The Ministry of Reconciliation, Part 1 & 2

Gary DeLashmutt
2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Having received reconciliation through Christ, God offers us the ministry of reconciliation. Not only are we to speak the message of reconciliation, but we are to live in a way that validates the message. We demonstrate the reality of our faith in Christ by our costly commitment, our genuine godliness, and our dependence upon God. This results in a paradoxical quality of life where some will thank us and some will vilify us. We will live difficult lives, but our quality of life is ensured by our relationship with God.

The Mystery of Christ

Conrad Hilario
Ephesians 3:1-11

God created man with freewill which led to a dilemma for God. He is both loving and just. He loves us but His justice demands he punish us for our sins. His enemies make accusations against his character. So, God kept secret His plan to resolve His dilemma for a time. At the right time, he revealed that Jesus would be the perfect substitute to pay for man's sins. Thus, He demonstrated His great love but also satisfied his justice.

God's Secret Plan Revealed

Chris Hearty
Ephesians 3:1-12

Paul lays out God's plan for the gospel, explaining that this mystery has now been revealed through the Holy Spirit. God is now putting focus onto the Gentiles as well as the Jews coming to know him through Jesus.

The Old Covenant vs. The New Covenant

Gary DeLashmutt
2 Corinthians 3:6-6:18

We, as Christians, are able to manifest the sweet aroma of the knowledge of God by understanding and communicating the New Covenant instead of the Old Covenant. The new Covenant surpasses and replaces the Old Covenant in three ways. First, the new Covenant is the ministry of the Spirit, and the Old Covenant is the ministry of death. Second, the New Covenant is the ministry of righteousness and the Old Covenant is the ministry of condemnation. Third, the New Covenant brings about profound change in your life but the Old Covenant only brings superficial change.

What's Wrong with Humans?

Dennis McCallum
Ephesians 2:1-10

Our sin is a big barrier between us and God. Our fall from grace has led to alienation from God. But God in His mercy offers us forgiveness through the death of His son Jesus. When we believe and accept this offer of forgiveness, God gives us a new identity which we then gradually grow into it. Religion is the performance of religious laws, but Jesus offers instead a relationship based on personal love.

Destruction to Destiny

Chris Hearty
Ephesians 2:1-10

Paul recalls that all believers were once separated from God and living lives of sin, but God, in his unfailing mercy, saved us while we were dead in our transgressions. Paul emphasizes that we are saved by grace and not works, and salvation is a gift from God, so we cannot boast about receiving it.

Old Covenant vs. New Covenant

Gary DeLashmutt
2 Corinthians 3:6-18

We, as Christians, are able to manifest the sweet aroma of the knowledge of God by understanding and communicating the New Covenant instead of the Old Covenant. The new Covenant surpasses and replaces the Old Covenant in three ways. First, the new Covenant is the ministry of the Spirit, and the Old Covenant is the ministry of death. Second, the New Covenant is the ministry of righteousness and the Old Covenant is the ministry of condemnation. Third, the New Covenant brings about profound change in your life but the Old Covenant only brings superficial change.

Start Something New

Jeremy Stephens
2 Corinthians 3:6-18

The home church is a massive gift and the epicenter of incredible Jesus-centered activity. Yet, for some of us there is an itch to expand, experiment, and try new things. How do we innovate to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel in creative ways? This session offers insight into how to develop environments that start something new.

God Chose You

Chris Risley
Ephesians 1:8-23

Against all reason, God chose to love you! He loves you not because of anything you have done but because He created you. He wants YOU, not the things you can do for Him. Once you heard the message of forgiveness, and believed it, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. God wants you to know how much He loves you and He will help you to believe Him.