Plantation SDA Church
Welcome! Our speaker today is Pastor Joseph Salajan
Welcome to our Online Bulletin.
The online bulletin has been enhanced with additional information to make it more relevant to you. It includes:
• Links to the live stream and service rebroadcasts
• Sermon Outline.
• Bulletin
• Church Newsletter
Feel free to take notes. Save the bulletin so you can review the sermon information
Online Services
If you'd like to watch today's service again or if you can't make it to church, here are some links so you can view the live service and/or sermon/service rebroadcast.
Sermon Theme:
The test of being forgiven is being forgiving. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation that we cannot fulfill unless we are really reconciled to God.
Social Media Tags to share with your friends:
#forgiving #forgiven #reconciliation #reconciled #reconcile #unmerited #favor #grace
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV
1. Reconciliation
The original meaning of the Greek word (katalagge) translated as “reconciliation” is to exchange one thing for anotherthing of the same value. It was used, for example, to describe the exchange of coins for others of equal value. I am giving you this much… you have to give me the same value. We still use this meaning of the word “reconciliation” today.
This original meaning of “exchange in equal amount” gave birth to a legal use of the term as “reconciliation” between two disputing parties in court. It was also used for people that simply move from hatred and hostility to harmony. They are now reconciled!
The term contains a strong sense of “being even”. We’re even! Like in You owe me money…I’m gonna confiscate your Or like in You broke the taillight on my car, so I slashed your tires. We’re even!
Paul says: God has reconciled us to Himself… through Jesus Christ.So are we now even? Paul senses that the word he uses can be misleading, so he feels the need to explain…
II Corinthians 5:18 NKJV
So how have we been reconciled to God?
By Him not counting our trespasses against us (NAS)!Reconciliation to God hasn’t happen because we did well on our debt and now we’re even… And reconciliation to God hasn’t happen because God finally decided to let go of the amount that he held against us. God didn’t cherish enmity… or hard feelings against us…
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8 NKJ)For if when we were enemies [not Him!] we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Rom. 5:10 NKJ). This is forgiveness!Undeserved…!
Ellen White says it beautifully: “Christ was E. White, Desire of Ages, 25.
Jesus didn’t die only for the sins/abuses committed by me, but also for those committed against me. So the question is: Why do I need to take it out on my enemy when it has already been taken out on Jesus?
Nothing can justify an unforgiving spirit. He who is unmerciful toward others shows that he himself is not a partaker of God's pardoning grace. In God's forgiveness the heart of the erring one is drawn close to the great heart of Infinite Love.
The tide of divine compassion flows into the sinner's soul, and from him to the souls of others.The tenderness and mercy that Christ has revealed in His own precious life will be seen in those who become sharers of His grace. 251COL
2. Ministry of Reconciliation
Many are zealous in religious services, while between them and their brethren are unhappy differences which they might reconcile. God requires them to do all in their power to restore harmony. Until they do this, He cannot accept their services. The Christian's duty in this matter is clearly pointed out (DA 311).
If your ministry is not a ministry of reconciliation, you should ask yourself if you’re really doing ministry or just management… Is what you call ministry really a ministry? Each ministry should be a ministry of reconciliation… not just an affinity club.
3. Word of Reconciliation
…[God] has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
As a church, we are God’s embassy… we are statesmen/diplomats/emissaries/envoys sent by the King, trusted to speak about the reconciliation project of the Kingdom! The word of reconciliation is a prophetic word. You speak for God… The prophetic word is forth telling; it rebukes/criticizes sin/abuse/injustice and asks for justice.
Society desperately needs the word of reconciliation.
Bulletin
This section contains the traditional bulletin, including:
• The Ministry of Giving
• Service Order and Participants
• Songs in today's service
• Sunrise/Sunset times
Newsletter
The last section of the online bulletin is the newsletter. Its similar to the print version but enhanced with live web links and other interactive features. It includes:
• Prayer Ministry Update
• Calendar of Events
• Social Media Links for Plantation SDA Church