Introduction: Christ confronts us at the altar: worship becomes truthful when repentance restores the neighbor our sin has wounded.
1. God prioritizes reconciliation because Christ commands us to leave the gift when another holds grievance against us (Matthew 5:23–24).
A. Remembering a brother’s grievance exposes worship that outwardly honors God while inwardly resisting repentance.
B. Leaving the gift demonstrates that reconciliation is not optional preparation, but obedience essential to sincere worship.
2. We must initiate peace because Christ says, “First be reconciled,” placing responsibility before religious performance (Matthew 5:24).
A. Seeking the wounded person first supports the thesis by turning repentance from emotion into humble action.
B. Returning afterward to offer the gift shows reconciled relationships and liturgical worship properly belong together.
3. We must reconcile urgently because delay hardens conflict and brings escalating judgment (Matthew 5:25–26).
A. Agreeing quickly with an adversary supports the thesis by rejecting pride before estrangement becomes spiritually destructive.
B. Christ’s courtroom warning reveals that unresolved wrong is serious, making immediate peacemaking the faithful response.
Conclusion: Therefore, examine your relationships before worship, confess your wrongs, seek forgiveness promptly, and then offer God a reconciled heart.
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