Embracing Reconciliation: A Lifelong Journey of Grace
Summary
Today’s reflection centers on the call to be a community of hospitality by embracing the difficult but transformative work of reconciliation. Drawing from the final chapter of John, where Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” and then commissions him to “feed my sheep,” we are reminded that following Christ is not a one-time decision or a simple renewal without challenge. Instead, it is a lifelong journey of returning, confessing, and being restored—again and again. The Christian life is not about holding a spiritual “card” that exempts us from struggle or growth, but about continually opening ourselves to God’s grace, especially in the places where we have failed or been hurt.
Personal stories of regret and reconciliation—both my own and those I have witnessed—highlight how God meets us in our brokenness, not to shame us, but to invite us into deeper love and service. Regret, when faced honestly, becomes a portal to reconciliation. It is not something to wallow in or avoid, but rather a catalyst for truth-telling and healing. Confession and reconciliation are not just private, individual acts; they are the fuel of Christian community. When we normalize the practice of reconciliation, we do not celebrate failure, but Christ’s persistent and miraculous ability to bring new life out of our messes.
Like skaters learning a new trick, we will fall many times as we practice reconciliation. The church is not a place for perfect people, but for those willing to get up again and again, seeking to taste more of what God can do in relationships. The story of Peter diving into the water to meet Jesus, rather than hiding in shame, invites us to bring our regrets and failures into the open, trusting that God’s grace is always enough—seventy times seven, and more.
Reconciliation is not just a good idea; it is our calling. We are ambassadors of Christ, commissioned to feed and tend God’s sheep, to care for one another, and to witness to the world the extraordinary things God can do among us—even, and especially, in the places of deepest hurt. As we gather around the table of grace, we are invited to dive in, again and again, into the waters of God’s love, and to become agents of reconciliation in our homes, our church, and our world.
Key Takeaways
- Reconciliation is a Lifelong Practice, Not a One-Time Event
The journey of faith is not about a single moment of decision or a spiritual “renewal card,” but about continually returning to Christ, confessing our failures, and being restored. Each day brings new opportunities to practice reconciliation, both with God and with others, as we grow into the fullness of Christ’s love. [17:41]
- Regret Can Be a Portal to Healing, Not a Prison
When we face our regrets honestly, rather than running from them or wallowing in them, they become a doorway to truth and reconciliation. God does not use our failures to punish us, but to invite us into deeper honesty, healing, and freedom. The truth, as Jesus says, sets us free, and regret can be the beginning of that liberation. [48:54]
- Confession and Reconciliation Fuel Christian Community
In a community shaped by Christ, confession is not a shameful admission but a normal and necessary practice. When we normalize reconciliation, we create space for God’s miraculous work to take place among us, celebrating not our failures, but Christ’s persistent grace and the new life that emerges from honest relationships. [01:04:57]
- Practicing Reconciliation Means Embracing Imperfection and Perseverance
Like skaters learning a new trick, we will stumble and fall as we seek to reconcile with others and with God. The key is not to give up, but to get up and try again, trusting that each attempt brings us closer to the heart of God and to one another. This practice shapes us into a people who hunger for more of God’s transforming love. [01:04:57]
- We Are Called to Be Ambassadors of Reconciliation
Our calling is not just to experience reconciliation for ourselves, but to become agents of it in the world. As ambassadors of Christ, we are sent to feed and tend God’s sheep, to care for those around us, and to witness to the power of God’s love to heal even the deepest wounds. This is the heart of our mission and the mark of a true community of hospitality. [01:11:30]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Announcements and Community Life
[17:41] - Invitation to Reconciliation
[20:00] - Reflections on Spiritual Renewal
[23:30] - Early Pastoral Experiences
[28:00] - A Story of Marital Crisis
[32:45] - The Power of Regret and Personal Confession
[38:00] - The Practice of Reconciliation
[41:30] - Learning from Failure: The Skater Analogy
[45:00] - The Miraculous Nature of Reconciliation
[48:54] - Peter’s Story: Diving In, Not Hiding
[53:00] - Confession as a Pathway to Grace
[56:30] - Stories of Unlikely Reconciliations
[01:04:57] - Embracing Our Calling as Ambassadors
[01:11:30] - Communion and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Agents of Reconciliation
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### Bible Reading
John 21:15-17 (NRSV)
> When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NRSV)
> So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us.
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 21, why does Jesus ask Peter three times, “Do you love me?” and what does he command Peter to do each time?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 5, what does it mean to be a “new creation” in Christ, and what ministry are believers given as a result?
3. The sermon described Peter’s response to seeing Jesus on the shore after his failure. What did Peter do, and how is this different from how Adam and Eve responded to their failure? [[53:00]]
4. The pastor shared a story about a couple facing a crisis and how reconciliation unfolded. What role did regret and confession play in their journey? [[48:54]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus repeated his question to Peter three times, and how might this relate to Peter’s earlier denial of Jesus? What does this repetition teach us about restoration?
2. The sermon says, “Regret is the portal to reconciliation.” How can facing regret honestly lead to healing, rather than shame or avoidance? [[48:54]]
3. The pastor compared practicing reconciliation to skaters learning a new trick, falling and getting up again. What does this analogy suggest about the process of reconciliation in Christian community? [[41:30]]
4. 2 Corinthians 5 calls believers “ambassadors of reconciliation.” What does it look like for a church or individual to live out this calling in practical ways? [[01:11:30]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that reconciliation is a lifelong practice, not a one-time event. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to “return, confess, and be restored” again? What’s one step you could take this week? [[17:41]]
2. The pastor shared personal stories of regret and how they became opportunities for truth-telling and healing. Is there a regret you’ve been avoiding? What would it look like to bring it into the open with God or someone you trust? [[48:54]]
3. Confession and reconciliation were described as the “fuel of Christian community.” How comfortable are you with confessing your failures or hurts in community? What would help make this a more normal and safe practice in your small group or church? [[53:00]]
4. The analogy of skaters falling and getting up again was used to describe the journey of reconciliation. Can you recall a time when you “fell” in a relationship or in your faith? How did you respond, and what helped you get up and try again? [[41:30]]
5. The story of Peter diving into the water to meet Jesus, rather than hiding in shame, was highlighted. When you experience failure or regret, do you tend to hide or “dive in” toward God? What would it look like to trust God’s grace “seventy times seven” in your own life? [[53:00]]
6. The sermon called us to be “ambassadors of reconciliation” in our homes, church, and world. Who is someone in your life or community that you sense God might be calling you to reach out to for reconciliation or care? What’s a practical first step? [[01:11:30]]
7. The pastor said, “When we normalize the practice of reconciliation, we do not celebrate failure, but Christ’s persistent and miraculous ability to bring new life out of our messes.” How can your small group or church better celebrate stories of reconciliation and God’s grace? [[56:30]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to face regrets honestly, for grace to confess and be reconciled, and for the Spirit’s help to become agents of reconciliation in all their relationships.
Devotional
Day 1: Love Leads to Reconciliation and Service
Jesus’ repeated question to Peter, “Do you love me?” is not just a test but an invitation into deeper relationship and responsibility. Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus responds with a call to action: “Feed my sheep.” This exchange reveals that reconciliation with Christ is not a one-time event but a continual process of love, confession, and renewed purpose. No matter how many times we fall short, Jesus meets us with grace and calls us to care for others, turning our regrets and failures into opportunities for service and healing. [17:41]
John 21:15-17 (ESV)
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
Reflection: Where in your life is Jesus inviting you to move beyond regret and step into loving action for someone else today?
Day 2: The Power of Regret as a Portal to Reconciliation
Regret is not something to be avoided or buried; rather, it is a doorway to truth and healing. When we face our regrets honestly, we open ourselves to confession and the possibility of reconciliation, both with God and with others. Instead of wallowing in shame, we can lean into regret, allowing it to teach us, to humble us, and to draw us closer to the grace that sets us free. In this way, regret becomes the fuel for transformation and deeper community. [48:54]
John 8:32 (ESV)
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Reflection: What regret have you been avoiding that, if faced honestly with God, could become the starting point for healing and reconciliation?
Day 3: Reconciliation Is a Practice, Not a One-Time Event
Reconciliation is not a single act but a practice—a way of life that requires persistence, humility, and grace. Like learning a new skill, we will stumble and fall, but each attempt brings us closer to the heart of God and to one another. In the community of Christ, we normalize the need for reconciliation, not to celebrate failure, but to celebrate Christ’s persistent ability to restore and renew us. Every time we confess, forgive, and try again, we taste more of God’s miraculous love. [01:04:57]
Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Reflection: Who is someone you need to practice reconciliation with, even if it feels repetitive or difficult? What is one small step you can take today?
Day 4: We Are Ambassadors of Reconciliation
As followers of Christ, we are called not only to experience reconciliation but to embody it in the world. God has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation, making us ambassadors of Christ’s love and healing. This means carrying the message and practice of forgiveness, restoration, and hope into our relationships, our communities, and even among those we find difficult to love. Our calling is to witness and participate in the extraordinary things God can do through us. [01:11:30]
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from 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. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Reflection: In what relationship or situation is God calling you to be an ambassador of reconciliation this week?
Day 5: Dive Into Grace—Don’t Hide from God
When faced with failure or regret, the temptation is to hide, as Adam and Eve did in the garden. But God’s love pursues us, inviting us to dive in rather than run away. Like Peter, who leapt from the boat to meet Jesus, we are called to cast ourselves into the waters of grace, trusting that God will not abandon us. Each time we confess and return, we discover anew the joy and freedom of God’s persistent love, which is always enough—no matter how many times we need it. [01:04:57]
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been hiding from God’s grace? How can you “dive in” and trust His love for you today?
Quotes
so I tell you a pastor story this is from my very early days I had finished a career in the navy and uh short career in the navy and uh I mean I was a newly minted pastor and it felt weird um everything about it felt weird I was just it was harder than I thought um people wouldn't call me by my first name anymore adults older adults would say Reverend Bo or Pastor Bo it was very difficult to live into that role but I was trying my best and trying to figure out what it was I was supposed to do a couple came in to me um one day and uh one of the reasons by the way now yeah one of the reasons that they came to me is because I was the associate pastor and they didn't want whatever the senior pastor was going to do to them so they figured he's green he'll probably go easy on us they they came in they wanted to talk about a crisis that had erupted in their lives here was the crisis they were driving together in their truck and they stopped by the post office and the guy was driving the wife the wife I think they've been married for about three years she was going through the mail and she was like here's one I don't recognize this and he was like yeah go ahead and open it she did and then she read among other things I think the baby is yours [00:46:48] (80 seconds)
man and I'm sitting there I'm like what do you want me to do about it holy smokes so I I talked to him I said you know what we could approach this uh they wanted some pastoral counseling I said we can approach this like we do premarital counseling and just kind of go back to the beginning uh you know just kind of get back to the basics and and talk over that at the time I was meeting with uh the the two members of the couple individually as part of the process and uh so the next meeting I was going to have the first of these meetings was going to be with the husband who in this whole first meeting was kind of sitting back like [00:48:10] (43 seconds)
so I had this 20 mile drive to get to the church from where we lived in Whaleyville and it's a good thing you'll see why in a minute so I was driving newly minted pastor and I was thinking what's the best approach here and I thought I'm going to give him a piece of my mind this is you know he's trying to play this tough guy thing what he did to his wife right but you know it's a funny thing about 20 mile drives and Jesus is Jesus ever like I'm not going to say attacked but has Jesus ever like done some backseat driving with you in a vehicle I don't know what it is about vehicles and prayer but I started thinking about my own relationship [00:48:54] (48 seconds)
and uh you know we've been separated for two of those years and uh I thought about the time when we were engaged and uh the summer a year before we were supposed to be married I was just taking Vicki for granted all the time and one day she said I'm done and broke the engagement and uh that forced me to do some rethinking about where I stood and where we stood and then uh a little bit uh a little bit later on um we had been separated for a couple of years while we were in the navy I was in Japan we had been overseas on deployments and I fell in love with uh bicycle and I had had ridden it all over Japan and or at least the area in Japan where I lived and came home and did that and also kind of was learning how to love computers too and was doing a lot of those things and because I had gotten used to living alone and one day Vicki came into the room where I was messing with a computer I'm sure and said I will not be your roommate so I bought her a bicycle and we rode together [00:49:52] (78 seconds)
what is God calling you to experience as someone who is reconciled and in all of what God's love can do amen thank you [01:05:37] (25 seconds)
Epworth's annual church conference will be held on Zoom on Wednesday, June 11th at 6 .30 p .m. It's an opportunity to find out not only what's been going on here at Epworth and what we've got planned for the coming year, but also to find out what God is doing in other area congregations as we will be joining them in this cluster of churches or a group of churches in the area for our annual church conference on Zoom Wednesday, June 11th, and we'll have the link at a later date. [00:17:41] (33 seconds)
Our theme this Sunday is based on the last chapter of John, and the key verse is 17. Jesus said to Peter the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter felt hurt because Jesus said to him the third time, do you love me? And Peter said to Jesus, Lord, you know everything. You know I love you. Jesus said to him, feed my sheep. [00:14:50] (25 seconds)
Want to keep up with the great things happening in Camp Pachomath. I've got a couple of links there to the site, but also this Inside the Pavilion blog, which you can find on their site as well by clicking Camp Pachomath, and then the blog entry there up at the top. There's some wonderful stories. If you loved the stories that Augie Lankford was telling last Sunday, you can find more of those here at this blog and keep up with what's going on at Camp Pachomath. [00:17:13] (28 seconds)
In Christ, God reconciled and is reconciling the world back to wholeness and healing and health. And God has made of us all ambassadors of this love. Go and tell the world with this and with all that you are. Amen. Amen. Amen. [01:24:35] (29 seconds)
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