Bible Message/Preaching : Restoring the Body of Christ
18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
(2 Cor 5:18)
15"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
16"But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'
17"And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. (Mt 18:15 - 17)
What causes dis-unity in a family?
What happens when something goes wrong in the family?
How can we reconcile?
Having human weakness makes us prone to friction and troubles with each other.
18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a TRUE heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:18-25)
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. (Rom 12:9-16 )
4 levels of fellowship
fellowship of sharing
fellowship of studying the Word
fellowship of serving the Lord
fellowship of suffering! Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, byx any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Phil 3:8-11)
23 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Mt 5:23-24)
Mt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God
He didn't say peace lovers, I believe all love peace! Peacemaking is hard work, are we willing to work for it?
Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict nor appeasement (giving-in like a door-mat)! Jesus even provoked!
Ask God First
Take the initiative
Sympathise with their feeling
Confess your part of the problem
Attack the problem not the person
Cooperate as much as possible
Emphasise reconciliation not resolution
What would make it easier to share with others?
What are the barriers that keep us from caring/loving other believers?
How can we protect & promote unity of fellowship?
Focus on things we've in common and not differences
Be realistic in our expectations
Choose to encourage rather than criticize
Refuse to listen/ encourage gossip
Practice Biblical method for conflict resolution
Support the fellowship
(to be continued...)
Delivered 25 Sept 2011
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