During the first several
centuries, anno domini, the civilized church stood back in awe and wonder as
they watched the Christian church in action.
The Apostolic Church started very quietly—but grew in strength, power,
and numbers until millions of people of different languages and nations came together,
even uniting bitter enemies. People were attracted to the dynamic and
enthusiastic & sacrificial love—which was shared by the rank and file, as they
loved one another the way that Jesus loves them.
This type of love—when shared
and received, has to the power to change and transform both the giver and the
receiver. Ever since I was 10, I have
been a star trek fan; we call ourselves trekkies. I recently saw a new updated you tube
episode, which picks us where the original series left off.
An alien was brought on board
ot the Starship Enterprise. He was very
old, and his life energy was draining away.
If things didn’t turn around, he would be facing death shortly. Well, in the meantime there was a massive
power surge throughout the starship’s electrical system, which electrocuted Lt.
Uhura, he communications officer. Within
minutes she died, and there was nothing that Doctor McCoy could do nothing to save her. However, the alien came over to the dead
body, and laid hands upon her, as if in prayer.
Suddenly, electricity flowed straight to through his hands and into her
body. The alien collapsed, and Uhura was
revived! But the ending was shocking.
Instead of depleting the life energy of the alien to the point death, the alien
found that his life energy had been totally res a state of health!! So by sharing his life energy, he received
even more. At the end of the episode,
Captain James Kirk philosophized, saying, “Self-sacrifice—it is the greater
power in the universe. You make
sacrifices for others, and then you become a recipient from your own
generosity.”
Well, by the time that that
episode was over, I was left wondering if the author was a Christian? This is
the Good news of Jesus Christ in a nutshell.
We are spiritually dead. Jesus
gives his life on the cross to redeem us.
In this ultimate act of love, He restores our life force through reconciliation
with God; the Risen Lord becomes the supreme source of eternal life energy. and Jesus becomes mightier than ever as the
Risen Lord.
So, how does this apply to
us? We are commanded to share our
love/our eternal life energy in at least one specific way: We are called to be agents of reconciliation. Would you please take out your sermon notes
and let us read # 2—which describes the chief work of God’s people: “All people who are of God, who have been reconciled
to himself by Jesus Christ, are given to the ministry of reconciliation. (2
Corinthians 5:18).
Today
I want to focus on just one piece of this ministry, by reflecting upon
occasions when either you or I are in a state of conflict with others.
Interpersonal conflict ravages families, communities, schools, churches, places
of employment, politics, and international affairs…and sometimes, we get caught
up in it in our own little worlds. And
while the conflict between nations may involve more people, our own conflicts
can sour or end relationships, adversely affecting others we care about who
become the unintended consequences.
The
Good News is Jesus has provided a three step process for us to use in seeking reconciliation. It is outlined in Matthew 18, can printed on
point # 3 in your sermon notes:
(1)
Jesus said, “If a fellow believer hurts you,
go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made
a friend.
(2)
If he won’t listen, take one or two others
along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again.
(3)
If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to
the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need
for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.
“Take this most seriously:
A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to
one another is eternal.—Matthew 18:15-20
So, let us look at step # 1. When hurt, we have a choice to forgive that
person in our heart, and to mean it; or to try to work it out, with an aim for
seeking reconciliation.
We can agree to disagree. We can take the initiative to better
communicate, so that misunderstandings can be constructively understood, that
we might relate to one another. And you
know what, this will benefit you as much as the other person. Years ago, I judged the actions of a friend,
which I was so certain he received as condemnation. After that, I did not see him, but secretly
felt guilty about it for ten years, when I met him again. Well, of course he immediately forgave me…and
I can remember that sense of freedom and friendship restored, which blew me off
my feet. There are too many
relationships where friendship has been replaced by estrangement. Give step one a try---seek reconciliation one
to one.
Step# 2—if that doesn’t work, then bring in a
3rd party. 18 years ago, my
wife and I were mad at each other…to the point that our children demanded that
we seek marriage counseling. It
worked. I had no idea how badly we had
been miscommunicating and hurting each other.
Our marriage has been all the stronger sense. Try having a 3rd party come speak
to you.
The final step: Take it to the leaders of the
Church—the wardens, the Rector, or someone you admire. This step has to do with the authority over which
you have entrusted your life, as a Christian, or as an employee, or whatever. Now, the purpose of this is not punitive, in
my view. Rather, it is an opportunity
for better encouragement to constructively and creatively resolve conflicts. It
is an opportunity for you to listen to wisdom, which might not come from your
peers and your circle of friends. And as
one who has waded into the turbulent waters of troubled relationships, I know
that this can help because I have seen it happen.
“Love one another, as I have loved you.” Jesus supplies the power of his love when we
seek His ways of reconciliation and peace.
May we all seek to follow the ways of the Prince of Peace. Amen.
The Rev. John Donnelly Easter 5 (c) 2016
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