I have a friend who shared a four-part series from Journey Christian Church.  The link will guide you to the “Fight Club” messages.  Part 1 and 2 are testimonies that will knock your socks off!  WOW!  I listened to them several times.  Part 3 and 4 are from Andy Stanley on strategies.  The sermon notes on reconciliation are from Andy Stanley’s message (Part 4).  I enjoyed my time with my friend soaking up the notes, God’s Word, and our life stories.  It was timely and an answer to prayer.  I encourage you to listen to Jared’s (Part 2) story first about his father relationship, then Holly (Part 1).  That order seemed to flow better for me.

My next post will be on the amazing connection with this series and a sermon that I heard on Sunday, July 6, at Cloverhill Assembly of God.  God connects and is truly working!

Link to messages:

http://www.journeychristian.us/listen/messages/

Sermon Notes:

Reconciliation is not…

• Justifying your actions in the mind of the other person
• Being completely understood
• Convincing the other person that he or she was wrong

The goal of reconciliation is a relationship characterized by acceptance in spite of past offenses and current differences.

Objection:  What if they interpret my acceptance as condoning what they’ve done?

You have to decide if you are going to take a stand or build a relationship.

Reconciliation paves the way to a relationship, which paves the way to influence.

Strategies:

• Create a safe relational environment
• Prying or coercing does not work
• Safe environments are characterized by humility and acceptance
• Reconciliation is not primarily about conflict resolution

Motto:  The best defense is no defense

Reconciliation often requires that we shoulder the consequences and complications of someone else’s decisions. We’ve all been on the receiving end of that kind of sacrifice.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  2 Corinthians 5:21

Pride, anger, and hurt will be dealt with as you strive for reconciliation.  It’s worth the fight!

2 Corinthians 5:18 – And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.