SABBATH

God's Gift to Us

Sermonette: The Last Great Day of Reconciliation

#FT21-08PMs

Given 28-Sep-21; 22 minutes

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description: Ephesians 2:14-16, describing the breaking of the middle wall of partition between us and our Creator, strongly reminds us that reconciliation is needed only if we have had a broken relationship to begin with. God did not create rebellion, but He did create free will, giving us a choice, which our carnal nature sabotages because it is enmity against God and His holy law. God, before the foundation of the earth, and before Eve partook of Forbidden Fruit, had a backup plan, namely the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who became our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1), a permanent, changeless priesthood, unlike the temporary mortal Aaronic Levitical priesthood. We as the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16) are priests in training, also after the order of Melchizedek, trained to become reconcilers and peacemakers, under the leadership of our King, Redeemer, and Elder Brother, Jesus Christ. Part of our training involves suffering to attain the empathy and compassion required of a priest (II Corinthians 5:18-20; Psalm 85:10). A priest cannot perform his intercessory role until he is cleansed. We, as God's people, must sacrifice ourselves for reconciliation as Christ sacrificed Himself for us. As priests in training, we are obligated to follow His example.