2 Corinthians 5:14–21 . . . For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not

imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of

reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

• We are moved to action by acts of Love, not hate

• We choose to live for Christ, not ourselves

• We joyfully receive as family everyone who receives Jesus

• We unapologetically Focus on the future, not to the past

• Our cry for Reconciliation is to be reconciled to God

• We believe all punishment for sin, ours and those who sinned against us was executed on Jesus, empowering us to live at peace with God and all others.

• We fearlessly choose to please God not man.

Galatians 1:10 . . . For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

John 18:28–33 . . . Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” 31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. 33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

• Don’t ignore the contradictions

• Don’t get drawn in by the pressure

John 18:39–40, 19:1 . . . “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbaswas a robber. 19:1 . . . So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.

John 18:34–36 . . . Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

• It’s not our fight – “If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews.”

Ephesians 6:12 . . . For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 . . . For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . .

John 18:37 . . . Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Acts 26:15–18 . . . So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

1. To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light

2. To turn them from the power of Satan to God.

3. So that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among the saints.

“You will never move consistently into your future until you let go that thing from your past!”