1. RECONCILIATION BEGINS WITH REMEMBERING (Ephesians 2:11-13)

• Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
• We were:
• Far off without hope and without God in the world.
• We didn’t/couldn’t find our way back. 
• That’s a grim picture. Without Christ, we’re all outsiders—not just from each other, but from God. Sin builds a wall between us and our Creator.
• GOD BROUGHT US NEAR THROUGH JESUS.
• Eph 2:13-16 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
• 2 Cor 5:17-19 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
• God dealt with the real issue: SIN
• We could not do this ourselves so God sent His One and Only Son Jesus to die FOR US and IN OUR PLACE so we could be reconciled back into relationship with Jesus.

1. RECONCILIATION MAKES US (NEW) ONE - Not just friendly (Ephesians 2:14-16)

• Ephesians 2:14-16 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
• Don’t Miss This
• He didn’t just make things peaceful between two groups who hated one another
• God didn’t just make them get along
• God made a NEW MAN - ONE MAN
• God didn’t just settle the dispute between Jews and Gentiles
• HE CREATED SOMETHING NEW
• Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
• Imagine two steel beams connected by bolts and welding — just attached.
• Now imagine them melted down, recast, and formed into a new single beam.
• That’s what Jesus did. He didn’t patch us together—He made us one.
• Who are you keeping at arm’s length that Jesus died to make something new - ONE WITH THEM?
• In your heart, are you “at peace” with people or are you “ONE” with them?

1. THE CHURCH IS THE LIVING DISPLAY OF RECONCILIATION

• Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
• The Church is not just a gathering of individual believers - it is the evidence of true reconciliation.
• When people from different backgrounds, stories, ethnicities, and politics live in Christ-centered community, the world sees a picture of the Kingdom and true reconciliation.
• 2 Cor 5:20-21 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
• The Church doesn’t just receive reconciliation, it carries reconciliation to the world.
• Are we truly showing the world what reconciliation looks like or do we look just like the world?

1. WE ARE GIVEN THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (2 Cor 5:18-20)

• 2 Cor 5:18-20 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
• BECAUSE we have been reconciled, we are to call others into it.
• We don’t just share good morals or a good way of living - we live into and call others into true Christ-like reconciliation with God through Jesus first and then with one another.
• It begins with God: 
• 2 Cor 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
• Then with ONE ANOTHER
• Christ created the way
• We need to walk through it and reconcile with: 
• Those with whom we have had conflict
• Our enemies
• Those we hate.
• We are called to pursue reconciliation with others so we can extend reconciliation to them just as God provided it for us through Jesus.

1. STEPS OF RECONCILIATION

• BE RECONCILED TO GOD
• Romans 10:9-11 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
• This has to be present to be able to live into true, Christ-like Reconciliation
• EXAMINE YOUR HEART AND CONFESS
• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• We can’t reconcile what we won’t admit.
• We need to examine ourselves: our actions and state of heart.
• Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
• Start by acknowledging the wrong.
• Personal
• Relational
• Communal
• Pray that God would bring reconciliation and pray for strength as you step into it.
• We need to desire reconciliation in our relationships. We are made in the image of God and that is the heart of God.
• TAKE THE FIRST STEP AND INITIATE
• REPENTANCE AND HUMILITY
• Psalm 51:3-4 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
• Reconciliation isn’t demanding the other change first. It is choosing humility and owning what you have done. It is recognizing that you have:
• First sinned against God
• Then sinned against another person - at times a brother and sister of Christ
• Receive the gift of reconciliation through Jesus
• Accept His forgiveness
• FORGIVE
• Col 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
• Matt. 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
• Forgiveness is not excusing sin. It is refusing to let it control your relationship any longer nor control your emotions any longer.
• (We are discussing FORGIVENESS on Let’s Talk this coming Wednesday)
• This is where you may want to bring in a trusted third party to facilitate the process of reconciliation.
• RESTORATION AND ACTION
• Matt 5:23-24 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
• True, Christ-Like Reconciliation takes work. It is more than words. It is a restored relationship where God has and is making us ONE.
• CARRY THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION
• Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
• Reconciliation is not a one-time event. It is a lifestyle of actively following Jesus and active peacemaking in our relationships with others.

Reflection & Application Questions:

1. Have you truly experienced reconciliation with God through Jesus?
2. What dividing walls still exist in your heart toward others?
3. Who do you need to experience reconciliation in your life right now?
4. Where do you need to trade “being right” for being reconciled?
5. How does the gospel empower you to be one with others, not just at peace?
6. What would it look like for our church to be a temple of reconciliation?
7. In what ways are you carrying the ministry of reconciliation in your daily life?
8. Which step of reconciliation do you need to take this week?
9. How is your life reflecting the peace that is Jesus?
10. Who in your life is “far off” that you need to invite near?

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE READING SCRIPTURE

What does this reveal about God?

What does this reveal about you in relation to God?

What do you need to do about it?