Reconciliation with God.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] All right, go ahead and have a seat welcome to Village Church [0:03] If this is your first time here, my name’s Steve [0:05] I’m one of the pastors here at Village and if you have your Bible go ahead and open them to Romans chapter 5 [0:11] We’re gonna be starting in verse 9 this week over the last few weeks [0:16] We’ve been taking a look at the hope that the gospel gives us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [0:24] And really the first few chapters of Romans

[0:27] Emphasize the greatness of the gospel in [0:32] Bringing us redemption from our sins [0:34] and so it gives us a perspective of what life is like without Christ and why you are guilty why you are in need of [0:43] the forgiveness that Jesus offers and then he transitions into [0:47] explaining that you need faith that you need to trust God for the things that he has [0:53] And the things that he has promised are greater than anything that you could want in this world anything that you could seek apart from his promises

[1:01] And he explains to us what that faith in Jesus looks like in our lives [1:06] And this week what he’s going to transition into is what we’re gonna be talking about really for the next three weeks [1:13] And that is we’re going to again return to the topic of sin and but it’s from a different perspective [1:18] This time what Paul wants to do is he wants to explain to you how you as a believer [1:26] should view sin and [1:29] What the relationship between you in light of your faith in the gospel will look like in a sinful world?

[1:38] And he begins to explain it today by [1:40] reminding you once again continuing that cycle that chapter 4 and chapter 5 have of [1:46] reminding you to not forget the great price that was paid by Jesus for your [1:52] Redemption and how wonderful it is to be [1:55] reconciled with God in a world that is not just cursed by sin [2:00] But a world that is also filled with sinners and so in our life with Jesus and having the mission of

[2:09] Taking this good news of faith in Jesus to a world filled with sinners [2:14] We must constantly be reminded of how it is that God himself views sin [2:20] So that we may also have not just a similar view of sin [2:25] But the same view of sin that God has and we must treat sin in the same way that God treats sin [2:32] And so that that’s specifically what Paul’s going to talk about this week [2:36] And remember he’s jumping off of the greatest reality that we can ever know in our lives in verse 8

[2:43] He tells us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us that God sacrificed his life [2:51] to save us [2:54] From paying what we owe for our sin [2:56] And if we had to pay what we owe for our sin understand that we would be paying for an eternity [3:04] And still then have an eternity to pay for our sin [3:08] Because we have such a debt to God we have such a price to pay to God for our sin that it would literally take us an

[3:15] unending eternity in order to be able to pay that debt off, but then when we see God’s [3:22] Abundant love in the fact that Jesus pays this debt [3:26] For those who are sinners against God it begs a few questions [3:30] That needs to be asked and the world is asking and quite often [3:35] We have answers to questions [3:37] They’re not gonna ask and we don’t have the answers for the questions that they do ask and we kind of balk

[3:42] And we kind of get afraid to open our mouths because we don’t really know the definition of some of the things that we have [3:48] So we just really start throwing some stuff out there [3:50] That that isn’t very helpful to the world and sometimes the things that we throw out there are things that really reveal what we’re really [3:57] Believing God for in our lives and the things that we’re believing God for in our lives often don’t have anything to do with God is [4:02] Actually promised to give us in our lives [4:05] And so what we do is is instead of revealing to the world a hope that will not put us to shame

[4:11] Or as the NIV says a hope that will not disappoint us [4:15] We throw things out there to the world. That’s a hope things that we’re hopeful for that will end up putting us to shame [4:20] And so what I really want to do and what Paul is really doing [4:24] For the rest of Romans chapter 5 is he is helping you [4:29] Gain the ability to defend what the faith really is about in a world that will be [4:36] Aggressively against what the faith is about but you will be able to do it in love because it

[4:42] represents this great love that we talked about last week in verses 6 through 8 a love in which a debt is owed to God and [4:50] God himself comes and he fully pays that debt off for us [4:54] But then we have to ask why then was it necessary that Jesus must die? [4:59] And why then was Jesus’s death? [5:02] Sufficient then to pay the debt for the sin that we owe to God [5:08] There’s two things that you’re gonna see in this passage today

[5:11] They’re gonna help us explain that and the first thing is something that really is [5:16] Timely in the culture that we’re in right now [5:18] So the first thing that you’re gonna see in this passage is that sin causes us [5:23] This is not the first point by the way if you’re doing the slides sin causes us [5:27] To be enemies of God [5:29] But the second thing that you’re gonna see is that God has paid the full price

[5:34] For your relationship with him to be reconciled if you believe [5:38] You know, it’s one thing to know that Jesus died for you, but it is quite another thing to fully [5:45] appreciate and [5:47] fully find joy in the price that was paid for the [5:52] Relationship for you that has been fully and forever [5:55] Reconciled so that your joy may be found full in God

[5:59] Those are two different things and I think many people that are attempting to walk the Christian life [6:05] Probably many of you are walking in full knowledge of what Jesus has done for you, you know the facts [6:14] But I’m not convinced that many people who claim to know the facts [6:19] Treasure the reality of what [6:23] Reconciliation with God has actually earned you what Jesus has actually [6:30] Purchased for you and so you can know the facts but not live in the joy

[6:35] But what following Jesus is and what faith really is is [6:41] walking in a life of joy [6:44] Because you’re constantly [6:45] Reflecting upon the price that was paid to give you [6:49] Reconciliation with God in a world that will tell you that you’re not reconciled with God [6:54] But Jesus has secured it and it is yours for eternity. So look in Romans chapter 5 starting in verse 9

[7:02] In verse 9 it says since therefore and remember whenever that term therefore is there [7:07] It’s reminding you back of what he’s talked about [7:09] So he’s just talked about for really over a chapter [7:13] He’s talked about this redemption that we have in Jesus and then he brings it to that conclusion in verse 8 when he says that [7:19] You were a sinner yet Christ in your rebellion came and gave his very life for you [7:27] So you’re saying because that is true

[7:29] This is what that causes in your life [7:32] This is that we have now been justified by his blood past tense [7:38] So he’s now speaking to the one who’s seen the reality of verse 8 and said I’m gonna put my faith in that

[7:45] And so after you’ve put your faith in that you’ve been justified by what by the blood of Jesus [7:51] He says much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God [7:57] For a while we were enemies. We were reconciled to God by the death of his son much more [8:04] Now that we are reconciled shall we be saved by his life more than that [8:10] We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ [8:15] Through whom we have now received

[8:18] reconciliation [8:19] So he constantly in this phrase. I mean, it’s just it’s three verses [8:24] What you’re gonna see today is these verses are so full of rich [8:29] Definitions of what following Jesus is all about that he’s telling you about a lifetime of [8:36] reflecting in the joy of reconciliation [8:38] Which is the greatest joy that you will ever know in your life

[8:42] So in your pursuit of joy, I want you to understand one thing today [8:46] That you will never find the joy that you are looking for in all of the things of this world that you’re pursuing [8:54] You will never find it. I can make you that promise because I believe the gospel [8:58] But in light of the gospel the one thing that is guaranteed to give you joy through faith [9:06] Is the fact that you have a reconciled relationship with God? [9:13] through the work of Jesus Christ

[9:16] But before he gets to that he explains one thing he explains the cost [9:21] He talks about two things that I want to discuss with you guys [9:25] He talks about the wrath of God and he talks about being an enemy of God [9:29] So number one this morning understand that sin [9:32] Causes you causes us to be enemies of God [9:37] That is something that we’re not

[9:41] Fans of saying because that’s not something that’s really a glad reality [9:46] Nobody walks around unless they’re really really dead in their sins and says well, thank God. I am an enemy of God [9:52] Or rather thank me. I’m an enemy of God [9:56] I’m gonna walks around on a glad reality [9:58] I don’t say that as if this is some thing that you look at and you’re glad about and you’re happy about that [10:04] There’s wrath that people are enemies of God and sin has done that because I don’t think that’s why he’s explaining it to us

[10:11] Because he’s coming on the other side saying look back at where you were and then consider now because of Jesus where you are [10:20] But in that same light he’s also saying look now at where you are and look also [10:27] Where others still are? [10:30] That sin is a reality in this world. He spent chapters [10:36] Unfolding that they also goes in and he says sin is still a reality in this world that there is [10:43] Wrath that God has for sin

[10:46] against people

[10:51] This is what’s so offensive about the gospel [10:55] Romans 5 1 at the very beginning of this chapter begins by explaining that we have peace with God [11:00] Because we’ve been justified by our faith and so at the very beginning of the chapter. He’s focusing on our part [11:07] He says you’re gonna be justified when you believe in Jesus [11:11] That’s the only part that you pay you believe you trust you’re justified you have peace [11:18] But now he’s going in a different direction. He’s saying I want to talk about the part that God plays

[11:25] So your justification brings peace through faith your justification also cost him his life through his blood [11:33] And so your sin was something that cost God dearly and it is the price that was owed [11:41] shows us the severity of how God views sin [11:47] But there are still many [11:49] Who will face the wrath of God and there are many according to verse 10 [11:56] And this is what is the most unpleasant aspect for us to consider is that there are many who are

[12:03] Considered by God to be his enemies [12:08] That is what is so forgiveness. I mean excuse me [12:12] What is so offensive is that when you tell someone God offers you forgiveness [12:16] In light of the gospel you’re thinking amazing joy [12:22] But the undercurrent of that and the thing that comes along with telling someone they can be forgiven is one reality [12:29] That they have something they need to be forgiven of and we live in a culture that refuses to admit that

[12:37] You cannot treasure forgiveness until you realize why you need it [12:43] Because you have sinned against a holy and righteous God [12:46] Here’s how Isaiah 59 2 puts it says but your iniquities your sin [12:51] Have made a separation between you and your God and your sins have hidden his face from you [12:59] So that he does not hear

[13:03] If you read the entire chapter of Isaiah 59, we don’t have time for that this morning [13:08] But what is offered to us is this reality that sin is found to be abhorrent and [13:14] Despicable in God’s eyes because it is the opposite of who he is [13:20] And that he will not dare even allow it to be in his holy presence [13:25] And it says in this text that he will not even hear

[13:30] Because of your sin that does not sound like somebody that you’re in a very good relationship with [13:35] The person won’t even open their ears to hear what you’re saying to them [13:40] Does that sound like you guys are in a friendly, you know condition? No, it sounds like your enemies [13:46] And that’s what Romans chapter 5 right here is saying God’s relationship with those who have sinned against him is like [13:54] This is the bad news though that gives way to good news in order to treasure [14:01] Salvation you must understand your great need of salvation

[14:07] But ignoring the bad news doesn’t help the good news [14:11] It actually makes the good news completely irrelevant and unnecessary [14:16] So what I mean to tell you in point one this morning is that there is a growing issue [14:21] Within our culture as well as within the Church of Jesus Christ that the offense of the gospel [14:27] Needs to be watered down in order to not offend the one in need of redemption [14:32] But when you do that understand friend that you are also removing their understanding that they need redemption

[14:40] Without sin, why would you need redemption? [14:44] Without offense, why would you need reconciliation? [14:47] Without a debt, why would you have anything that Jesus paid for you? [14:51] So therefore when we look to the world and we say Jesus saves they say so what? [14:57] I don’t have anything I need to be saved from [15:00] If I’m a good person

[15:02] The one the world do I need him for he’s irrelevant [15:06] And so when we look at a sinful world

[15:12] And we say I just want to focus on the niceties

[15:17] They look at us and they say well then what you’ve got is completely irrelevant [15:22] I don’t want it and so when we try to remove [15:28] The offense

[15:31] We become crazy uncle Joe nobody listens crazy uncle Joe because he’s got nothing good to offer

[15:40] And this is where we find ourselves in trying to figure out how do we take the good news to a culture that doesn’t want it [15:47] We take it with faith that there is a sovereign God who will win

[15:52] No matter what the cost [15:54] We offer it [15:56] We are entering into a hard time in our culture [16:00] The answer is not friends to applaud despicable acts and despicable ceremonies

[16:09] Friends I tell you there’s a difference between

[16:13] Offering a meal [16:14] To a sinner and hope that a relationship is built and standing beside that same sinner as he offers the ceremony [16:20] That is completely abhorrent to God and applaud his sin [16:24] One is kind the other is idolatry

[16:33] Friends we must not water down the ultimate reality that God’s wrath is on the sin as well as the sinner

[16:43] In light of the gospel and the debt that must be paid understand that God hates sin and God is also fiercely angry [16:50] with the sinner who commits the sin

[16:55] God’s wrath is nothing to be glad about but it also must not be ignored [16:59] It is offensive to us because of our sin [17:03] Better we be offended if it leads to redemption that we continue to offend who is storing up wrath [17:10] Do you understand that? [17:14] When we refuse to engage in evangelizing the world with the gospel [17:19] We are just letting others slip into eternity

[17:23] Understanding the future reality that verse 9 is telling us and that is that those who have not been [17:30] justified by his blood they will face God’s fury and wrath [17:37] forever and [17:39] Yet in order to not be put as an outcast in this culture [17:44] We are tempted to take part and applaud and just be nice and just think that it is kindness when it is [17:50] Actually hate when you allow people to believe that their sin is acceptable to God

[17:58] That leads us to point number two

[18:02] That redemption restores our relationship with God

[18:09] You see [18:10] When we begin to talk about sin you begin to think maybe that we’re just telling you well [18:16] You’re supposed to walk out into this world and be the world somewhat morality police and just always inform people about how terrible they are [18:24] Well, if you do that, you’re also guilty of sin the sin of ignoring the gospel [18:29] The gospel is not you’re terrible. Have a good day

[18:35] If you’ve been doing that and that’s the method you’ve been embracing please stop [18:40] You’re not helping [18:41] You’re hurting [18:43] There is another part to the gospel [18:46] But it’s one that sin shows us the beauty of and that is that Jesus offers us full redemption [18:53] But understand that reconciliation requires redemption

[18:56] The wrath that is spoken of in verse 9 is one that will be fully realized on a day when God will judge sin forever [19:04] But note that Jesus has paid the price so that no one will ever have to pay it themselves [19:10] On that day it will be the sinner that will feel the full weight of God’s anger for sin and it will last for eternity [19:18] unless [19:19] The price has been paid already and you [19:22] Have the good news to offer the world if you’re a follower of Jesus that the price has been paid already

[19:28] That you were headed towards the wrath of God just like everyone else [19:33] But Jesus has stepped into your place and he has offered to pay the penalty the price himself [19:40] It is important for you to understand the cost of redemption both for your faith

[19:47] and [19:48] For your evangelization to others [19:51] Has been paid [19:53] But you must understand what redemption is and what that price actually looked like [19:59] Here’s how Romans 3 23 through 25 put it a few chapters earlier [20:02] It says number one all of sin and fall short of the glory of God understand that sins always gonna be there

[20:07] Because it what makes it good news and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus [20:15] Boom the redemption that is in Christ Jesus what whom God put forward as a [20:21] Perpetuation by his blood to be received by faith this was to show God’s righteousness [20:26] Because in his divine forbearance he passed over former sins [20:29] This is what verse 9 is talking about when it says you’ve been justified by his blood [20:34] It tells us and it is explaining to us that the wage of sin is death in Jesus paid that debt that we owed with

[20:40] His very life [20:41] He bled on the cross as our substitute [20:45] This is the greatest cost that anyone could ever pay and Jesus did it and he did it in [20:53] his love [20:55] Our debt [20:57] was literally

[21:00] Transferred over [21:01] On to Jesus. Here’s what I want to explain to you. And this is why I’m always telling people read the Old Testament [21:09] All right, because as soon as sin enters into the world God reveals sin [21:13] He says it is abhorrent do not do this. What does he do? He institutes a system where you can be forgiven

[21:22] And we’re like man this Old Testament they’re cutting up all these animals. I mean they’re splashing blood everywhere [21:27] I mean it must they needed Purell so bad

[21:31] That’s just gross I mean you got these high priests and it’s much better to be a pastor than it was to be a priest [21:38] In the Old Testament less knives are involved [21:41] So I’m very thankful for that, but I mean they’ve got to come they got to kill the animal [21:46] They got to cut the animal up they got to fill these things up with blood [21:50] They got to pour it over the altar Passover comes they got to pour it over their doorpost [21:54] I mean they’re putting blood behind their earlobes. They’re putting blood everywhere and you’re like what is this blood all about?

[22:00] And what it is about is it’s gross

[22:04] But here’s the key that’s the point

[22:08] God’s point is very simple

[22:11] Sin is disgusting [22:14] Sin is destructive [22:16] Sin is deadly [22:19] Sin requires a payment and the payment is life [22:23] So in the Old Testament they transferred their guilt over to an unblemished animal

[22:33] As a foreshadowing of [22:36] The unblemished son of God she’s like animals. Are they better than humans? No [22:41] They just stand as a prophecy that God was going to give a substitute once for all and that [22:47] Substitute was not just unblemished in appearance [22:51] The scripture tells us there’s nothing really amazing about his appearance [22:55] Rather he was unblemished in his life

[22:58] Completely obedient completely perfect. So Jesus had no debt

[23:04] Jesus had no price he needed to pay

[23:08] and so redemption is [23:11] If you understand this [23:13] Redemption is God transferring my debt against him over to another [23:20] specifically over to God the Son Jesus Christ and [23:24] Then Jesus Christ goes and he bleeds and he dies on a cross to pay my debt [23:31] He endured the full tilt wrath of God on the cross for my sin and for your sin

[23:40] That is what it looks like to be justified by [23:43] His blood his blood is a picture of the severity of your sin and the cost that it demands [23:51] There’s only one who could endure it without spending an eternity in it [23:57] And that is God the Son [24:00] Jesus comes down into the mess of this world into the mess of sin

[24:07] He does not applaud that’s what we’re so mistaken about Jesus

[24:13] Is that he was yeah, he was called a glutton he was called a friend of sinners, but you never see Jesus take part [24:23] You never see Jesus applaud [24:26] You never see Jesus say, uh, you got sin. That’s okay. You’re a good looking guy and gosh darn it people like you

[24:37] No, Jesus comes down into the mess and he says this is what sin looks like and understand that i’m going to bear it [24:45] You will attempt to destroy the temple he was talking about himself [24:50] He said but I will rebuild it in three days [24:53] And he did [24:56] So when you’re talking about Jesus and his methods understand that his methods were bloody [25:02] His methods would have been looked we would have looked at it and said that’s disgusting

[25:06] We would have looked at it and said that is tragic. We would have looked at it and said that’s a huge price [25:13] Because that is exactly what sin is [25:16] But in his redemption by his blood

[25:25] We can be forgiven of our sins [25:28] He transfers the debt of our sin over to himself and then he transfers his perfect righteousness over into us [25:37] justified by his blood [25:40] He bleeds so that we don’t have to thus removing the wrath of god [25:47] Do you see the beauty do you see the joy in that no more wrath

[25:54] No longer an enemy [25:56] but rather [25:58] Reconciled into relationship [26:02] Do you ever see in the life of jesus when he calls out to his father the beauty of the relationship that they shared [26:10] You can’t have that in your sin [26:12] But you can have that in redemption

[26:15] And that’s what jesus offers you he offers you reconciliation with god. I want to tell you to be reconciled means [26:22] To be brought back together [26:25] To have peace made between two estranged or hostile parties and so often [26:32] We say oh well, we’ve been separated by god [26:35] We’ve been distanced by god because we’ve removed ourselves from him [26:39] And so I need to put myself back together with god. You understand. This is not true. That’s not good

[26:45] God has separated himself from you [26:49] Because he’s offended by you [26:52] Because you’ve sinned against him [26:55] So the love of god is magnified though when you see it that way when you understand the great length [27:02] He went to to bring yourself back together with him [27:07] Because he was the offended one he was not the offender

[27:13] And to understand what reconciliation means you have to understand that he was bearing [27:19] All of the offense on his own while we were just offending offending offending rebelling rebelling rebelling blaspheming blaspheming blaspheming

[27:29] God says while you are still a sinner i’ll send my son

[27:35] I will do that which needs to be done so that we can be reconciled fully together [27:41] That’s what roman’s three is explaining [27:44] That if we trust jesus [27:47] He can become our way [27:49] From god’s wrath to god’s favor [27:52] But friend the only way to go from an enemy of god to one who experiences the love of god is to trust in jesus

[28:00] Otherwise, you will face his wrath

[28:04] But once you’ve realized that understand number three this morning that we are redeemed from sin to live a new life [28:12] We redeemed from sin to live a new life look back in verse 10 [28:16] Know what it says it says that if while we were enemies [28:21] He says while we were enemies we’re reconciled to god. So it’s all the work of god. It’s all the doing of god [28:28] You’re running he’s grabbing [28:31] He’s saying come back

[28:33] I’ve paid the price [28:35] Let’s be reconciled takes the scales of sin off of our eyes gives us the gift of faith [28:40] We believe he gives us our grace. He regenerates us changes us forever [28:46] Here’s what he says [28:47] While we were enemies we were reconciled to god by the death of his son [28:51] And I love how he does this. It’s almost like the stepladder much more

[28:56] Saying it doesn’t stop there doesn’t stagnate there [28:59] You have more than just this relationship where your good buddies and you get to call each other on the phone [29:03] He’s like you get the life [29:06] of god [29:07] How much more? [29:10] Will you be saved by his life?

[29:13] So he’s giving you this reality of the resurrection of jesus christ that jesus did not just die for you [29:20] That he lived for you before his death stored up righteousness to be transferred into your account [29:26] Died to pay the penalty for your sin then rose again to new life defeating sin and death [29:32] Still lives right now and offers you [29:36] His life every single day to live as one who has been redeemed [29:44] Look in the way second corinthians chapter 5 verse 17 through 19 puts it it says therefore if anyone is in christ

[29:50] He’s a new creation [29:52] The old has passed away behold the new has come all of this is from god [29:57] So god does all of it [30:00] Who through christ and here’s the term [30:03] Reconciled us to himself [30:05] And gave us the ministry of reconciliation

[30:08] Stop there. He reconciles you to himself redeems you from your sin. You have no price to pay [30:14] But then he says i’ve got a new life for you to live [30:19] He starts in verse 17 was saying the old is gone the new has come i’ve got a new life for you [30:23] And then he explains the new life that reconciliation gives you is that you live now the ministry [30:30] Of reconciliation so you literally serve a mission of reconciliation

[30:38] In your life and the lives of others [30:41] And he says here’s where he’s going to explain the redemption in jesus again. He says in verse 19 [30:46] He says that is in christ god was reconciling the world to himself [30:52] Not counting their trespasses against them [30:55] So there’s redemption, but then he gives us the new life [30:59] Friends redemption is always followed by a new life

[31:06] If you think you have redemption and you do not have the new life you’ve not found the redemption

[31:13] He says [31:14] He doesn’t count their sins against them and in trusting [31:18] to us [31:19] a message [31:21] of reconciliation [31:24] God is all about reconciliation

[31:27] So in that god wants you to understand that trusting in him gives you a new life [31:36] So you can live it [31:38] Why because jesus still lives? [31:41] And if jesus still lives you can trust him more than you can anybody else [31:46] Somebody dies then gets back up you say i’m with him [31:50] I want to be on his side. He’s got something that nobody else has and so that’s trustworthy

[31:57] But then it also gives you confidence [32:01] See trust [32:03] Puts you in a life confidence makes you live a life [32:09] God not only wants to give you trust [32:11] God wants to give you confidence the confidence that a reconciled relationship with him gives you can experience the salvation of jesus now

[32:21] In this life he offers to make all things new starting now [32:26] new life [32:28] new purposes [32:29] new destiny [32:31] Friends take hold of your reconciliation with god stop being passive about your relationship with christ [32:42] When you are walking in a relationship with christ

[32:45] I would beg you to stop being passive [32:49] I believe that is the biggest struggle that many followers of jesus have is that they’re standing still [32:55] It’s pretty hard to follow when you’re not walking because jesus is going somewhere [33:01] He’s going into a life of mission to reconcile [33:05] And he says follow me [33:08] Understand that your relationship with christ is not mine

[33:14] I can’t make you have a relationship with jesus [33:18] I can share truth with you, but this is your relationship [33:22] Relationship you must live it. No one can do it for you. Many of you believe that you will get to heaven [33:30] But you struggle [33:33] You struggle and are somehow convinced that you are condemned to a less than relationship with god [33:40] in this life

[33:42] Friends, that’s not where the word’s taking us [33:45] The word is not saying well some people they’re going to get this vibrant relationship with jesus man [33:49] They’re going to trust him. They’re going to have his confidence with him, but then you know, well, you’re not going to get that [33:54] You know you get economy class other guys got the upgrade people are going to be bumping into your arm with the card [34:01] I mean the bathroom stinks, but you know first class. Well, they’re not going to use their bathroom

[34:08] Friends [34:09] Our view of our relationship with god must be overcome with how great the redemption in christ is and how wonderful reconciliation with him [34:17] When he says saved by his life [34:20] Personalize that own that grab that walk in that believe that [34:28] It gives us hope that there’s always more in my relationship with god

[34:34] Friends I just need to live it [34:37] There’s more joy. There’s more faith. There’s more confidence. There’s more love. There’s more sacrifice. There’s more growth [34:45] There’s more obedience. There’s more service. There’s more witness and there’s always more [34:50] reconciliation to share with others [34:53] The relationship with jesus is always about more [34:57] Friends you need to lead and love your family with the truth of the gospel

[35:01] Believe that you can do it because of the reconciliation that you have [35:06] All of you can [35:07] Because it’s not about you. It’s about god. It’s about the strength that he gives you [35:12] Get in the bible [35:15] pray [35:15] Serve others

[35:17] Tell people about jesus live to build the church [35:22] Serve in every way possible friends what i’m talking to you about is that you need to live a reconciled relationship with god [35:31] Stop making excuses [35:35] Understand friends that your excuses reveal what you really think about reconciliation with god

[35:45] What you say about reconciliation with god and what you believe about reconciliation with god if it’s through faith [35:50] It will resemble what the scriptures say about it [35:53] And the scriptures tell me that if you trust jesus is yours [35:57] You can have it [35:59] You can live it [36:00] Believe jesus is alive

[36:02] Believe that he will live forever [36:04] Believe that you are not relegated to the sidelines [36:08] Every part of serving god matters because you have been reconciled [36:12] with god [36:14] And the greatness of that reconciliation is point number four the reconciliation is a gift

[36:22] You ever gotten a gift that you didn’t know you were getting and [36:26] Maybe you thought you didn’t deserve but it’s the greatest gift that you’ve ever seen in your life [36:30] Many of us have to go back to childhood to remember that type of wonder [36:34] type of amazement

[36:39] Reconciliation with god’s greatest gift [36:41] That you’ll ever have because god wants to give us joy instead of wrath [36:47] Do you understand the greatness of that statement? [36:50] That god doesn’t want his wrath for you and jesus proves it [36:54] That god wants you to have fullness of joy [36:59] And jesus proves it

[37:01] If you do not have joy in what god has offered through jesus [37:05] My friend you do not understand the great cost redemption [37:08] Has paid for you [37:10] You can have it you were designed to live for god verse 11 tells us [37:17] It says more than that again. This is more [37:20] This is god offers more

[37:24] This is we also rejoice

[37:29] This is we rejoice [37:32] In god [37:34] Through our lord jesus christ through whom we have now

[37:40] Received [37:41] Reconciliation [37:43] He doesn’t say here’s the hoops jump through them. Here’s the barriers push them over [37:49] Here’s the work get to it and then i’ll consider reconciliation with you. No, he says I come with joy [37:57] Through jesus because now i’ve received the great gift [38:03] That god just gives

[38:06] He just offers it he says it’s yours you can have it believe it take joy in it relish in it treasure [38:14] It you’ll never lose it

[38:18] Don’t be insecure [38:20] About the reconciliation that you have in jesus christ because he says that it is certainty and that’s why he paid the price of pure [38:29] righteous blood [38:32] Because it can never be taken away [38:34] God wants you to have joy [38:40] Friends

[38:42] The longer that i’m in scripture the more i’m overcome with the greatness of one [38:48] Unspeakable truth [38:50] Here it is [38:51] god [38:53] Wants to redeem people

[38:57] I mean if you believe the gospel you have to believe that because he wants to redeem you [39:02] And you’re not a treasure [39:04] All right, can I just tell you that this morning you’re not [39:07] You’re and you’re no better treasure than I am if i’m not a treasure you’re not a treasure. We’re all in the same boat here [39:13] We’re not the treasure [39:16] Jesus is

[39:18] And god says you can have it [39:21] And there’s enough to go around [39:24] When you look at some of the miracles that jesus did in this world, there’s always plenty to go around [39:30] And that’s an that’s an analogy

[39:33] Of [39:34] Redemption to go around [39:36] There’s plenty of forgiveness there’s plenty of reconciliation

[39:41] Reconciliation is worth more than anything [39:45] Because some of us what we do is is that we try to transform this into lesser things instead of the greatest of things [39:52] Well, well if you had plenty of you know bread and fish. Well, he’s got plenty of money. This is gonna fill my bank account [39:58] You would exchange reconciliation with god for that

[40:05] It’s worthless [40:08] The realm of heaven god doesn’t say give me a check to get in because god owns a cattle on a thousand hills [40:13] So he laughs at your wealth [40:16] This is but i’ll offer you something better [40:19] I’ll offer you me

[40:25] Unending worship [40:26] Unending relationship with the greatest being that’s ever lived is yours [40:33] Don’t balk at that [40:35] Relish in it treasure it because that is the only place where you will find real joy [40:45] It is a life [40:46] In which you sacrifice things that everyone else is holding on to

[40:52] Because you’re finding joy in a treasure that’s greater [40:55] And when you’re living that [40:58] When you’re living reconciliation with god when you’re finding your joy in him, you will have [41:05] Something to offer to the world around you. My fear is that too many times [41:12] We are often relishing in the same things everyone else has and therefore we have nothing to offer

[41:23] You want something to offer live for jesus [41:28] You want something to offer to joy in the gospel you want something to offer remind yourself every day of what redemption cost him

[41:39] And no matter what you face you will walk into it with joy

[41:45] Because they can never take that away [41:48] You’ll have it forever [41:51] Reconciliation with god is a life to be lived

[41:58] Oh friends [42:00] That in the coming days of our church [42:04] That we would be marked by those who truly live for the gospel of jesus christ

[42:15] Is a life to be lived and it is a life to be shared with others [42:21] But it is always with jesus [42:25] Because he prayed paid the price [42:28] And he lives for your joy

[42:34] As the band comes up

[42:40] When we begin to to thank [42:44] On the things of this world [42:45] And all the things that are going on around us and all the things that we’re struggling with and then we think about [42:51] Where the culture seems to be trying to take us it can become very overwhelming [42:56] It can become very guilt giving [43:00] It can become very risky looking

[43:04] And it can become terrifying

[43:09] But here’s where our joy is

[43:14] It is in this reality that we have a god who’s never once terrified

[43:22] We have a god who never once looks down [43:25] My life your life the world life of the world. He never says I don’t know how this one’s gonna turn out

[43:33] And the cross proves that [43:36] The cross proves to me that god has never once lost control [43:40] The cross proves to me that god always has a plan [43:44] The cross proves to me that if I trust him [43:48] If I follow him [43:51] That the worst that could ever happen to me is that I spend an eternity with him

[43:56] And that’s the greatest thing anyone could ever offer me [43:59] Is that when this life is over? [44:02] I still get forever with god [44:06] That’s what he offers you and that’s why he died for you on the cross [44:12] This morning as we reflect as a church on the lord’s supper [44:16] The bread cup broken body of our lord the shed blood of jesus

[44:22] Understand that if you feel empty [44:26] If you’re struggling to trust [44:29] That the communion table means that god always [44:34] fills [44:35] And he fills through faith in the gospel [44:39] And if you believe that if you trust that

[44:44] If you want to depend on god for all of it [44:47] When you’re ready