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.
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