Introduction:
As a car salesman I often find myself in the position of a mediator.
I stand between the manager/owner of the company and the buyer.
This position has caused me to think through what a mediator is called to do.
I. What is a mediator?
- “A negotiator who acts as a link between parties” (http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=mediator)
- “One who negotiates between parties seeking mutual agreement” (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mediator)
- “A person who helps resolve disputes between two or more parties.” (http://www.selfrepresent.mo.gov/page.asp?id=3772)
- Describe other mediators: lawyer, NFL agent, State Representative.
II. Do we need a mediator?
- Why? Our sin had separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2).
- Who? Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6; 1 Tim. 2:5).
- Result: God reconciled us to himself through Jesus (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
III. How can you be a mediator?
- Christians can tell people how they can be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:20-21).
- Christians can pray for other people (1 Tim. 2:1; James 5:16-18).
- Christians can help to resolve conflicts (Matt. 5:9; 18:15-17).
Conclusion:
Jesus has shown us the greatest example by being our Mediator to God the Father.
And we mustn’t forget that he still intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34).
We should follow in his footsteps in as many ways as possible.