Go Be Reconciled

#7 Get Together on Lasting Solutions (Go to Be Reconciled)Peacemaker Ministries     Resolving Conflict Series

I. Recap

1. Glorify God

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

2. Get the Log out of my own eye. (my sin and contribution)

3. Gently engage others for restoration.

II. Fourth “G” – Go to Be Reconciled

1. God’s heart focuses on “reconciliation”.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

2. God’s people are to be committed to reconciling.

Matthew 5:23-24 - “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24  leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

3. Questions:

- What does “I forgive you” really mean?

- What if person has not repented?

- Does forgiveness release us of paying back our debts?

III. Forgiveness
1. NOT a feeling
2. NOT forgetting
3. NOT excusing sin

It is:
1. A decision not to hold an offense against an offender.

2 Corinthians 5:19 “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them…”

2. A two stage process:

A. Heart Component – Us and God

i. Releasing the person is not conditional on how the offender is acting or what the individual decides.
ii. Protects our heart from bitterness so the offender is not over us.
iii. Prepares us for potential reconciliation.
iv. Offender can be dead and we can still forgive.
v. Forgiveness is never in our own strength.

Matthew 18:35 - This is how My heavenly Father will treat each one of you, unless you forgive your brother from your heart.

B. Transitional Forgiveness (announcing and reconciling)

i. Announcing forgiveness to one another is key to healing.
ii. Based on confession and repentance

Luke 17:3-4 - Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

iii. Prepares us for reconciliation and a deeper relationship

IV. What Does Relational Forgiveness Mean?

1. I will not dwell on this incident.
2. I will not bring the sin up to you to hurt you.
3. I will not talk to others to hurt you.
4. I will not let this hinder our relationship.
5. Sometimes relational forgiveness is not possible.

Romans 12:18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

V. What about Forgiveness and Consequences?

1. Forgiveness does not release us from the consequences.

Exodus 22:1-2 - … “Whenever someone steals a bull or a sheep and butchers it or sells it, he must make up for the loss with five head of cattle to replace the bull or four sheep to replace the sheep.

Luke 19:8-9 - Zaccheus said to the Lord, "…Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much."

9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.

2. Sometimes we are moved to show mercy.

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV)

Luke 6:34-35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

3. Restitution is often needed for the offender’s spiritual growth.

                    Faith Sheet

 Transformation Verse - …all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, united as one man.  Judges 20:11 (NASB)

Times with the Lord this week - If you have extra time, look up the cross references with the Transformation Scripture.

#1- Reviewing this Past Sunday  

1. What did you learn about reconciliation?
2. What did you learn about the two types of forgiveness?
3. Why is it good for individuals to often pay restitution for crimes, etc.?
4. How do you go about developing solutions with those you have offended?

# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday
Overcoming Evil with Good
Peacemaker Ministries     Resolving Conflict Series

1. Read Romans 12. What truths in this passage here relate to resolving conflict?
2. When have you seen overcoming evil with good work?
3.Pray for someone you know who is in relational or spiritual bondage.