“THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION"

2 CORINTIANS 5:19
INTRO: The Bible from which we preach, teach, study, and grow is God's love
letter to mankind. Its whole message deals with God's love and care
for lost man. It tells us about the fall of man and there is where the
loving story begins. It tells us of the way that men can be made right
with God. And that way is through Jesus Christ, God's dear Son. In
fact, the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, tells us about
man's estrangement from God and how he can be reconciled to God
once again. But sadly, it also tells us of the terrible fate that awaits
those who reject and spurn His loving care and provision.
Paul, in our text, declares unto us, "The Word of Reconciliation."
He says, "To wit (how), that God was in Christ, reconciling the world
unto himself...". This verse begins with a Greek adjective that is
translated in English "how" which points us to the foregoing verses
and explains how God accomplished this reconciliation (Ernest R.
Campbell. A Commentary of Second Corinthians: Based on The Greek
New Testament. p. 112). What a wonderful message it is! We were
far from God and undone, without God and He brought us near to
Himself! I want to speak on this subject, "The Word of
Reconciliation."
(1) THE MYSTERY OF RECONCILIATION
2 CORINTHIANS 5:19a—“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the
world unto himself…”
*A mystery is "something above human intelligence, a secret yet to be revealed."
That is exactly what reconciliation is and was until Christ came to die for our
sins! It is a mystery, in that man could never accomplish it on his own, nor
think of it himself. It was a mystery to lost humanity until Jesus was born to
die for our sins (1 John 3:5).
A. THE MOTIVATION OF RECONCILIATION. God is in His Son reconciling
the world unto Himself. I want you to notice that it was God who was the
offended party. It was your sin and my sin that put on the LORD Jesus on
the Cross! "God was in Christ," it was God that took the initiative not man!
Even when Jesus Christ was made like unto us in flesh and body, in order
to die on our behalf for sin and for our reconciliation, HE WAS GOD!
(Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 2:9).
B. THE MEANING OF RECONCILIATION. What is RECONCILIATION? It
means "to change from enmity to friendship." Because of man's rebellion, he
was the enemy of God and out of fellowship with Him. Reconciliation
brings man and God together in peace, unity, and fellowship.
ILLUS: The Spanish have a story about a father and son who became
estranged. The son left home and the father later set out to find
him. He searched for months without success. Finally, in
desperation, the father turned to the newspaper for help. His ad
simply read, "Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office
at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your father." On
Saturday, 800 young men named Paco showed up looking for
 forgiveness and love from their estranged fathers. The world is
filled with people who desperately long for reconciliation-with each
other and with God (Raymond McHenry. The Best of In Other
Words. p. 205).
C. THE MAJESTY OF RECONCILIATION. The word “majesty” means
“grandeur, sovereign authority.” (Funk & Wagnall’s Standard Desk
Dictionary. Volume 1. A-M. p. 391). Reconciliation recognizes the fact of
man's estrangement from God and provides a way for man to enjoy peace,
unity, and fellowship with God. In Ephesians 2:12-13, Paul tells us that
we {before or salvation} "...at that time…were without Christ..
strangers...having no hope and without God in this world: But now in Christ
Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
(2) THE MAGNITUDE OF RECONCILIATION
2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 19b, 21—“ For the love of Christ constraineth us;
because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth
live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose
again…Not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath
committed unto us the word of reconciliation. For he hath made him
to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.”
A. SIN WAS ATONED FOR.
1. Christ Died For All (vv. 14-15). When Christ died on the Cross it was for
the sin of all mankind not just a select few (1 John 2:2). All sin has been
paid for by Christ's death on the Cross, but not all men are forgiven
because they have not by faith accepted Christ's death as the only payment
for their sins.
ILLUS: Capital punishment is a very controversial issue. Both sides of the
argument cry out with increasing fervor. Regardless of which view
you hold, there is one common ground. When one is strapped to a
gurney, an electric chair, or the porous gas chamber seat, everyone
recognizes that a heinous crime has been committed. Capital
punishment is never administered to marginal offenders of the law.
The Cross of Jesus Christ should stir the same emotions that are
triggered by capital punishment. We should be reminded of the
severity of our sin. Jesus didn't die because we were marginal
offenders of God's law. He died because we have committed the
most serious offense of all-rebellion against God. It's a crime worthy
of death and thankfully Jesus took our place on the hill of
execution (Raymond McHenry. The Best of In Other Words. pp. 24-
25).
V19 says, "…not imputing their trespasses unto them.." Imputation is a great
truth in the Scripture. The word in the Greek means "to reckon, to put
down
to a person's account, to charge to one's account." Romans 6:23 says, "For
the wages of sin is death…". Because of sin God demands death. D.L.
Moody said, "I must die or get somebody to die for me. If the Bible doesn't
teach that, It doesn't teach anything. And there is where the atonement of
 Jesus Christ comes in (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-
Contemporary & Classical. p. 11). And thank God, Jesus Christ took our
death for us! All of our sin was laid to his account, charged to Him and He
by his death paid for them all (Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24).
When Jesus died on the Cross, God was in Christ dying for the sins of men.
God was making it possible for men to be freed from the guilt and
condemnation of sin (John 5:24). The result is that all of those sins have
been paid for and God no longer holds them against us, because we have
trusted Christ as our Savior. Those who trust Christ will never have their
sins imputed against them again (Psalm 32:1-2; 103:12; Hebrews 10:17).
As far as our record is concerned, we now share the righteousness of Christ
(v21). Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:3-4—“ Grace and peace be multiplied unto
you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his
divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and
godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and
virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.”
B. SATISFACTION WAS MADE. God was satisfied (v17-18a). Christ's death
on the Cross made it possible for sinful man to be reconciled to a Holy God
We read in Colossians 1:20-22—“ And, having made peace through the
blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say,
whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were
sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now
hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy
and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight.” And with His Son's
sacrifice, the Father is well pleased (Isaiah 53:11—“He shall see of the
travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my
righteous
servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”).
By Christ's one offering, now God is reconciled to man, He has done His
part. He has done everything necessary to restore lost mankind to
fellowship with Him! Now the responsibility lies with man to be reconciled
to God, as v20 declares, "...be ye reconciled unto God."
(3) THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17, 19—“ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world
unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath
committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
*In v19, Paul refers to "the word of reconciliation". The Greek word for "word"
here means "a message declared or given." The Greek word is "LOGOS" which
is a divine title of our LORD Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3). This shows us that the
sum total of reconciliation is wrapped up in Christ! "God was in Christ, recon-
ciling the world unto himself.." (vl9a). What a wonderful message this is! It is
a:
A. MESSAGE OF PEACE. There is no peace apart from God (Isaiah 57:20-
21; Romans 3:10-12; 16-17). But when we are reconciled to God then we
 have His peace in our hearts (Colossians 1:19—“…having made peace
through the blood of his cross…”; Psalm 29:11; Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27;
Romans 5:1).
God gives His children a peace this world cannot know.
ILLUS: During the Korean war, Billy Graham had the opportunity of
ministering to soldiers on the front lines. On Christmas Eve, a
young Marine lay dying on Heartbreak Ridge. The Chaplain
climbed up to the young man and whispered, "May I help you,
son?" The Marine replied, "No, its all right." The chaplain was
amazed at the soldier's tranquility. When he glanced down at
the man's side he understood the source. He was clutching a
small New Testament in his bloody hand and his finger was placed
on the calm assurance of John 14:27, “My peace I give to you.."
(Raymond McHenry. In Other Words. Volume 7. Issue 3. Summer
Quarter 1997. p. 11).
There is no peace apart from God, but thank God, when we are reconciled
to Him, we can have joy like a river and peace that passes understanding!
B. MESSAGE OF REDEMPTION BY THE BLOOD. No man can be reconciled
unto God apart from the blood of His dear Son (Hebrews 9:22)! Without
the blood, man is still at odds with God. God is still offended and
reconciliation cannot take place! (Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 1:7)
C. MESSAGE OF SALVATION BY CHRIST. No one is saved in any other way,
nor reconciled to God, but by the grace bestowed to man by God through
Christ Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). God and man were at odds one with
another and Christ was the go-between, the mediator that made possible
this reconciliation (1 Timothy 2:4-6).
It is by His blood we are reconciled, it is by His blood we are redeemed.
There is no other way!
ILLUS: On the night of May 26, 1996, a great tragedy occurred in
Houston, Texas. Cora Lee Taylor, her husband and their two
grandchildren were awakened by fire. In panic, they fled the
burning house. All four of them escaped safely, but the 58-year-
old grandmother didn't see that her husband had rescued both
grandchildren. Without thought or inquiry, Mrs. Taylor ran back
into the flames to rescue the grandchild she believed was still in
the house. Tragically, Cora Lee Taylor died searching for the child
that had already been rescued. An even greater tragedy happens
repeatedly everyday. People try to do what Jesus has already
done. The rescue from hells flame was accomplished on the Cross
2,000 years ago, we must simply realize it and accept it (Raymond
McHenry. In Other Words. Volume 7. Issue 3. Summer Quarter
1997. p. 15).
(4) THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
2 Corinthians 5:19a-20—“...God…hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though
God did beseech you by us: We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye
reconciled to God."
*God has committed to our trust this great ministry of reconciliation (Matthew
28:19-20). The word in the Greek means "to put, to place, to assign, or
entrust." The greatest ministry the Church of the LORD Jesus Christ has is the
ministry of reconciliation!
A. OUR MANDATE. A mandate is a command or a written authority to act for
another person. Paul says, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.."
The word “ambassador" in the Greek means "One sent forth to represent
another." There are four great truths about an ambassador:
 He belongs to the One who sent him out (1 Corinthians 5:19-20).
 He is commissioned to be sent out (John 15:16).
 He possesses all the authority and power of the One who sent him
out (Matthew 28:18).
 He is sent with the message of the sender (Matthew 28:19-20).
B. OUR MESSAGE (v2Ob). The message is so critical, important, and needed
by all, that we are to "beseech", the word is translated from a Greek word
that means "beg, entreat, cry, and plead” with them to be reconciled to God.
We must go out with a broken heart and a bold determination (Psalm
125:5-6).
Note this is done "for Christ's sake." Because He has paid the ultimate price
to make reconciliation available to man: He has taken our sins and borne
condemnation for them (1 Peter 3:18). Because He has done so much,
every person owes their life to Christ--every person owes it to Christ to be
reconciled to God!
CLOSING: God has done everything necessary for man to be reconciled to
Him. The question today then lost friend, is, Will you be reconciled
to God? You ask, “How can I be reconciled?”: 1) Agree with God
that you are a sinner and forsake your sin. 2) Accept what Christ
did for you on the Cross to be reconciled to God. And 3) Be
assured if you will do the first two you will be reconciled unto God!
"Oh, be ye reconciled to God." Two neighbors had fallen out over
some trivial matter. They had become bitter and had sworn
vengeance on each other. Another had tried to make peace for he
loved them both, but to no avail. One day they met in town and on
sight drew their guns and fired. The man who sought to make
peace ran between them hoping to stop them, but it was too late.
Both fired and the man who ran between caught both bullets. He
was killed instantly. Over his dead body, they were reconciled.
Christ offered Himself to die. He came between God and us that we
might be reconciled. Will you be reconciled to God today?
Christian friend, Will you be a good ambassador of the WORD OF
RECONCILIATION committed to your trust? It is important what
we do with that WORD (vv. 10-11)!