October 20, 2024
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ...” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NIV) ~
RECONCILE. RECONCILED. RECONCILER. RECONCILIATION.
These are words that most of us don’t use all that often. There’s a pretty good reason for that. These words are mostly used in the financial accounting world.Aworld that I along with most of you reading this do not live in.
However, in the office next to mine here at First Southern, there sits one who lives in that world. Jean is our Bookkeeper. Jean lives in a world I understand very little of. She lives in the world of numbers and spread sheets.
Though I seldom understand what she is doing I do understand why she is doing it. She spends hours and hours each week reconciling our financial books. In laymen’s terms, she is making sure every penny given in our offerings each week is accounted for. That every bill is paid. That every staff member is paid their salary. (For that last one I am especially grateful!)
All that said, Jean is our reconciler. Jean reconciles our books. In her financial world, she checks our financial accounts against what our bank says for accuracy.At the end of each month, it’s always good to hear her say “We are Reconciled.”
However, there is another vital way “RECONCILATION” is, or can be, experienced by everyone. Though it is not in the financial world, it works much the same way. It is used in the spiritual world.
“That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:19 (NIV) ~
Every human being on earth owes a debt to God that we cannot pay. It is the debt of sin. We are all out of balance with God’s goodness His righteousness. That means we have no claim on heaven based on God’s accounting.
But in His great, steadfast love, God brought the books into balance. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into our sinful world 2000 years ago. Jesus made the payment for our sin debt. The price was His blood His death on the cross. Jesus became our reconciler!
Today, we all have the same options because we all have the same spiritual Bookkeeper. We can accept His work on the cross and be reconciled to God or we can continue to live out of balance, apart from God. The first choice leads to a relationship with God as his child here and eternity in heaven. Unfortunately, the second choice leaves us away from the joy of God’s presence with us here today and in eternal (agonizing) death for eternity.
I finish today with the words of two hymns. One the statement of the Christian life. The second, the plea to those of you who cannot yet make the first statement.
Reconciled, I’m Reconciled I’m Reconciled To God Forever Reconciled, I’m reconciled I’m reconciled to God forever Know He took away my sin I know his love will never leave me never Reconciled, I am His child I know it was on me He smiled
The King’s Business
This is the message that I bring, A message angels fain would sing: “Oh, be ye reconciled,” Thus saith my Lord and King, “Oh, be ye reconciled to God.”
Blessings on your week. If you are reconciled to God, you know it. So, why not share that truth with someone who still needs reconciliation with God. Become a reconciler. I am looking forward to seeing ll wrap up our study of the four one URGENT that theApostle Paul took the time to write this URGENCY OF RECONCILIATION
P.S. We are kicking off our annual special offering for ourArizona Mission Network. I am asking you to pray for the great work that is being accomplished here in Arizona and around the world for Jesus Christ.And pray about the gift God would have you give. Our church goal will be revealed this Sunday morning!
ScheduleforSunday,October20,2024:
The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM Room #201
Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM Room #202
Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM Room #206
Preschool Worship opens @ 10:15 AM in KID CITY
Sunday Morning Worship @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center
Kidz4Christ dismissed to KID CITY during Worship time
Church Council Meeting @ 4:30 PM on Zoom
Schedulefortherestoftheweek:
Tuesday@ 10:00 AM Men’s Bible Study in Room #202 Women’s Bible Study in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday@ 6:20 PM Choir Rehearsal in Room #203 @ 6:30 PM Youth Group in Fellowship Hall
Thursday@ 6:00 PM Mid-Week Bible Study in Fellowship Hall
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IF YOU NEED HELP OR ASSISTANCE Deacon of the Week: Paul Marshall 928-999-2109 with our activities.
Church Council Zoom Meeting October 20 @ 4:30 PM
Collecting sleeping bags and warm clothing through October 20th
YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITY @ ANTELOPE LANES, PV SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2024 FROM 3 PM—6 PM
$7 includes rental shoes and lane use for three hours. [bring extra $$ for eats]
