Pastor Rick Jackson
The word reconciliation (katallasso or a form thereof) means
to change thoroughly, to be changed thoroughly. Christ is in the work of
changing! Not Him, he never changes [Hebrews 13:8] and needs not to change. But
us and the universe, as we shall see.
I. IT IS A COMPLETED
WORK [v. 20, Hebrews 10:12]
"And, having made peace..." "It is finished!"
Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
II. IT IS A COSTLY
WORK [v. 20] "through the blood of his cross"
I Peter 1:18-19
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot:
The paramount
difference between Christianity and pagan religions is that Christianity has a
God who SHED His blood in love for a lost world, while the pagan gods are
continually calling for blood... the blood of the people who worship a stone
god that cannot see, hear, nor speak. Our God, gave His own blood -once for
all, forever, never to be repeated; but the poor heathen returns again and
again and again with blood, blood, and more blood! - Oliver B. Greene
III. IT IS CHRIST’S
WORK [v. 20] "by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him I
say,"
Eph. 2:13-19 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were
far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath
made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments
contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making
peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,
having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were
afar off, and to them that were nigh.
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
IV. IT IS A
COMPREHENSIVE WORK [v. 20] "whether they be things in earth, or things
in heaven."
Rom. 8:21-23 Because the creature itself also shall be
delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the
children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in
pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting
for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and
on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are
in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto
him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
V. IT IS A
CHANGE-INDUCING WORK [v. 21-22, 13, 2 Corinthians 5:17]
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
VI. IT IS A
CONTINUING WORK [v. 23]
It is completed and done but it has set us on the path of
new life in Jesus Christ! We also look forward to the new bodies He has
purchased for us!
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved
by his life.
II Cor. 5:18-20 And all things are of God, who hath
reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us
the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though
God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to
God.
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