AT ONE MENT

2 Corinthians 5:1721 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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. 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. 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. Introduction: 1. The word RECONCILE has two basic meanings, each to be determined by the context of the verse containing the word. The first is: exchange (figuratively adjustment), that is, restoration to (the divine) favor: atonement, reconciliation (-ing). The second is: to drive together, that is, (figuratively) exhort (to reconciliation): - + set at one again. 2. Both carry the understanding of something DIVIDED/SEPARATED FROM that with which it should have remained! Therefore, reconciliation has to do with making whole; placing at one (unity) again. This concept the Scriptures identify as ATONEMENT. a. Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. b. Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 3. For mankind, no greater gift exists than that of RECONCILIATION. However, though a free gift, it is a gift we must accept through the conditions set by our Lord! a. Rom. 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 4. This free gift is not for the alien sinner alone: it is also given for the Christian who strays from the Savior! It is vital that ALL mankind accept this blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus in order to have their sins forgiven and the promise of eternal LIFE with Him. I. ALL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ATONEMENT. A. It doesnt matter where we come from. 1. Eph 2:11-22 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

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B. We are reconciled; we have at one ment in Christ. And only in Christ. 1. Col 1:18-23 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 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 unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: [If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;] II. OUR RECONCILIATION WITH GOD CAME AT A GREAT PRICE. A. By the love of God, Christ died for us. 1. Romans 5: 610 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 2. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Justified by blood (the blood of Christ) we are saved from the wrath of God! We are RECONCILED TO GOD (brought back, made whole, placed at one again) by the DEATH OF CHRIST; MUCH MORE we are saved by His LIFE! 3. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 4. Romans 5:11 (again) And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. III. RECONCILIATION REQUIRES OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL. But if it is free why do we have to do something? Free means, without cost to us. It does NOT mean, without obligation. A. First, consider the obligation of love. 1. John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments . 2. John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments , ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. B. Do we want to be saved? 1. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. C. Do we want to be in Christ? 1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (YES!)

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2. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 3. Romans 6: 1-6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. IV. THE SAVED HAVE THE OBLIGATION INHERENT IN LOVE TO STAY IN CHRIST. A. That is, we must remain faithful to Him who called us. 1. Colossians 1:2123 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 unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. 2. Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. V. THE WORK OF THE FAITHFUL IS TO PLEAD FOR ALL TO BE RECONCILED TO GOD. A. We represent Christ. 1. 2 Corinthians 5:2021 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. 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. 2. Matthew 28: 1920 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.