Richland Center Free Methodist Church

When we ask ourselves why reconciliation and forgiveness is not metered out fairly and with Christian love, we need to realize that what we are in reality saying is that there is something more important to us than reconciliation and forgiveness: mainly our idols!

In our scripture lesson today, Paul shows us that idolatry is not just one kind of sin but what is fundamentally wrong with the human heart. Because there are idols in our lives and heart we find we cannot reconcile or forgive; something else has become more important to us than God’s callings and commands.

1. Idolatry is always the reason we do everything we do wrong. (Romans 1:20)
2. God’s power has always been seen so man has no excuse. (Romans 1:20)
3. Although man knows God, many choose not to glorify Him and therefore remain foolish, disobedient and in darkness. (Romans 1:21-22)
4. They exchange God’s glory and eternal life for images made by man that seem to have secular importance. (Romans 1:23)
5. Therefore, because of their idolatry, God gave them over to the desires of their hearts which leads to the degrading of their bodies and lives. (Romans 1:24)
6. They exchanged the truth of God for the lies of men. (Romans 1:24)
7. They worshiped their idols instead of their God and lost their eternal and earthly way. (Romans 1:25)

In today’s world, relationships are often contingent upon happiness instead of God’s joy.

• If I could have anything in the world what would it be and how long would it make me happy?
• Do I know what would really make me happy?

If reconciliation, forgiveness and happiness seem to avoid you, perhaps it is time to be honest and take a good look at the idols in our lives. What are we putting before God? Are we letting the idols of work, security, health, pride, family, control and relationships come before God?

Lose the idols and keep God first in your lives. Put God first in all things and be willing to reconcile, forgive, love and live, and accept God’s blessing of total Godly Joy!

1. One party is not willing to confess their sins to God or Man
2. One party is not willing to give or accept forgiveness from God or Man.
3. One or both parties are not willing to establish a new relationship between the parties.

Reconciliation and forgiveness means establishing a new relationship between parties!

Bible Study: “Walking in the Light”

1. God is the light and there is no darkness in Him. (1 John 1:5)
2. If we claim the fellowship with God and yet walk in darkness we are liars. (1 John 5:6)
3. If we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another and we are purified from all sin and grudges. (1 John 5:7)
4. If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves. (1 John 5:8)
5. If we confess our sins God is just and faithful and forgives our sins. (1 John 5:9)
6. If we claim to have no sin we make a liar out of God. (1 John 5:10)
7. His Word is no longer within us. (1 John 5:10)

When forgiveness doesn’t work we have refused to start a new relationship.

1. Forgiveness is always granted so all sinners may be brought back to alignment with God. (Galatians 6:1)
2. We are all called to win our brothers back to Christ. (Matthew 18:15)
3. Forgiveness or reconciliation is NEVER about your feelings but about obedience to God’s commands.
4. Forgiveness and reconciliation marks the end of an old relationship and the beginning of a new one.

So what are we to do if the other party won’t forgive or reconcile?

1. Ask ourselves, “Have we honestly done everything we could do?”
2. Continue to pray for the other party.
3. Continue to live our lives in alignment with God’s Word, Will and Way.
4. Be ready for every opportunity and NEVER GIVE UP!
5. Accept God’s peace.

God calls us to be His Light within the world for all to see! Keep that light shining; love each other enough to forgive and reconcile! Love each other enough to truly love each other. –Matthew 22:37-39– All true Christian relationships hang upon these two commandments; in obedience to them we become God’s true light in the darkness!

1. Reconciliation is needed because there are things that will cause people to sin.  (Luke 17:1-2)
2. Therefore we are called to watch ourselves. (Luke 17:3a)
3. If our brother sins rebuke him. If he repents forgive him; even seven times in one day! (Luke 17:3b-4)
   • Repentance is not contingent upon immediate fruit; nor should forgiveness.  Reconciliation and forgiveness are processes; matters of sin, faith and duty which lead to obedience in forgiving others.
   • We are to forgive and reconcile with others because God calls us in obedience to His plan and if we don’t or wont we are not worthy to worship.(Matthew 5:23-24)
4. Disciples respond by asking for an increase of faith but Jesus did not accept their excuses. (Luke 17:5)
5. Jesus instead called the disciples to obedience based on the size of a mustard seed.  (Luke 17:6)
6. Jesus gives them the story of the obedient servant. (Luke 17:7-9)
7. Jesus compares the servant to us doing our Christian duty. (Luke 17:10)

Ministry and true obedience to God will demand a life of sacrifice. What have we been sacrificing for God/Christ? When Christians quarrel, gossip and offend one another we allow loose ends to rob the church of strength and the ability to unite for God’s will.

In order to strengthen the church and its people there must be present a total, truthful and real desire for reconciliation and forgiveness amongst God’s people. Reconciliation and forgiveness are totally new relationships that are established through our personal confession of sin and repentance and through forgiveness by God and Man.

We are called to reconcile and forgive amongst ourselves in obedience to God’s love and sacrifice for His creation; to do less weakens the church and every congregation. Do you have someone to forgive? Are you still holding a grudge? Let it go now and receive God’s blessing. In obedience you will be blessed!

We have taken a spiritual journey to Bethlehem to find:

1. The Faith of Christmas
2. The Promise of Christmas
3. The Peace of Christmas
4. The Christ of Christmas

Q: Where will we go now in our faith journey?

I) What is Our Calling as Disciples of Christ?

1. Our first and primary calling is to be a follower, a Disciple, of Christ. This is what God calls every person to be; a person who trusts in and follows Jesus’ commands.
2. Q: What is happening in Matthew 4?  Answer: Jesus, the Savior the people have been waiting for, calls Peter & Andrew to “come follow me.” Likewise with the other disciples!
3. Obedience is a big deal to God!

II) How is God calling you to go further in your Christian journey? (Luke 5:1-11)

1. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Peter (Simon), Andrew, James & John all hear Jesus preaching to the crowd.
2. When Jesus addresses Peter & Andrew, Peter responds & calls Jesus master.
   Peter is already beginning to recognize Jesus’ authority through His preaching.
3. As Jesus performs the fish miracle, He gives them even more of a glimpse of His power & authority.

Q: How did they respond when Jesus commands them to follow Him?
A: Without delay, they obeyed & followed Him.

Q: What is God calling you to be and do this year? How can you further the Word of God in your own life and in our community?

Q: In what way is Christ calling you to be more committed disciples; to further your commitment in serving Him and advancing His kingdom?

We must make Goals for moving forward in our Faith Journey. This is not a New Years Resolution sermon; it is about COMMITMENT! What can we do to further our commitment to the Word of God; to serving the Lord; to commit ourselves following and obeying God’s call in our life?

I challenge everyone here, to discover what God is calling you to be and do for this coming year, and make sure you obey it when you discover what that calling is.  Are you a shareholder in what you believe?