Where do we start when telling others about what the cross means to us? I will start with a word: "reconciliation." Webster's Dictionary: "To make friendly again, to adjust or to settle, to harmonize...." It should humble us that Jesus had to die on the cross for us to be reconciled to God. We cannot be reconciled by works, religion, or anything else except through Christ.
I. "To reconcile to Himself all things..." By the cross, we can be reconciled to God. A. The relationship broken by sin has been healed by the cross. 1. In the place of condemnation there is forgiveness. 2. In the place of brokenness, there is healing. 3. In the place of contamination, there is cleansing. B. On the cross, Jesus reached out and took our hands and joined to the hand of God. ONLY JESUS COULD DO THIS! C. Because of the cross we can be at one with God..... II. Ephesians 2:14-18 - By the cross we can be reconciled to each other. A. The rift between Jews and Gentiles was healed in Jesus. Both have one Savior. B. The rifts between people can be healed. 1. It is true of races. 2. It is true of personalities. ("personality conflicts") 3. It is true of denominations. 4. It is true of nations. C. Because of the cross, we can be reconciled to each other. III. By the cross we can be reconciled to ourselves. A. Self-acceptance is a big thing today. The same thing that brings acceptance with god and others, brings self- acceptance. B. It is complete acceptance: 1. Because of the cross, we can forgive ourselves. 2. Because of the cross, we can be at peace within ourselves. 3. Because of the cross, we can live life to the fullest. Galatians 2:20 C. The first person we have to deal with is ourselves, and the cross enables us to do this. We claim this reconciliation by our faith in Jesus Christ. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
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One of Paul's favorite statements is "in Christ." When we are saved we are in Christ and Christ is in us through the Holy Spirit. In these verses, Paul tells us what we are and what we have in Christ.
I. Vs. 17 - We are new creations. A. A new way of looking at God. B. A new way of looking at life. C. A new way of looking at people. D. A new way of looking at the future. II. Vs. 18a - We are reconciled. A. This means we have been forgiven. B. This means that we have been justified. C. This means that we have been sanctified. D. This means that we are His servants. III. Vss. 18b-19 - We are reconcilers. A. We have the "ministry of reconciliation." We are called to call people to the reconciliation that we have. We are not to keep it to ourselves. B. We have been given the "word of reconciliation." The gospel contained in the Bible. C. In Christ we have a story to tell, a story that will help others be reconciled. D. Are you carrying out your ministry of reconciliation with the word of reconciliation. IV. Vs. 20 - We are ambassadors. A. Ambassadors do not go to other countries to tell what's on their minds, what is on their country's, their president's mind. B. We have a message of reconciliation to share that is from God, not from us. C. If we don't share it who will. D. It is not a matter of whether or not you want to be Christ ambassador. If you are saved, you are His ambassador. We are all of this in Christ. Does this describe you? |
All of these materials are free of charge. There is no copyright on them and you are free to use them as you see fit. I am happy to be of assitance to you in your preaching/teaching minstry.
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