WILDERNESS: Reconciled People Reconcile People
Pastor Brian Schafer
March 30, 2025
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2 Corinthians 5:18
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
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Big Idea Today: Jesus meets us in our wilderness so that we can meet other people in theirs.

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Sin destroys relationships and turns people against each other.
Jesus restores relationship with God and with other people. This is the MINISTRY OF RECONCILATION.
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Take your own notes here…

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Jesus is the definition of reconcilation.
Example: John 1:43-50 (The story of Jesus calling Nathanael to be His disciple)
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“Nazareth! Can anything good come from Nazareth?” - Nathanael, about Jesus
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Natnanael is pre-judging and categorizing.
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“You have never met an ordinary person. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Each person is a universe. It is a universe whom we joke with, work with, marry, and snub.”
- C.S. Lewis
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Take your own notes here…

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“Now here is a genuine son of Israel – a man of complete integrity.” (Jesus’ response to Nathanael’s prejudgment)
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How was Jesus able to RESPOND to Nathanael instead of REACTING to what Nathanael said?

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3 POSTURES OF RECONCILATION:

(1) It’s not about

Reveal Answer

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Take your own notes here…

How can I take a posture of CURIOSITY towards people with whom I disagree?

(2) Play the

Reveal Answer

game. (Be Patient)

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it. If it prospers, you too will prosper. - Jeremiah 29:7
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Take your own notes here…

(3) Who is your

Reveal Answer

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Who is the one person (or more people) in your life who does not have a relationship with Jesus? How can you pray and fast for their salvation?

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Bonus: Easter Sunday is a Sunday which most people are likely to respond to an invitation to a worship service. Who can you invite to join you on Easter? (Kids Event at 9am on April 20th. Worship Celebration at 10:30am)
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Take your own notes here…