1. The Bridge Church A Ministry of Reconciliation

2. A Ministry to Prisoners? Why?? 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19That 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. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf,, be reconciled to God. 21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJ)

3. Three Important Points A man in Christ is a new creature Were reconciled to God through Christ God had given us a job to do

4. First, A Man in Christ is a new person 17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.” NKJ

5. God Changes People: He Transforms Lives! 9 So then I thought to myself, that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; but also when they were put to death, I gave my vote against them. 11And I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even into foreign cities. Acts 26: 9-11 (NKV)

6. Chuck Colson Founder of Prison Fellowship

7. Steve Silver Stepping Out Ministries Life Transformed

8. Rebecca Hardin Missionary in Indonesia

9. Tina Huber serves in her community and ministers to women in prison through correspondence.

10. Second, We are reconciled to God through Christ….. “Now all these things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ Jesus ….” 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJ

11. 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19That 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. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf,, be reconciled to God. 21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5: 18-21 (NKJ)

12. Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.

13. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19That 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. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf,, be reconciled to God. 21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJ)