TITLE:  Three Implications in Reconciliation
TEXT:  2 Corinthians 5:18-21
PROPOSITION:  Congregations need reconciliation, too.
QUESTION:  How?
KEY WORD:  Definitions
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. The purpose of this meeting is to seek some:
   1. Reconciliation from the strain of the last few years
   2. Etowah is seeking to get “back in the groove”
2. Three words to define RECONCILIATION
   1. Exchange –balance – as accountant – bring into balance
   2. Restore broken relationship
   3. Renew friendship
3. Reconciliation applies at least 3 areas of our lives:
   1. Spiritual – with God
   2. Personal – with others
   3. Congregational – with brotherhood

Exchange – balance the books, bring them into balance – reconcile a checking account

1. Root of Greek word translated – reconcile – is exchange, trade, balance, keep fair
2. Trade coins for something of equal value
3. Apply here – reconcile check book
   1. I say I have X amount
   2. Bank says I have X amount
   3. We agree – the books are RECONCILED
4. The idea is that we must “be in agreement”
5. Autonomous vs. Cooperation
   1. Each congregation is autonomous – self-governed
   2. Athens cannot control the decisions of another congregation
   3. BUT: We can cooperate

                                                               i.      We must work together

                                                              ii.      Share information, plans, goals

                                                            iii.      Help each other grow, reach the lost

Restore Broken Relationship

1. We are a result of the “Restoration Movement”
2. We seek to restore the original church of the NT.
3. Restoration is not a “one time” action
   1. It must be repeated each time we drift away – Hebrews 2:1
   2. Like driving a car – constantly making small corrections to keep the car going straight
4. Not an easy task
   1. You can’t un-churn butter?
   2. You can’t undo the past – learn from it, take a different course

Renew Friendship – become friends again

1. Remember the past
   1. The way it used to be
   2. The way it can be again
2. Don’t seek to place blame – Don’t decide who is at fault
3. Past is behind us
4. Much work – challenges – opportunities ahead

APPLICATIONS:

1. Reconciliation – Congregational
   1. Exchange – get the books back in balance
   2. Restore – Look for ways to restore what you had
   3. Renew – avoid the mistakes of the past
2. Reconciliation – Personal
   1. Exchange – Stop trying to place blame
   2. Restore – Find a way to restore what you had
   3. Renew – Avoid the mistakes of the past
3. Reconciliation to God
   1. Exchange – make sure your record is the same as God’s
   2. Restore – can’t change, just get back to the original
   3. Renew – We wandered away, we need to come back