Message from Pastor Tim Amor at Beatrice Mennonite Church on February 5, 2017. This is the third message from our series "Sermon on the Mount," which goes through some of Jesus' teachings as found in Matthew chapters 5-7.

"Be Reconciled" goes through Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount as found in Matthew 5:17-26, with an emphasis on Matthew 5:21-26. Jesus calls us - as his followers - to be a community of active love, fellowship, and reconciliation.

We are to not be continuously angry with others, because holding on to our anger can destroy us. Holding on to anger gives sin an opening. Don't let your anger turn your life into Gehenna - a fiery pile of garbage.

We need to take responsibility for disciplining ourselves so that our capacity for anger is triggered by the same types of events that trigger God's anger: injustice, radical suffering, and oppression.

Unchecked anger leads to broken relationships, and we are to be reconcilers who make our adversaries our friends, not enemies.

So who in your life do you need to be reconciled with? Who do you need to forgive? Who do you need to apologize to?

Reconciliation is the way of Jesus. Reconciliation was embodied by Jesus. Reconciliation is a natural byproduct of throwing our whole selves into loving God and loving our neighbors.

Friends, may you be reconciled. May you be peacemakers in your families, in your communities, and in your workplaces. May you give your anger over to God and allow God to shape you so that you are slow to anger, and quick to love. And may you find reconciliation in all of your relationships as you forgive generously, and receive forgiveness with grace.