What does it mean to be reconciled? What causes us to be enemies alienated from God? What has God done to achieve our forgiveness and what must we do to receive it? What should we do when sin alienates us from other Christians? How important are communication and forgiveness?
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Introduction:
The story of Joseph and his brothers is a bittersweet story about reconciliation. Because of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him but instead sold him as a slave into Egypt.
Years later, by God’s providence, Joseph became governor of Egypt. His brothers came to Egypt to buy food during a famine. They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them and went to great lengths to test them to see if they had changed. Eventually he made himself known to them and they were reconciled.
The Bible has much to say about reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – “Be ye reconciled to God.”
To “reconcile” means to “exchange … hostility for a friendly relationship” – Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich. Sin alienates or separates people from God. We need to cease being God’s enemies and develop peace. The gospel plan to achieve this is called “the word of reconciliation.”
Sometimes people become alienated from other people. They become enemies, no longer in friendly relations. They too need to be reconciled.
The purpose of this lesson is to study God’s plan for reconciliation.
God has a plan to reconcile people to God and a plan to reconcile people to people.
Is gender a spectrum? A matter of choice? When is it determined? What should be the roles of men and women in the home, church, and society? How does transgenderism relate to homosexuality? What about men in women's restrooms and facilities? What about cross dressing and drag queens? What does the Bible say? Has the Creator spoken?
Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross is essential to our forgiveness and salvation from sin. But how do we receive the benefit of His sacrifice? Is there a connection between Jesus' death and hearing the gospel, faith, repentance, and confession? What about baptism and church membership? Must we live an obedient, faithful life? 
Some caterpillars blindly follow one another in procession. Do religious people often do the same? Do denominations blindly follow church traditions, manmade doctrines, and creeds? Do members blindly follow seminary-trained preachers? Do people assume "all these people can't be wrong"? Are you and I "Caterpillar Christians"?
Is each individual personally responsible to choose to accept salvation? Are we free moral agents? What about inherited depravity and infant baptism? Are we righteous because we have godly family members or because we are members of a faithful local church? What about Identity Politics, Critical Race Theory, and the "Me To" movement?
Only God could create the heavens and the earth, but the Bible says Jesus did it! What does this tell us about who Jesus is? What does His role as Creator tell about His power and wisdom? What authority does He possess? What is His relation to the Father and to us as creatures? Is He a created being or is He eternal?
Can people seek for God and find Him and His will for our lives? What about people in Africa and other places where the gospel is little known? What must we do to seek for God? What about the attitude of our hearts? Must we believe in God and study the Bible? How important is obedience?
Jesus taught His disciples to set an example of good works so people would give glory to the Father in heaven. Everyone has influence. Our influence is shown by our works, not just our words. Evil conduct leads people to dishonor God, but good works lead people to glorify God. Is your light shining for God's glory?
We are involved in a great spiritual battle with the forces of evil. Jesus won this battle, and we can conquer through Him. He was victorious over sin, temptation, evil, and even death. We can win these same victories through the weapons He supplies. Don't you want to be on His side and win the victory?
Who should be baptized: how, why, and when? Should babies be baptized? Is baptism sprinkling. pouring, or immersion? What is the proper purpose of baptism? What conditions must one meet before being baptized? Is baptism necessary to receive forgiveness of sin? What commitment should one make for life after baptism?
The Christian's joy is not based on physical circumstances or human relationships. We can rejoice even as we suffer in these physical ways. Our joy is based on spiritual circumstances: forgiveness of sins, our fellowship with God, and the blessings of serving Him and the hope of eternal life.
The Fact Jesus Arose Gives Evidence for Faith and Hope for Salvation and Eternal Destinies.
How much should we emphasize feelings in religion? Are emotions good or bad? Can we trust our feelings to tell us right from wrong or do we need a better standard in religion? Should our worship seek primarily to honor and praise God or to produce feelings that satisfy the people?
When people sin against us should we seek vengeance, hold a grudge, hurt them with words and threats? Or should we love them, pray for them, and seek their good? When and how do we forgive? Must they repent and confess their sin? Is forgiveness conditional or unconditional?
Jesus' parable of the Ten Virgins teaches the need for preparing and staying ready for His return. We should not procrastinate obedience but should prepare completely. We will be judged and rewarded individually for how we lived our lives.
What is
justice and what is the proper standard: God's word or human desires? Should we
judge people based on individual conduct or on race, wealth, influence, or
family? What about Social Justice?
A sign in
Glacier National Park predicted that global warming would destroy the glaciers.
In contrast, the Bible is proved to be true by accurate prophecy.
Like a tree
grows every year, Christians should continually grow in God's service. We must
abound and increase in faith, love, knowledge, teaching, and all good works of
righteousness.
The
love that family members should have for one another should teach spiritual
brothers to never harm one another but to appreciate, help, and encourage one
another and to reconcile our differences.
When
Jesus died for our sins, everyone forsook Him. His disciples deserted or denied
Him. Even His Father forsook Him on the cross.
Families
in our society are challenged by perverted and confused concepts of the role of
fatherhood, including the problems of absent and negligent fathers. This causes
many troubled children and much confusion about the nature of God as our Father.
Please consider the Bible teaching.
The Bible
affirms that God is the Almighty: all-powerful and omnipotent. Consider the
power God has as Creator and Ruler of the Universe, the only God who can perform
miracles, forgive sin, and give men eternal life.
In
Matthew 11:15 and other passages Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him
hear!” What does it mean to hear the teachings of Jesus?