June 14, 2020, | Pastor Nathan Elms
The apostle Paul talks about the ministry of reconciliation. We have been reconciled to God, and now we preach reconciliation.
First, let's talk about what God has done for us. Sin comes with a curse... that curse is death…
The death of Jesus has cured the curse of sin, the curse of the law...
In fact, you will notice in verse 18 that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. At the end of verse 19, it says that he has committed to us the word of reconciliation. In verse 20, it says we are ambassadors—that is, we take this message, this word, this ministry, to an alien land. It is our duty. It is our responsibility to tell people they can be reconciled to God. That's our mission. That's what we live to do.
Let's begin by recognizing the Law of Lamech.
Gen 4:23-24
Lamech killed a man for wounding him and then said that he would seek revenge 77 times over against anyone who hurts him.
You cannot be a recipient of reconciliation without being a giver of reconciliation…
Jesus continues answering Peter by telling the story of the Unforgiving Servant.
Grace and forgiveness go hand in hand. They exist together. They operate together. Because God acts towards us in grace the sin barrier is removed from between him and us. This removal of the sin barrier is the fundamental meaning of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is ultimately not about grace or justice. It’s a mental health issue.
But forgiveness can feel like sacrifice... like a cross on your back... but when we bear that cross we become like Christ...
