Pastor Rich's Sermon, August 15, 2004

Have you ever been to a restaurant that had a sign displayed out front in BOLD letters, UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT? What you discovered was the same quality of food and the same quality of service. You didn’t notice anything that was significantly new, in spite of the signs proclamation, UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT.

Of course if the restaurant was good before the new management you would probably be glad that nothing changed. If the restaurant wasn’t good and you went there hoping to see what new management has done to improve the restaurant. You would be very disappointed if you found nothing had changed.

The restaurant Fresco’s is a prime example of what new management can do. Before Fresco took over, you had a steak and seafood restaurant that stood empty. The word about the restaurant was that serving sizes were small and prices were high.

If you owned that restaurant and night after night just a few if any customers were dining there what would you do? I would like to think that if it were I, that I would ask why? What changes must I make to get customers? Apparently the owner was content in doing nothing, because within a year the restaurant closed.

New management came in. They redecorated. They served bigger portions. They didn’t reduce prices, but because of the quality and quantity of the meal you receive the prices are not objectionable.

Fresco’s is a prime example of what can happen when new management takes over. The apostle Paul is a prime example of what happens when we are UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. Under his own management Paul was rounding up believers to kill them. Under new management, God’s management he was rounding up non-believers to convert them to Jesus Christ.

You and I, because of our faith in Jesus Christ, are UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. At least we are supposed to be under new management.

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

When Paul spoke about beginning a new creation he was not referring to tummy tucks, liposuction, and face lifts. He was talking about a faith lift. He was talking about being filled with the Holy Spirit of God.

When you made your confirmation of faith did you surrender management of your life to God or just confirm a belief in Him? Confirmation is not about turning over a new leaf. Confirmation is about beginning life under new management, the management of God. The very God whose love compelled Jesus to die on the cross.

“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 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Notice once again what God did for you and me. God reconciled us to Himself through Christ AND gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

What did God do? He reconciled AND He gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Now what does that mean? It means we are to be peacemakers. We are to live in peace with everyone.

What Paul is telling us is not some new idea he has come up with. Paul is reiterating what Jesus has taught us.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peace makers,
for they will be called children of God.”

God desires restoration of relationships.

Matthew 5:23,24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. FIRST go and reconcile to your brother, then come and offer your gift.”

God expects you and me to make the first move. It doesn’t matter if we are the offended or the offender. The old saying ‘time heals everything’ is not true when it comes to restoring relationships. The longer we wait the harder it becomes. Hoping that time will heal your relationships is like hoping that time will heal a dirty infected cut. You and I know that won’t happen, so why do we expect it to happen with regards to reconciliation.

Matthew 7:5
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from
your brother’s eye.”

Pointing your finger and casting blame does not bring reconciliation.

Reconciliation requires sympathy, which means you focus on feeling instead of facts. You focus on the hurt before focusing on the solution.

Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.”

Too often when seeking reconciliation people make the mistake of attacking the person instead of the problem. Reconciliation focuses on relationship.

Reconciliation is exactly what God desires.

“Be reconciled!”
2 Corinthians 5:18

God…gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Who do you need to restore a broken relationship with today?

Who do you need to be reconciled with?

Are you willing to take the first step as Jesus Christ took the first step for you?

“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 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Our thanks to the My Gospel Midi Page for the Hymn
"Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow"