Embracing Our Divine Purpose: The Ministry of Reconciliation
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that God's presence is a place of transformation and blessing. We are assured that in His presence, we will not leave the same way we came. We delved into the understanding that God is our divine helper, our solid rock, and our great provider. He is capable of doing exceedingly, abundantly above all we can think or imagine. We celebrated His interest in our welfare and well-being, and we were reminded of His promise never to leave us nor forsake us.
We continued our discussion on the ministry of reconciliation, emphasizing that God's most important desire is the salvation of souls. This is so crucial to Him that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us. We were encouraged to align our priorities with God's and to understand that as we prioritize what is important to Him, He will meet our needs.
We were reminded that we have been given the ministry of reconciliation, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:18, and that God values His relationship with us so much that He has entrusted us with this ministry. We were called to be mindful that God wants us to make what is important to Him important to us as well.
We reflected on the fact that we are chosen by God for a purpose, to bear fruit and keep on bearing. We are not here by accident; we are here for a divine plan and appointment. We were encouraged to be profitable and useful, to let heaven bear record of our usefulness, and to understand that we are God's representatives on earth.
We were exhorted to bear two kinds of fruit at the next level: the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of soul-winning. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We were called to manifest these characteristics as evidence of our Christian walk.
The second fruit, soul-winning, was highlighted as a critical aspect of our divine assignment. We were reminded of our responsibility as watchmen over our households, communities, and workplaces to share the gospel and to be custodians of it. We were encouraged to support the advancement of the gospel in any way we can, ensuring that our lives reflect Christ and that we are effective harvesters in the kingdom of God.
In conclusion, we were urged to pray for the grace to have our priorities aligned with God's, to fulfill our divine assignment, and to bear the fruits of the Spirit and soul-winning. We were called to support and pray for missionaries and to not give up on people, remembering that we have been given the ministry of reconciliation.
Key Takeaways:
- The ministry of reconciliation is not just a task but a divine privilege that reflects God's trust in us to bring back lost souls to Him. As we embrace this ministry, we become active participants in God's redemptive plan, and our lives take on eternal significance. [17:56]
- Bearing fruit is a clear indicator of our spiritual health and alignment with God's purpose. The fruit of the Spirit is not just a checklist but a transformative process that shapes our character to resemble Christ. As we cultivate these fruits, we become more effective witnesses to the world around us. [27:51]
- Our chosen status by God is not a passive title but a call to action. We are purposefully planted in our generation to impact lives and advance the kingdom. Recognizing this can shift our perspective from seeking personal gain to fulfilling God's greater mission. [22:22]
- Soul-winning is not an optional activity for believers; it is a mandate that comes with our faith. When we engage in sharing the gospel, we align ourselves with God's heart for humanity and participate in the joy of heaven over each soul that is saved. [34:02]
- Our lives are a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. As we live out our faith authentically, we become beacons of light that draw others to Christ. Our actions and attitudes can either open doors for the gospel or hinder its progress. Let us strive to be living epistles, known and read by all. [53:19]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 5:18 - "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
2. John 15:16 - "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."
3. Matthew 9:37-38 - "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:18, who has given us the ministry of reconciliation and through whom? ([19:19])
2. In John 15:16, what does Jesus say about our selection and purpose? ([22:02])
3. What does Matthew 9:37-38 say about the state of the harvest and the need for workers? ([46:43])
4. What are the two types of fruit mentioned in the sermon that believers are called to bear? ([28:46])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the ministry of reconciliation considered a divine privilege and not just a task? ([19:39])
2. How does understanding that we are chosen by God for a purpose (John 15:16) change our perspective on our daily lives and actions? ([22:22])
3. What does it mean to be a "watchman" over our households, communities, and workplaces in the context of soul-winning? ([34:02])
4. How can the fruit of the Spirit serve as evidence of our Christian walk and witness to others? ([29:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current priorities. How can you better align them with God's priorities, especially in the context of soul-winning? ([18:37])
2. Think of a specific person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. What steps can you take this week to share the good news with them? ([36:00])
3. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). What specific action can you take to cultivate this fruit in your interactions with others this week? ([29:07])
4. How can you support missionaries and those involved in evangelism, both locally and globally? ([54:05])
5. Reflect on a time when you felt unnoticed or forgotten. How does knowing that God has chosen and appointed you for a purpose (John 15:16) encourage you in your current situation? ([22:22])
6. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your life reflects Christ and serves as a beacon of light to those around you? ([51:00])
7. How can you be more intentional in your role as a "watchman" in your community, ensuring that you are actively sharing the gospel and supporting the advancement of God's kingdom? ([34:02])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Ministry of Reconciliation
God entrusts us with the sacred task of restoring lost souls to Him. This divine privilege is a reflection of His confidence in us to be active participants in His redemptive plan. The ministry of reconciliation is not merely a responsibility; it is an honor that bestows eternal significance upon our lives. As believers, we are called to view this ministry not as a burdensome duty but as a joyful service that aligns us with the heart of God. By engaging in this ministry, we become conduits of God's love and grace, drawing others back to the embrace of the Father.
"God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively participate in the ministry of reconciliation in your immediate community this week? [07:40]
Day 2: Cultivating Spiritual Fruitfulness
The fruit of the Spirit is a testament to our spiritual health and our alignment with God's purpose. These attributes—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not merely qualities to aspire to; they are evidence of the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within us. As we cultivate these fruits, our character is molded to resemble that of Christ, making us more effective in our witness to the world. This process of spiritual growth is continuous and requires our commitment to live out these virtues in our daily interactions.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you need to cultivate more intentionally, and what practical steps can you take to do so? [27:51]
Day 3: Living with Divine Purpose
Our chosen status by God is a call to action, a reminder that we are purposefully placed in our generation to make a difference. Recognizing that we are here for a divine plan and appointment shifts our focus from seeking personal gain to fulfilling God's mission. As God's representatives on earth, we are tasked with impacting lives and advancing His kingdom. This understanding should transform our perspective, inspiring us to live with intentionality and to seek opportunities to serve God's purposes in our daily lives.
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." - John 15:16 ESV
Reflection: In what specific ways can you live out your divine purpose in your current season of life? [22:22]
Day 4: The Mandate of Soul-Winning
Soul-winning is an essential aspect of our faith, a mandate that reflects God's heart for humanity. As believers, we are called to be watchmen, sharing the gospel with those in our households, communities, and workplaces. This critical task is not optional; it is an integral part of our identity in Christ. When we engage in soul-winning, we join in the joy of heaven over each person who comes to know Jesus. Our commitment to this cause is a measure of our obedience and love for God.
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15 ESV
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can begin to share the gospel with, and what is the first step you will take to do so? [34:02]
Day 5: Being Living Epistles
Our lives are powerful testimonies to the transformative power of the gospel. As we authentically live out our faith, we become beacons of light that attract others to Christ. Our actions and attitudes have the potential to either facilitate or hinder the progress of the gospel. It is our calling to be living epistles, known and read by all, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus in everything we do. Let us strive to embody the gospel in such a way that our lives speak volumes about the grace and mercy of God.
"Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This 'letter' is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts." - 2 Corinthians 3:3 ESV
Reflection: How can your life today reflect the transformative power of the gospel to those around you? [53:19]
Quotes
1) "God wants people who are interested to increase. God wants people who are interested to succeed again and again, not one time. People who will be consistent. So the scripture is saying that the purpose for which God has chosen you and called you and purposefully planted you is so that you will bear fruit. So you must be profitable. I must be profitable. I must be useful. You must be useful. Let the heaviest bear record that you are useful. Hallelujah." [27:51]
2) "Now a next level believer is a sanctified, consecrated worker for the divine assignment. Hallelujah. For this divine assignment. And what is that divine assignment? The divine assignment is that we will bear fruit and keep bearing. Hallelujah. That's what we do. No one gets promoted at a job to a higher position if they are lazy, if they are doing nothing, if they are not making an impact, if they are not helping to increase the profitability of the organization." [27:51]
3) "The fruit of the spirit is what? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things, there is no law. So you cannot just be a Christian that is not manifesting these characteristics or these qualities. Amen. So if you are manifesting this, you are bearing fruit. That's what it is. You have to be someone who loves. The fruit of the spirit is what? Love. The love of God must come out of you towards others." [31:54]
4) "The next fruit that we need to bear number two is that is the fruit of soul weaning hallelujah. So two fruits we have to bear at the next level fruit of the spirit and what fruit of what soul weaning when you read proverbs chapter 11 verse 30 says he that wounded a soul is what wise but let me read this ezekiel chapter 33 verse 79 ezekiel 33 79 so you son of man that's talking about you and i i have made you a watchman over the house of israel that's the church." [34:02]
5) "God is very interested in the salvation of a soul. Souls must first be reconciled to God before they can be called to ministry. Everyone must first come to the Lord. Now let's look at John chapter 15 by 16. You are specially chosen. I am specially chosen. Hallelujah. You are specially chosen. Amen. Tell somebody you are specially chosen and tell yourself I am specially chosen." [22:22]
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