The Bridge Church

A Ministry of Reconciliation

A Ministry to Prisoners? Why??• 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are

passed away; behold, all things are become new.

•  18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

•  19That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

•  20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, , be reconciled to God.

•  21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJ)

Three Important Points

• A man in Christ is a new creature

• Were reconciled to God through Christ

• God had given us a job to do

First, A Man in Christ is a new person

• 17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.” NKJ

God Changes People: He Transforms Lives!

•  9 So then I thought to myself, that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

•  10 And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; but also when they were put to death, I gave my vote against them.

•  11And I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even into foreign cities. Acts 26: 9-11 (NKV)

Chuck ColsonFounder of Prison Fellowship

Steve SilverStepping Out Ministries• Life Transformed

Rebecca HardinMissionary in Indonesia

Tina Huber serves in her community and ministers to women in prison through correspondence. •

Second, We are reconciled to God through Christ…..

• “Now all these things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ Jesus….”

• 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJ

•  18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

•  19That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

•  20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, , be reconciled to God.

•  21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

• 2 Corinthians 5: 18-21 (NKJ)

Isaiah 42:3

• A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21•  18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself

through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

•  19That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

•  20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, , be reconciled to God.

•  21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJ)