Sermon Notes 12/14 – The Gift of Reconciliati
The Gift of Reconciliation: Luke 15:11-24
The main purpose for the birth of Christ was for God to bring reconciliation between God and us!!!!
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The purpose of Christmas is Reconciliation!!! THAT IS THE GOSPEL!!
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Reconciliation Starts With Us
(The Prodigal Son — “When he came to himself”)
The son wasn’t himself.
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He isolated himself.
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He ran from the Father.
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He chased pleasure.
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He lived centered on himself.
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He finally came to His senses. He realized that He had made a mistake in leaving His father. He walked away from his father to enjoy a few years of pleasure, only thinking about himself.
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Matthew 5:23-24
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God is calling us to look in the mirror like I did and ask: “What step do I need to take toward reconciliation?”
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Reconciliation Restores
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There is a difference between forgiveness and reconciliation
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Forgiveness cancels the Debt while Reconciliation restores the relationship.
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When the father saw his son a long way off, he ran. He hugged and restored him.
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That hug wasn’t just forgiveness; it was healing.
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Restoration connects us with God again
This is a season of healing and reconciliation.
God wants to heal:
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Family breaks
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Father wounds
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Marriages
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Broken faith
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Relationships with your Heavenly Father
But healing requires honesty, humility, and a step toward restoration.
3. Reconciliation is Contagious(Ripple Effect)
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When there is reconciliation in a big part of our lives, it has a ripple effect on the rest of our lives.
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It opens the door to heal deeper wounds
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LET THE LORD INTO YOUR TRAUMA
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Not only can this ripple affect happening, you, but it is contagious to the people around you
Challenge:
This Christmas season is a season of reconciliation.
It’s time to restore:
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Relationships with family
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Relationships with friends
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Relationships with those we’ve held at a distance
But most importantly…
Your relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior
Who in your life do you need to reconcile with?