
The Joy of Reconciled Relationships
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Choose Joy 04 | Mick Veach | lead pastor | first aired on 11.24.19
Why are there so many broken relationships in our world?
We are broken and that brokenness is spread into our:
Families Friends, Co-workers, Church familyLevels of brokenness varies:
a. No communication or relationship
b. Strained relationship—not healthy
c. Co-existing relationshipWhere did this brokenness come from?
a. Genesis 2—Adam and Eve
b. 2 Corinthians 5—Paul assumes that we are broken in our relationshipsBiblical examples of brokenness
a. Genesis 4—Cain and Abel
b. Exodus 5—Moses and Pharaoh
c. Judges 6—Gideon and the Midianites
d. Judges 15-16—Samson and the Philistines
e. I Samuel 19—Saul and DavidGod’s goal is reconciliation
Defining Reconciliation: Two parties agree to move toward forgiveness, healing and restoring their relationship
There are critical steps in this process, let’s look at them!
Steps Toward Reconciliation
I. Reconcile with
A. 2 Corinthians 5:17—When we are reconciled with God,everything is new
2 Corinthians 5:19—For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself
B. Colossians 1:22—He has reconciled YOU to Himself
- He paved the way for our relationship with Him to be possible
- The relationship was severed, but Christ built the bridge for us to cross over
- Our response:
a. Accept His forgiveness-I John 1:9
b. Engage Him—James 4:8C. Colossians 1:22—He has reconciled EVERYTHING to Himself
- Romans 8:19—Creation awaits this fulfillment
- Revelation 21—Nations and political upheaval resolved
D. God’s wrath
A limit to His patience
a. Jonah—go to Nineveh
b. Nahum—Nineveh judged by God (Jonah 1:2-3)—destructionHis ultimate judgment on Satan—Revelation 20
- His wrath is driven by His love for us
E. We are under His wrath until reconciliation occurs. If that does not occur, hell is the final destiny.
F. Biblical backing on hell
- Luke 16:19-31—Lazarus goes to heaven and the rich man to hell
- Matthew 25:46—Eternal fire
- Revelation 21:8—final destiny
G. Jesus is the only provision
- Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. – John 14:6
- Don’t assume you are reconciled with God, be assured
Key Point: Joy comes with being reconciled
- A restored heart—able to love
- Restored relationships—not under guilt
- Restored destiny—Heaven
II. Reconcile with
A. Reconciling with people is impossible without first being reconciled with God
B. 2 Corinthians 5:20—He wants to use us to help others be reconciled with God, but that can’t happen if we have broken relationships
C. Matthew 5:9—Peacemakers will be children of God
D. Mark 9:50—Live in peace with each other
E. Question: who are the people we are to reconcile with?
- Family
a. Satan’s greatest attack is to destroy the family
b. He knows that crippling us before we get started tilts things to his advantage- Friends
- Acquaintances
F. Groups also need reconciled
- Cities 2. Racial 3. Gender 4. Nations
G. Question—what if they don’t want to heal the relationship?
- It takes two to reconcile
- You are free after you try to reconcile
H. 2 Corinthians 5:18—as we reconcile with people, the result is amazing
They reconcile with God themselves
I. God’s plan is that the world will be reconciled
J. How do we do it?
- Come humbly—James 4:6
- Come loving them—Matthew 5:44
- Come to understand, before being understood—James 1:19
- Come desiring their best—Philippians 2:4
K. Results
- If they say no—you are free
- Healing begins in you and them
Key Point—Joy is evident when we are at peace with all people
III. Choose
A. Matthew 6:14-15—my own reconciliation and forgiveness with God enables me to forgive
- Validates if I’ve been truly reconciled to God
- Many say they are reconciled with God but don’t desire to do it with people
B. We must choose to forgive even when they don’t desire our forgiveness
C. The result of forgiveness:
- It impacts them
- It impacts me
- It impacts God’s relationship with us
- Frees us from spiritual strongholds
D. Romans 5:11—forgiveness allows us to be friends of God
E. Reconciliation is a scary place to go because of the possibility of rejection
F. Forgiveness says:
- I don’t condone what you’ve done
- I choose not to be controlled by it
Key Point—Forgiveness grants us joy, peace and freedom
Call to Action
- Choose to be reconciled with God
- Engage with the person God is speaking to you about forgiving
- Forgive whomever the Spirit leads you to forgive
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