Forgiveness and Reconciliation: A Call to Unity
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we gathered to worship and remember the life of Craig Clough, our full-time substitute organist who passed away suddenly. We also discussed upcoming events, including a food distribution at Riverbend Food Bank and my sending service next Sunday. As we move into our time of prayer, we reflected on God's grace, love, and forgiveness, and how these divine attributes manifest in our daily lives.
Our scripture reading today was from Ephesians 2:11-22, where Paul speaks about the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles through Christ. Paul emphasizes that through Jesus' sacrifice, the dividing walls of hostility have been broken down, creating a new humanity united in peace. This message of reconciliation is not just historical but deeply relevant to our lives today.
We then explored the concept of forgiveness, drawing parallels between Australia's Sorry Day, which seeks to heal the wounds inflicted on Aboriginal people, and the divisions in Ephesus that Paul addressed. Forgiveness is a powerful tool for rebuilding relationships, as demonstrated by the story of Everett Worthington, who forgave his mother's murderer. Worthington's journey teaches us that forgiveness is not just a personal act but a communal one that can transform lives.
Forgiveness begins with a simple apology, an unconditional gift that can start the healing process. It also involves taking active steps to make peace, just as Jesus did by abolishing the law and creating a new humanity. Finally, we are called to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us, breaking down walls of hostility and fostering reconciliation.
In our polarized world, this message of forgiveness and reconciliation is more crucial than ever. We are called to live out this formula for forgiveness by saying sorry, working towards peace, and forgiving others unconditionally. This is the life we are called to live as followers of Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Forgiveness: Forgiveness is a transformative act that begins with a simple apology. It is an unconditional gift that can start the healing process within us and in our relationships. This is evident in Australia's Sorry Day, where public apologies have helped to heal deep wounds. [45:31]
2. Active Peacemaking: Forgiveness is not just about words but also about actions. Jesus abolished the law with its commandments to create a new humanity, making peace between divided groups. We are called to take active steps to make peace in our communities, homes, and workplaces. [46:49]
3. Unconditional Forgiveness: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers us unconditional forgiveness, and we are called to extend the same to others. This is a challenging but essential part of our faith, as demonstrated by Everett Worthington, who forgave his mother's murderer. [48:38]
4. Reconciliation as a Communal Act: Forgiveness is not just a personal act but a communal one. It involves breaking down walls of hostility and fostering reconciliation among people. This communal aspect of forgiveness is crucial for building a united and peaceful community. [49:26]
5. Living the Formula for Forgiveness: We are called to live out a formula for forgiveness that involves saying sorry, working towards peace, and forgiving others unconditionally. This is the life we are called to live as followers of Christ, breaking down walls of hostility and fostering reconciliation. [50:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:05] - Announcements and Sad News
[07:00] - Serve-Out Opportunity
[07:55] - Upcoming Sending Service
[10:38] - Greeting and Prayer
[26:57] - Prayer and Reflection
[28:14] - Children's Moment
[34:27] - Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22
[36:57] - Memorial Day and Sorry Day
[38:38] - Reconciliation in Ephesus
[42:16] - Story of Everett Worthington
[45:31] - The Power of an Apology
[46:49] - Active Peacemaking
[48:38] - Unconditional Forgiveness
[49:26] - Communal Reconciliation
[50:10] - Living the Formula for Forgiveness
[50:58] - Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 2:11-22
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul say has been broken down through Jesus' sacrifice according to Ephesians 2:14? ([35:19])
2. How does Paul describe the new humanity created through Christ in Ephesians 2:15? ([35:19])
3. What are the two groups mentioned in Ephesians 2:11-12, and how were they divided before Christ? ([34:27])
4. What is the significance of Jesus being referred to as the "cornerstone" in Ephesians 2:20? ([36:10])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the breaking down of the "dividing wall of hostility" in Ephesians 2:14 relate to the concept of forgiveness discussed in the sermon? ([35:19])
2. In what ways does the story of Everett Worthington illustrate the communal aspect of forgiveness mentioned in Ephesians 2:16? ([42:16])
3. How can the example of Australia's Sorry Day help us understand the importance of public apologies in the process of reconciliation? ([37:45])
4. What does it mean to live out the "formula for forgiveness" as described in the sermon, and how does this align with Paul's message in Ephesians 2:11-22? ([50:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to forgive someone. How did you feel before and after offering forgiveness? How does this experience relate to the idea of breaking down walls of hostility? ([35:19])
2. Think about a relationship in your life that needs healing. What steps can you take to initiate reconciliation, starting with a simple apology? ([45:31])
3. How can you actively work towards peace in your community, home, or workplace? What specific actions can you take this week to foster reconciliation? ([46:49])
4. Jesus offers us unconditional forgiveness. Is there someone in your life you find difficult to forgive? What steps can you take to move towards forgiveness, even if it feels challenging? ([48:38])
5. How can you incorporate the practice of saying sorry and making peace into your daily life? Share a specific situation where you can apply this formula for forgiveness. ([50:10])
6. In what ways can you support communal acts of reconciliation in your church or community? How can you encourage others to participate in these efforts? ([49:26])
7. Reflect on the message of Ephesians 2:11-22. How does understanding that we are all part of a new humanity in Christ change the way you view and interact with others? ([36:10])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a transformative act that begins with a simple apology. It is an unconditional gift that can start the healing process within us and in our relationships. This is evident in Australia's Sorry Day, where public apologies have helped to heal deep wounds. Forgiveness is not just a personal act but a communal one that can transform lives. The story of Everett Worthington, who forgave his mother's murderer, teaches us that forgiveness is a powerful tool for rebuilding relationships and fostering reconciliation.
Forgiveness is a divine attribute that we are called to emulate. It begins with a simple apology, an act of humility that can open the door to healing and restoration. In the same way that Australia's Sorry Day has helped to mend the deep wounds inflicted on Aboriginal people, our apologies can start the healing process in our own lives and communities. Forgiveness is not just about saying sorry; it is about taking active steps to make peace and rebuild relationships. This is a powerful reminder that forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves and others, a gift that can transform lives and communities. [45:31]
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV): "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 2: Active Peacemaking
Forgiveness is not just about words but also about actions. Jesus abolished the law with its commandments to create a new humanity, making peace between divided groups. We are called to take active steps to make peace in our communities, homes, and workplaces. This involves breaking down walls of hostility and fostering reconciliation among people. Active peacemaking is a crucial part of our faith, as it reflects the love and grace of Christ in our daily lives.
Active peacemaking requires us to go beyond mere words and take tangible steps to create peace. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross abolished the law with its commandments, creating a new humanity united in peace. This act of reconciliation is a powerful example for us to follow. We are called to be peacemakers in our communities, homes, and workplaces, breaking down walls of hostility and fostering reconciliation. This involves listening, understanding, and taking action to address the root causes of conflict. By actively working towards peace, we reflect the love and grace of Christ in our daily lives. [46:49]
Matthew 5:9 (ESV): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to promote peace in your community, home, or workplace?
Day 3: Unconditional Forgiveness
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers us unconditional forgiveness, and we are called to extend the same to others. This is a challenging but essential part of our faith, as demonstrated by Everett Worthington, who forgave his mother's murderer. Unconditional forgiveness is a powerful act of grace that can transform lives and relationships. It requires us to let go of our grievances and extend the same grace that we have received from Christ.
Unconditional forgiveness is a cornerstone of our faith. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers us unconditional forgiveness, a gift that we are called to extend to others. This is a challenging but essential part of our faith. The story of Everett Worthington, who forgave his mother's murderer, is a powerful example of the transformative power of unconditional forgiveness. It requires us to let go of our grievances and extend the same grace that we have received from Christ. By doing so, we can break down walls of hostility and foster reconciliation in our relationships and communities. [48:38]
Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? How can you begin to extend unconditional forgiveness to them today?
Day 4: Reconciliation as a Communal Act
Forgiveness is not just a personal act but a communal one. It involves breaking down walls of hostility and fostering reconciliation among people. This communal aspect of forgiveness is crucial for building a united and peaceful community. We are called to live out this formula for forgiveness by saying sorry, working towards peace, and forgiving others unconditionally. This is the life we are called to live as followers of Christ.
Reconciliation is not just a personal act but a communal one. It involves breaking down walls of hostility and fostering reconciliation among people. This communal aspect of forgiveness is crucial for building a united and peaceful community. We are called to live out this formula for forgiveness by saying sorry, working towards peace, and forgiving others unconditionally. This is the life we are called to live as followers of Christ. By doing so, we can create a new humanity united in peace, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our daily lives. [49:26]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering reconciliation in your community? What steps can you take to break down walls of hostility and promote unity?
Day 5: Living the Formula for Forgiveness
We are called to live out a formula for forgiveness that involves saying sorry, working towards peace, and forgiving others unconditionally. This is the life we are called to live as followers of Christ, breaking down walls of hostility and fostering reconciliation. By living out this formula, we can create a new humanity united in peace, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our daily lives.
Living the formula for forgiveness involves three key steps: saying sorry, working towards peace, and forgiving others unconditionally. This is the life we are called to live as followers of Christ. By saying sorry, we acknowledge our mistakes and take the first step towards healing and reconciliation. By working towards peace, we take tangible actions to address the root causes of conflict and promote unity. By forgiving others unconditionally, we extend the same grace that we have received from Christ. By living out this formula, we can create a new humanity united in peace, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our daily lives. [50:10]
Romans 12:18 (ESV): "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to apply the formula for forgiveness? How can you start today by saying sorry, working towards peace, and forgiving unconditionally?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God, your peace is felt when we know that you are the one true God. That we are being lifted up in prayer. Holy one, you are the song in every singer's heart. You are the touch in every lover's embrace. You are the spark in every creative moment. So open our hearts to praise you. And we hope that we would open our lives and they would please you." [26:57] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus Christ is our peace. Our peace, says Paul. He has made Jew and Gentile into one people and broken down that dividing wall that is the hostility between us. In Ephesus, Jesus created not necessarily, sorry, David, a peace day. He reconciled people one to another, broke down the dividing walls, eliminated the hostility." [40:53] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In our polarized, our fractured, our utterly broken country today, we need that kind of peace. That kind of unity. We need it now more than ever. But we've got to work for it. We've got to work for it." [47:49] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus took our sins on the cross, and reconciled us to God. We didn't deserve it, but he did it. In response, he asks us to forgive those who hurt us, and to take steps to be reconciled to the people around us." [48:38] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus wants us to join him in breaking down the walls of hostility being reconciled to one another. We do this. We do this by saying sorry, by working towards peace, and by forgiving others, just as Christ unconditionally has forgiven you and me. That's, my friends, the formula for forgiveness. That's the life we're called to live." [50:10] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Forgiveness begins with just saying sorry. Just saying that one word. If you have offended someone, apologize. Your words do not have to be perfect, but they are that first step in rebuilding that relationship. Psychologist Tyler Okamoto, again, he describes an apology as a gift, a gift that comes without expectation. Isn't that great? Even if your apology is not accepted, it's the beginning of a process within you." [45:31] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We can still, and we must still, work for peace in our communities, in our homes, in our workplace, wherever we are. Jesus is the cornerstone of everyday peacemaking effort, and he wants us to work for the reconciliation, so that we and our neighbors are no longer strangers or aliens, but instead, Paul says, fellow citizens with the saints, and also members of the household of God." [47:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Everett Worthington, he's a couples counselor, psychologist. A professor who's in almost his entire career has been devoted to researching forgiveness. He's a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. One day though, he received a phone call from his brother, giving him a message that severely tested his own ability to forgive. Everett was told that his mother had just been killed in a home invasion and their child had been held at home in Knoxville, Tennessee." [41:24] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Everett made the decision to forgive that person who killed his mother just 24 hours after her death. And Everett said that he can't explain exactly how he got there. So quickly. But he's certain that the experience helped him then refine his life's purpose. That murder, he says, resulted in a lot of positive changes in my life. It solidified my belief that forgiveness can change lives. And I formulated my life mission statement, which is to do all I can to promote forgiveness in every willing heart, every home, every homeland." [42:16] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Everett and his siblings were asked if forgiving the murderer dishonored their mother. Independent of one another, they all three made almost exactly the same decision. Exactly the verbatim, the same response. They said, Mama taught us to forgive, and it would dishonor her if we didn't forgive. That's true for us too, friends, if we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ. He taught us to forgive, and we dishonor him when we do not forgive." [50:10] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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