THE MINISTRY OF DELIVERANCE AND RECONCILIATION

By Jeff Rath 6-98

The number of Christian ministries in the world today is almost endless. They range from huge, worldwide, multimillion member, corporate entities, to groups as small as two or three praying around a meal in someone’s home. This next statement will probably shock you; there is only one genuine ministry; the ministry of reconciliation that is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5; not any corporate entity instituted by man. For any ministry to be genuine it must tap into this one true ministry; the ministry of reconciliation, and the more a ministry taps into the ministry of reconciliation the more genuine it is, and the less it taps into the ministry of reconciliation the less genuine it is.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

There are three words we must understand: "angels", "apostles", and "ambassadors". All three are messengers sent from God to deliver a message. I suppose it is safe to assume that none of you reading this are angels; perhaps a few of you may be apostles, but all Christian believers are ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians chapter five is our commissioning. We are ambassadors entrusted by God almighty to deliver His message of deliverance and reconciliation. When Jesus Christ was here on earth he operated the ministry of reconciliation, but now God has given us the ministry of reconciliation, and God has given us the ability to carry out this ministry because he has given us His spirit and He has given us the Word of God. We need no longer look at our shortcomings because we have traded in our sins for righteousness; that makes us able ministers of the New Testament grace of God.

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor [meek]; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

The Ministry that Jesus Christ operated was a ministry of deliverance. The ministry of reconciliation is a ministry of deliverance. Jesus Christ did not reconcile man back to God by accusing man of all of his sins; God forgave us our sins, and Jesus Christ paid for our sins that is the only way it could be done. Any ministry that is imputing sins, and confronting people with how bad and sinful they are is not reconciling men to God they are driving men away from God; they are operating a ministry of alienation and condemnation, and that is not a ministry of deliverance. That is what the pharisees, saducees, and lawyers were doing.

Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

The lawyers here were not secular lawyers who practiced law in the secular courts. They were experts in the Old Testament law. They were the ones who knew the Word of God; you would think that they would be the ones who would be helping God’s people. No they had the Word but they were not reconciled to God and they were hindering others from being reconciled back to God. They would remind people of their sins and shortcomings instead of leading them to righteousness.

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes [once] were far off are made nigh [near] by the blood of Christ.

2:14 For he [Jesus Christ] is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

2:16 And that he [Jesus Christ] might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Jesus Christ reconciled both Judeans and gentiles back to God. We can now have peace with God because the blood of Jesus Christ has paid in full the penalty of our sins. We have a permanent personal access to God Almighty, and God has put us in his household. We are not aliens and strangers without God and without hope in this world, but we can help those who are. We no longer have any guilt or condemnation in the presence of God.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Believers are called several things in the New Testament: some of these are literal and some of these are figurative. Two of the figurative things we are called are soldiers and athletes. We do not literally go to war with the satanic spiritual forces of this world. Also we do not literally compete in an athletic sport with the Devil and his spirit realm. Christianity is not a military boot camp with a drill sergeant screaming at us to whip us into shape to go to a spiritual war. Also Christianity is not a football camp with a coach in our face putting us through athletic drills until we drop and then cutting those from the team that do not perform up to the coaches standards. We cannot turn the Biblical analogies of soldiers and athletes around backwards and apply all aspects of the analogy back to the Word. For instance, we are not literally sheep; we do not get our wool shaved off; in fact, we don’t even have wool. Do you get the picture; we can’t turn analogies around into literal situations. We can, however, learn many things from these analogies if properly understood and applied. But we are literally sons of God, and we are literally ambassadors for Christ. These are not analogies; these are spiritual realities and truths. It is not a question of whether or not we are ambassadors for Christ; the question is what kind of ambassador are we. Part of the ministry of reconciliation is being an ambassador for Christ.

What kind of ambassadors are we? Are we condemning, confronting, accusing, drill sergeants that are kicking those who don’t measure up off of God’s team; or are we walking in the love of God, and bringing people back to God through Jesus Christ. Which ministry are we operating?

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

We should leave the stealing, killing, and destroying to the thief. That is his job and he is very good at it. We are supposed to be reconciling people back to the life and abundance that is available from God through Jesus Christ.

Luke 4:16 And he [Jesus Christ] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel [God’s Word] to the poor [meek]; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

The ministry of reconciliation is a ministry of preaching, healing, deliverance, and liberty. When we were born again we were anointed with the gift of holy spirit, and we have been given the Word of God to carry out the ministry of reconciliation.

Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

We have been given the authority and power as ambassadors of Christ. People will be astonished when we speak the Word of God with believing and boldness; people will also be delivered and reconciled back to God.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

When we operate the ministry of reconciliation, we shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse world. We are giving people life by holding forth the word of life. Sometimes people get all concerned about how dark the world is. But we should really get excited about how good God is. God is light and he has no darkness at all. The darkness cannot stop the light; it only makes the light appear brighter. No matter how dark it is presently it is usually very easy to find several times in history where it was darker. The more we operate our personal ministry of reconciliation the lighter it will be.

Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8:8 And there was great joy in that city.

There will always be great joy when the ministry of reconciliation is operated, and God’s people are delivered.

There are five major types of reconciliation within the ministry of reconciliation. Which correspond to the five ministries within the church today.

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Each believer has the spiritual ability to operate aspects of each ministry. A believer’s life becomes a gift ministry when he or she develops their ability to operate one or more of these five ministries and operates the ministry of reconciliation in the love of God. We can all do some of each ministry but some people develop longsuits and expertise.

The five different types of reconciliation are:

1 – Evangelists – Winning the unsaved and unbelievers. Bringing the Word of God to those who have never heard before and to those who have never believed before.

2 – Apostles – Bringing the new light of God’s Word to the world. It may be old light, but it is new to those that here it.

3 – Prophets – Calling God’s people back to the Word of God. Foretelling and forthtelling of God’s Word. Speaking the Word even when it is not politically correct.

4 – Pastors – Healing God’s people with the Word of God, and binding up the wounds of God’s people.

5 – Teachers – Teaching the accuracy of God’s Word. Teaching the Word so that even a fool will not err therein.

Each of these ministries are listed in the plural. God does not limit himself to just one man with a ministry; instead God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Also each and every individual Christian believer has a ministry to carry out. Each one of us has been personally commissioned by God almighty to be an ambassador for Christ, and to operate the ministry of reconciliation. What are you doing with your own personal ministry? Are you shining as a light in a crooked and perverse nation or are you hiding your light under a bushel? Each and every believer is called to:

1 win the unsaved to Christ

2 bring the new light of God’s Word to the world

3 call God’s people back to the Word by speaking it boldly

4 heal and take care of God’s people that hurt

5 teach the accuracy of God’s word simply and powerfully.

A few of the believers will really walk in love and develop expertise in these areas and will operate these ministries to the point that they will have a gift ministry.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

In order to reconcile others we must continually reconcile our minds back to God’s Word by making our minds think what the Word says. When we do this then we will have the Word of reconciliation to help others.

Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

Some of those that claim to operate ministries are not reconciling God’s people; they are abusing and scattering God’s people. Ministries, ministers, and believers are all know by their fruit. How do they treat people? What is the long term effect of their ministry? Are people getting reconciled or scattered?

Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

An ambassador’s fruit should not be the destruction and scattering of God’s people. The fruit of our personal ministry should be; people won to Christ, people called back to God, people taught new light, people healed of their wounds, and people taught the accuracy of God’s Word. When we do these things in love [both phileo and agapeo] then we are faithful ambassadors.

Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. [healing]

As an ambassador for Christ we must speak the truth in love to be a faithful healing ambassador. There are those who quote the Word but it is not in love, they use the Word to hurt people. Job called them miserable comforters. Job had several awful things happen to him and he suffered some unpleasant illnesses, and his miserable comforters came and heaped up words against him. They would imply that Job had done some terrible sin and that God was punishing him. This is the last thing that anyone needs to hear, but man often can’t resist kicking another man when he is down. Job said that he would use words to heal if the situation were reversed. Finally Job realized that his miserable comforters were worse off that he was because of their wrong attitudes and misconduct, so Job prayed for them and Job got delivered. Job not only got back everything that he lost but he ended up with twice because he was a faithful ambassador.

Job 16:2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

16:3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

16:4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

16:5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

We can never let ourselves get to the point that we think that our little or large group has cornered the market on the ministry of deliverance and reconciliation.

1 Kings 19:14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Here the prophet Elijah is depressed and he is not only thinking that he is the only man of God left, but that he is the only believer left.

1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me [kept or reserved] seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

1 Kings 18:13 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the Lord's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

Elijah was not the only believer left, there were seven thousand others, and there were also one hundred other prophets of the Lord. So Elijah was mistaken when he thought that he was the only man of god and the only believer left.

God would never limit himself to one man of God and one group of Christians. Not when there are so many millions of Christians and thousands of ministers. It is still up to each and every Christian believer to operate the ministry of reconciliation.