Showing Grace
COMMUNION SUNDAY
TK: We need to be ready to forgive just as God is ready to forgive us-we need to mirror God’s grace to other people
TD: See past the circumstances and get at the root
Why: people will never see the love of God unless we are there to show it to them..
Be willing to separate sin as far as east is from the west…given us authority to forgive sin…modeled how to do it…Jesus gave us authority…
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(Joh 3:16 NIV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(Rom 5:8 NIV)
Father forgive them…
This is the love God had for us…we were guilty…we deserved punishment…we’ve all done wrong. Even before we acknowledged it…before anyone ever thought to ask for forgiveness…while we were still trying to cover it up…Christ died for us.
God took the first step to show us love…and give us hope…and provide us with an answer to our problem.
Definition of Grace:
Goes beyond mere forgiveness…John 1:12 (he gave the right to become children of God).
“Pure grace is neither treating a person as he deserves, nor treating a person better than he deserves, but treating a person without the slightest reference to what he deserves.”
“the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.”
Seth.evans@mntc.org
Create some drama on the front-They don’t deserve to be forgiven! At what point do they not deserve it?
Argument with spouse
Backstroms…what is your child…
Ok to be mad…but how are you going to respond.
Be prepared to forgive…they should ask…you be ready….
DO they really know what they are doing…try to see them as God does…
Seth: guys deserve prison, but the real problem is the addiction…that is causing them
Troy…doesn’t have the tools to deal with the real addiction
We all have addiction
Takes someone to notice, to care in order
Bill Davis…worse thing was to get away with it…
See past the junk…see them as God does…let them experience God’s love….
Next time?? Person keeps messing up….is the expectation that they would just keep repeating the pattern….alwasy want to be leading them to growth/change….
No depth, no height can separate you from the love of God?
Need to save things with salt…what if we showed the world grace,love.encouragement
Don’t give people a reason to accuse you.
Backstroms…do you forgive or do you harbor bitterness and anger
Two criminals on the cross
Is the person you just met closer or father away from knowing the Love of God?
Christians tend to be the worst tippers
Follow up on having the heart of a hero…looking for opportunities to make a difference..making the most of every opportunity…
We stand out in this world when we show God’s grace to people…do the unexpected.
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. (Luk 6:27-29 NIV)
Turning the other cheek not about letting people run over you. Living in peace not about being weak and accepting of everything people do/say.
About doing something people don’t expect.
Father…forgive them for they know not what they do…(video clip?)
How much do people really realize they are hurting themselves, others? Do need to discuss it…have you told them you forgive them..have you talked to them?..what if they do it again?...talk to them again…keep at it…
Are you judging their actions or their intent…
Forgive seven time seventy…point where you may forgive, but don’t keep putting self in situation
May need help from others to help you forgive
Unforgiveness hurts you