The Greatest Command

Mark 12:30-31

The Greatest CommandGod

Me

Steps 1-7

The Greatest Command

We have gone to great lengths to examine our hearts, so we might not engage the world in fear, self-preservation, self-delusion, arrogance, aggression, guilt or greed, but out of God’s redemptive love.

The Greatest CommandGod

Me

others

Steps 8-9

Reconciliation (transformation) of our hearts vertically will lead to a demonstration of His love horizontally. As our hearts are reconciled to His, we will see more clearly how to act in accordance with His will.

Seeing Rightly

Old Testament Example:

Eze. 14:1-6

New Testament Example:

Matt. 7:3-5

Seeing Rightly

Resentments

Who Why - The Cause The AffectWhat part of "Self" was hurt or

threatened?My Role (done with sponsor

after praying through each one)

List the persons, institutions or principles with whom we are/were angry or who may have hurt us.

Ask yourself why you are/were angry? List the specific action I did or that was done to me.

The affect that action had on my life.

Social SecuritySex

Relations

Ambitions Exact nature of My wrongs

Self-

Esteem

Personal

Relationshi

ps

Material

Emotional

Social

Security

Sexua

l

Selfish /

Self -center

ed

Self-seeking

Frightened

Dishonest

Inconsiderate

 Mr. Brown• He is kind to my wife

  X    X  X     X           

 • Told my wife about my mistress

  X      X  X  X X           

 • Took my job at the office

X  X  X X    X X            

 Wife•Likes being around Brown

  X  X                   

  • Wants a divorce X  X X X X X X X          •Tells me I’m a looser

X

 Employer •Fired me X  X X X   X X            

 Mrs. Jones•Gossips about me/ruined reputation

 X X  X   X              

                                                      

.

 

Biblical Peacemaking IReconciliation and Amends

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Matt. 5:9

Where are we headed?

Ministry of Reconciliation2 Cor. 5:11-21

Ministry of Reconciliation

Motive = Love of ChristMessage = Reconciliation

Means = Jesus ChristMethod = Gospel

Step Eight: We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

 

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Rom. 12:18

Step Nine: We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel, when a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.

Num. 5:5-7

The Seven A’s of Confession by Ken Sande

ADDRESS everyone involvedAVOID if, but and maybeADMIT specificallyACKNOWLEDGE the hurtACCEPT the consequencesALTER your behaviorASK for forgiveness

 

Fundamentally, relationships break down because of sin. If there was no sin in the world, relationships would work harmoniously, evidenced by love and unity. When relationships are broken, we take it as an opportunity to draw near to God and with the help of the Holy Spirit search our hearts while being encouraged in the context of a gospel-saturated community.

Redeeming Truth of Steps Eight and Nine

Where we have sinned, we can be reconciled to God by grace through faith in Christ and receive forgiveness. As one forgiven by God, we can humbly approach those who have been affected by our sin and make amends. Additionally, we always forgive from our hearts when we are sinned against by handing offenses over to God (positional forgiveness) and stand eager to demonstrate grace and extend forgiveness to those who ask for it as ambassadors for Christ (relational forgiveness). In this way, fellowship with God and among His people is preserved.

Redeeming Truth of Steps Eight and Nine (cont.)