our children.

When Paul became aware of the possibility of entering into an active relationship with the Lord in communion and fellowship, he counted all else as refuse 9dung) and began to seek that for which he had been "apprehended" by the Lord. The desire for spiritual reality became the priority of his life.

"If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead." Philippians 3:11

Paul was not expressing a concern about losing his salvation. Rather, there is a much deeper meaning that speaks of a "resurrection" from the natural course of our life experience, into the realm where the Lord uniquely puts His hand upon us and lifts us into an active, cooperative relationship with Him.

The result is our inner being is changed and prepared to become a usable vessel in the hands of the Lord - that the riches of His presence, with the transformation of lives that is presently taking place, might have its full outworking.

"For many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14

There is another way to say this. "Many are called, but few will pay the price in order to be chosen."

NEVER QUOTE ROMANS 8:28 WITHOUT THE PRECEDING VERSES."(Rom 8:26-27) Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And He searching the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (BECAUSE OF OUR PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT)...we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

I WANT TO KNOW HIM SO I CAN BE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. WHAT ABOUT YOU?