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Click here to liste to the sermon on Sunday. 14mins  (See book review 'Speaking of Sin' by Barbara Brown Taylor)

Click here to listen to the sermon on Wednesday. 13mins

2 Cor 5v14-19                  Ministry of reconciliation

John 15v9-17.                   Jesus commands us to love one-another.         

Reconciliation.

“Christ’s love compels us.” v14

‘So from now on” v16   Paul really expects that there will be a change in behaviour from those in Christ, compared to those living in the world, from this point on.

The model of the world, ‘in our natural human behaviour,’ is that we often fight and argue for what WE want, thinking of SELF first, like little children who know no better.

People use lies, dishonesty, deception, half truths, intimidation, bullying and all sorts of tactics, in order to get their own way and win the day.

In politics and the media ‘this week’ we have seen this played out as though it is an acceptable part of the game. And sadly people seem to accept it as such.

This type of behaviour enforces distance, divisions, separation and is called SIN.

It separates us from each other, and from God, and also ecologically from creation as well, causing harm and damage in all these relationships.

It is a behaviour pattern dominated by ‘Self Interest’ and has recently been seen in the banking system, with huge record profits at a time of massive financial collapse and hardship for millions of people. Ironically and criminally, the ones who got rich were the ones who caused the problem. Sin born from self interest!  Repentance and restoration is required for justice.

But Paul says, “From now on we regard no-one from a worldly point of view.” V16

He is saying that we who are in Christ are not to act in this way, living self-ish lives, but now in Christ we should live self-less lives in order to please him, just as by example he gave himself sacrificially to reconcile us.

“Christ died for all and those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them, and was raised again.”v15

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!”v17

Note, “The old has gone, the new has come!” We chose every day to put off the old self and to put on the new in the Spirit. This is our joyful worship of Christ to God’s glory, encouraged by the Holy Spirit within. It is our choice out of obedience to Christ, to love one another.

God has reconciled us to himself by love and forgiveness through Christ, he calls us to carry on this ministry of reconciling the world, in all our relationships, socially, economically, ecologically etc, using the same tools, gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, because we love Christ.

Those who live this way, live closer to God and know his peace.  The Sheep or wheat.

Those that do not live this way distance themselves from God.     The Goats or weeds.

It is ‘Christ’s love that compels us,’ to live self-lessly and in love for others and for God and as stewards of all of his creation!

Click here to listen to the talk by Julian Heyes at the family service.  17mins

Sermon below by Moya Lethbridge.

2 Cor. 5:14-19

John 15:9-17

Are you “joined to Christ”? (2 Cor. 5:17) or “in union with Christ”? (v21)  This is GNB translation of phrase “in Christ”.

I am – and love him.

What is your picture of being joined?  Two pieces of wood at a corner?  (The Carpenter of Nazareth wants joiners).  An engine and carriage?  Linked but distant.  A marriage that’s good?

The marriage picture in Scripture from Adam is “bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh”.  Not just physical union though – knowing heart, soul, mind, spirit, as one gets after 60 years!  Paul said, “That I may know Christ”(Phil. 3:10).  Jesus said, “eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ” (John 17:3).

This Corinthian passage says “in Christ”, “joined to Christ” is a new creation. (v 17).  Another picture is new birth.  Jesus said “That which is born of the flesh is flesh but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”. (John 3:6). 

Union with Christ is key to all God’s riches.  Song, “To know him is to love him…” and out of that love comes everything we are and do.  This is what makes us God’s friends (2 Cor. 5:18-20).  No-one can be a friend of God outside of being “in Christ”

If so important – how get there and what prevents it?

It takes faith to surrender all to Jesus, asking him to forgive and receive me.  Theologian A.W. Tozer prayed “God be merciful to me a sinner” and was born to a new creation.  I “looked to Jesus” when paralysed in sin – not just words, throw your whole self on him.

Unbelief can hinder – can I trust him to catch me?  (Like a child into a Father’s arms).  Hebrews 11:6

Fear of consequences – will I have to give away all my money and be a missionary to darkest Africa?  Probably not, but have to trust his plans are loving and good for you. (Jer. 29:11)

Pride of life – “I am a self-made man and I worship my creator”!  (1 John 2:16)

It takes humility to admit I need a crutch – not just a crutch a total life support system!

What are the results of being “joined to Christ”?

It becomes a life work to know deeper and deeper union – Paul said, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and share the fellowship of his sufferings that I may attain to the resurrection of the dead”.  (Phil. 3:10-12)

Not just after death (though the resurrection of the body is true) – but live the resurrection life like Jesus.  “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25).  Miracles!

And as in the gospel today, the power to “love one another” (John 15:12).  Jesus tells us he loves us as the Father loves him (v9) – how much is that?

Adds joy (v11) – full joy.  Love and joy fruit of new creation, being joined to Christ.  All other fruit of Spirit comes with him.  He is God’s whole package deal!  The more I am joined to Christ the more I can love.  It is true.  I have proved it. 

Have you?