The Uniqueness of Jesus- Part 3
Week of December 18, 2016
Colossians 1:19-20
1. What is the most intense fight, physical or non-physical, that you have ever been in with
a friend or family member?
2. How did you reconcile your relationship with that person?
We all get into confrontations and fights that lead to a need for reconciliation, and that
reconciliation always costs something. Similarly, spiritual reconciliation involves a change and
exchange that redeems a person back to God at great cost. We are reconciled to God by
grace through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
3. Read Colossians 1:19-20. Why is it important that Jesus is the fullness of God? What
does Christ’s death accomplish and what does that call you to do?
In order for Christ to be able to save and reconcile people, He must have the power and
authority for salvation and reconciliation. He must be fully God, infinite and eternal, so that He
can accomplish an eternal reconciliation. This reconciliation is not universal, though some
might raise up this one verse out of the context of Scripture to argue that it is. This is not the
case, as the Bible on numerous occasions speaks of the condemnation of unrepentant people
(see Matt. 25:46). Christ’s death reconciled us, aliens and enemies, to God making us holy
and blameless before Him on the account of what Christ did.
4. How were you alienated and hostile toward God? How did your actions show your
hostility and how are you different today?
Prior to salvation and reconciliation accomplished by Christ, we were sinners in our thoughts,
words, and actions. Certainly, the death and resurrection of Christ and faith in Him has
changed us. We now have the freedom to live a life devoted to God, a life that praises God
because of our reconciliation. Without this work, no part of the abundant life that we enjoy
would be possible. We could not love God, unite with others, serve the world, or entrust the
gospel. The work of reconciliation is critical for all that we do.
5. Read Romans 5:6-11. What words are used in this passage to express what the death of
Christ accomplished for us and what do they mean? Why are those words important to
understanding the death of Christ?
6. Is there someone you would die for, if so, who and why? What does logic say someone
will die for, and how was Christ different?
7. How are we supposed to respond to God because of the reconciliation we have
received? What does that look like in your daily life?
Paul described the timing of Christ’s death as “while we were still helpless” and “at the right
time.” Christ did not die for us when we were worthy of being saved, He died at the right time
when we were helpless. Paul focused on the greatness of grace by pointing to the fact that it is
illogical for someone to die for another person, especially an unrighteous person. The
greatness of Christ’s reconciliatory death is found in the fact that He died to reconcile those
who are caught in sin, hostile and helpless. In light of the great work that Jesus did, Christians
are called to rejoice in God and praise Him for the reconciliation they received.
8. Read Romans 5:12-21. How did Paul illustrate the problem of sin and God’s plan for
fixing it?
9. What did Adam accomplish and in what way was sin in the world through Adam? How
did Jesus’ work affect our standing with God?
Paul showed the depth of our reconciliation by using a comparison of Adam and Christ. Adam,
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as one man, brought death and sin into the world. Sin began immediately even though it was
not imputed onto someone’s account until the Law articulated sin. Christ, also as one Man,
brought a free gift of grace that is different from the sin. Adam’s sin was one sin that caused
many deaths, the gift on the other hand was one gift that covered many sins. This death
brought justification and reconciliation to believers.
10. How does understanding the work of Adam and the work of Jesus affect your heart
toward God?
By understanding the gravity of the sin and the greatness of the gift, we can see the glory of
God’s love. By knowing God and what He has done for us, we have freedom to follow His
commands, to praise Him, and to live a life for His glory.
11. What would you say to someone who believes God’s grace can’t provide forgiveness
for his or her sins? Is that different than what you tell yourself? If so, how?
12. What can you do this week to keep the reality of your reconciliation present in your
thoughts? How might your week look differently if you do?
13. How can your group hold each other accountable to both focus on the Gospel and
entrust it to someone else this week?
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