RECONCILIATION JESUS ’08!

Reconciliation? What is it? The term reconciliation implies conflict, strife, struggle, and enmity. You cannot be reconciled if you aren’t at odds No one denies our world needs reconciliation With who? How? When? Is it Possible?

What is Reconciliation? Three attempts Thich Nhat Hanh Dalai Lama Corazin Aquino “Reconciliation is to understand both sides; to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side.” “War seems to be part of the history of humanity. As we look at the situation of our planet in the past, countries, regions and even villages were economically independent of one another. Under those circumstances, the destruction of our enemy might have been a victory for us. There was a a relevance to violence and war. However, today we are so interdependent that the concept of war has become out dated. When we face problems or disagreements today, we have to arrive at solutions through dialogue. Dialogue is the only appropriate method. One-sided victory is no longer relevant. We must work to resolve conflicts in a spirit of reconciliation and always keep in mind the interests of others. We cannot destroy our neighbors! We cannot ignore their interests! Doing so would ultimately cause us to suffer. I therefore think that the concept of violence is now unsuitable. Nonviolence is the appropriate method.” “Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice, otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace it shouldn't be peace at any cost but peace based on principle, on justice.” 3

Why Reconciliation? While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'  "But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king. He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it...”

Why Reconciliation? "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them— bring them here and kill them in front of me." Luke 19:11-27

Why Reconciliation? The Old Testament Isaiah 5 The Song of the Vineyard  1 I will sing for the one I love        a song about his vineyard:        My loved one had a vineyard        on a fertile hillside.  2 He dug it up and cleared it of stones        and planted it with the choicest vines.        He built a watchtower in it        and cut out a winepress as well.        Then he looked for a crop of good grapes,        but it yielded only bad fruit.  3 "Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah,        judge between me and my vineyard.  4 What more could have been done for my vineyard        than I have done for it?        When I looked for good grapes,        why did it yield only bad?”

Why Reconciliation?  5 Now I will tell you        what I am going to do to my vineyard:        I will take away its hedge,        and it will be destroyed;        I will break down its wall,        and it will be trampled.  6 I will make it a wasteland,        neither pruned nor cultivated,        and briers and thorns will grow there.        I will command the clouds        not to rain on it."  7 The vineyard of the LORD Almighty        is the house of Israel,        and the men of Judah        are the garden of his delight.        And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed;        for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.”

Why Reconciliation? We are at enmity with God Doesn’t matter what we do besides this Heaven can be no consolation to us if God is our enemy!

The New Testament and Reconciliation “But the contention stands, namely, that reconciliation provides a suitable umbrella under which the main features of Paul’s [preaching] and its practical outworking may be set” Dictionary of Paul and His Letters Focus on a theme: ROMANS

Background of Romans Who? Paul: The Church in Rome Apostle to the Gentiles Traveling Preacher One who has seen the Gospel work A man who knows suffering The Church in Rome Founded @ Pentecost No Apostolic Guidance Little Formal Discipleship

Background of Romans Where and Why? Corinth Paul’s travelling to Jerusalem, hoping to visit Rome He doesn’t know them, their faith, or anything about them Writes the most basic and central truths he can think of

Romans chs 1-5 “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe, for the Jew first, and then for the Gentile. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith” Romans 1:16-17 Why is the gospel so powerful? What is revealed in vs 18?

Righteousness and Wrath “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Roms 1:18 What is it revealed against? What does that look like? Who specifically is Paul speaking about? (vs 21-23)

Wrath Against Pagans Immoral Conservative and Liberal What does God’s wrath look like for them? Romans 1:28-32 What do the pious Jews think about this?

Wrath for the Moral “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” Romans 2:1 Who is this speaking to? What is he saying? Romans 2:5 Who receives wrath? Who (in this room) does “O man” refer to? Self-righteous

Wrath for Moral and Immoral What is Paul’s conclusion? Romans 2:21 Who is sinful? Jew or Gentile? Religious or Atheist? Socialist or Capitalist? Romans 3:9 “What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin.” Who is under God’s wrath?

Situation: Enmity What is our relationship to God? Who is He to us? Enemy!

Reconcilation: What is it? Romans 3:21-25 “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…” How justified are we?

Reconciliation: What is it? Romans 5:1-11 What words does Paul use to describe what Christ has done for us? Peace with God Access by faith Justified Saved from God’s wrath RECONCILED

Reconciliation: What is it? How are we reconciled? “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself” 2 Corinthians 5:8 “…We were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…” Romans 5:10 “…he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death…” Colossians 1:22 Who reconciles us? “that is, in Christ God was reconciling[1] the world to himself” Colossians 1:22 To what end does he reconcile us? Colossians 1:22 “…in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him”

Where are we now? Romans 6:1 Romans 6:15 What is Paul saying? Why is he asking this? What is his response? Romans 6:15 Reconciliation Changes People! 2 Corinthians 5:17-18