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Friday, September 05, 2008

Fellowship of the Forgiven
By Pastor Eggebrecht @ 9:15 AM :: 73 Views :: Pastors Message

Our daughter Ashlyn is away at college, studying theater. She is becoming an expert on conflict! No, she doesn't argue with us every time we speak on the phone. Let me explain...

Ashlyn is learning that good theater, good drama, a good story, always involves conflict. Conflict is what keeps the audience engaged and interested. A good piece of theater has an audience straining to see how the conflict of a piece will be resolved. You can almost hear the sigh of relief when, at last, the conflict is resolved and everyone lives "happily ever after."

Conflict keeps our lives interesting, as well, doesn't it?! And not always in a good way. As the people of God, forgiven and redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we are called to forgive and be reconciled with one another.

In this Sunday's Gospel Lesson, Jesus gives us the precise steps we are to use in resolving conflict with one another. It begins with a one-to-one meeting with the one who has sinned against us. And it ends with the celebration of the whole church when sinful conflicts are resolved.

Resolving conflict is never easy. We need strength, courage, and faith to do it, and to do it right. That strength, courage, and faith comes from being fed by the Word of God and the fellowship of God's people on Sunday mornings. Please come and receive all that THIS Sunday!

Pray that Mt. Calvary would be known as a place of reconciliation. Bring others to the services of God's house where they will receive reconciliation with God. Tell others about Jesus, the one who has reconciled each of us to our heavenly Father.