Named, Part 4: Ambassadors of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:18-20
       ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

To embrace the name Ambassadors of Reconciliation, we must be…

Reconciled to (Genesis 39:21)

Reconciled to (Genesis 41:52)

Reconciled to (Genesis 45:1-7)

…in that order.

A Model of Reconciliation  GENESIS 45:1-8
       Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. ² And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
       ³ Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
       ⁴ Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! ⁵ And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. ⁶ For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. ⁷ But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
       ⁸ “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.

The Right Path of Reconciliation

1. Right

2. Right

3. Right

4. Right

5. Right

6. Right

7. Right

8. Right

9. Right

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good
to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20

Key Truth

You are to the ministry of reconciliation.
You are not responsible for the .

Small Group Questions

1. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? It’s just one month away!
2. Grant told us the elk story. Have you ever carried around a burden that needed to be cut loose? What happened when it was finally gone?
3. Why is being reconciled to God, self, and others important in the order God desires? Which of the three is the most difficult for you?
4. Look again at the story of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers. Are there any other “right” statements you would add?
5. Has God shown you an area of your life that began with harm but is now being used for good? Can you share about it?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?