Road to Reconciliation
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· 5 viewsGod created us after His own image. We are predestined to conform to the purpose of His will. However, the fall of mankind unreconciled us with God. God gave mankind a chance through Noah. He pursued us through the patriarch, through the judges, kings and prophets. Until ultimately, He finally gave His only Son. The arrival of the Messiah, which we celebrate on Christmas day, paved the "Road to Reconciliation". Repentance leads to Reconciliation with God. Overcoming our pride. Admitting our faults and Developing our sincerity. #therealpurposeofChristmas
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Opening
Opening
Still in our month-long series entitled “iShare”, we continue to seek & share “The Real Purpose of Christmas”
At this point, we should have rose above the shallow descriptions that the world is trying to impute on “Christmas”
They watered down the true spirit and meaning of Christmas
Banning in many places the utterance of the rightful greetings for the season which is “Merry Christmas”
And modified it to “Happy Holidays!”
But, here in Agape we joyfully say, “Merry Christmas”… turn to your neighbors and say, “Merry Christmas!”
BREATHE!
When the “Sign was Given”, we saw the “willingness” of Mary
When “He accepted Jesus as His Son”, we saw the “acceptance of Joseph
These taught us “Willingness to Accept” everything that God puts in our way
And the “Arrival of the Messiah”, which we celebrate on Christmas, paved the “Road to Reconciliation”
And the “Arrival of the Messiah” gave us great the reason for our celebration, which is our salvation
BREATHE!
As you turn your Bible to , let me bring you back to the very beginning when God created us
Text: The Ministry of Reconciliation ()
Text: The Ministry of Reconciliation ()
God created us after His own image
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
We are predestined to conform to the purpose of His will
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
However, the “fall” of mankind in Genesis chapter 3 “unreconciled” us with God our Creator
It is the sin and wickedness of the world that has “unreconciled” us from God
God gave mankind a chance through Noah
He pursued us through the Patriarch, through the Judges and Kings and Prophets
Until ultimately, He finally gave His only Son
BREATHE!
The “Arrival of the Messiah”, which we celebrate on Christmas day, paved the “Road to Reconciliation”
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
-19
BREATHE!
Christmas paved the “Road to Reconciliation”
Christmas paved the “Road to Reconciliation”
Reconciliation with the God above us, and the people around us
Repentance Leads to Reconciliation with God
In the second letter of Peter to a group of believers, he urge them to grow and persevere in light of some false teachers
He warned them that these scoffers will mock them about the second coming
And reminded them not to forget that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
In the second letter of Peter to a group of believers, he urge them to grow and persevere in light of some false teachers
He warned them that these scoffers will mock them about the second coming
And reminded them not to forget that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day
Overcome your Pride
Pride is the major counter factor of reconciliation
It is the nemesis of “peace”
In fact, God treats us with even greater kindness, just as the Scriptures say, “God opposes everyone who is proud, but he is kind to everyone who is humble.”
Admit your Faults
Willingness to Accept if we are wrong
Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results.
Develop your Sincerity
Sincerity without truth is worthless
Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Cor
My Family’s Story of Reconciliation
- I repented from my sins
- I overcame my pride
- I admitted my faults
- I developed my sincerity
Call to Action
Call to Action
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Tonight is the eve of Christmas, go ahead and pick up your phone, call that person whom you have enmity with, and ask for apologies, or offer forgiveness and reconciliation
Or, after the church, swing by at Target and grab a Christmas card where you can you write on your offer of apologies or asking for forgiveness to solicit reconciliation
And also tonight, if there is anything that “unreconciled” you with the Lord, go to your prayer closet and seek reconciliation with God through the Lord Jesus
Prayer
Prayer