Category: Forgiveness

Blood Brothers and Sisters

6/4/2018

46% of children with live both married parents
34% live with one unmarried parent
Children of Broken Homes:
70% become juvenile deliquents
57% become prison inmates
63% Teen suicides
75% drug users

(Pew Research Center)

48 But [a]Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
Matthew 12:48-50

Who is our family?

Jesus loved his biological family. He even took care of his mother when he was hanging on the cross. But then scripture above is when he stated that his family is Believers.

There are expectations we should meet in the Family of God.

1. God given talents are to be put to use.

5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.' 1 Corinthians 12:5-6

2. There should be growth.

"but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

3. There should be maturity.

"When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I [a]became a man, I did away with childish things." 1 Corinthians 13:11

4. There should be forgiveness.

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22

"For if you forgive [a]others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive [b]others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." Matthew 6:14-15

Our lack of forgiveness will hurt us. You need to let it go.

5. There should be encouragement.

Build each other up.

"Therefore [a]encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Encourage through spoken word.

"Let no [a]unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification [b]according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."
Ephesians 4:29

Togetherness

"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

6. There should be discipline when necessary.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent." Revelation 3:19

Discipline with a reason.

"For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:10-11

Discipline with love.

"My son, do not reject the [a]discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11-12

7. It should be a support group.

Share joy and pain.

26 "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if onemember is [a]honored, all the members rejoice with it." 1 Corinthians 12:26

Get together.

"not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

You should feel the loss of the family of God if you don't have one.

Fellowship.

7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

8. It should be a place of love.

Love is the fulfillment of the law.

Identified as members by visible love.

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Devoted.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; [a]give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the [b]saints, [c]practicing hospitality." Romans 12:10-13

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Three Truths

1/21/2018

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26"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29

Jesus's death was necessary.

"In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22

"God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished" Romans 3:25

Jesus's sacrifice means we can have a personal relationship with God. Also means we can one day walk with Him in heaven.

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:18

Jesus died for this opportunity.

1 Cross + 3 nails = 4Given!

Our faith has to be based on the right thing -- Jesus.

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:54

When your faith is based on Jesus you will be raised in the end.

Jesus provides salvation only if it is a faith we can't do without.

'For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." Romans 12:3

The 2nd "last supper" is called The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing watersand like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:6-9

The disciples understood what Jesus was doing when He offered them the cup. It was the picture of what happens between a young couple getting engaged. When the man of the couple offers the woman the cup of wine it means he is offering her himself, his entire life, his all. She has the choice of whether or not to accept the cup even though negotiations and contracts have been drawn up. She has freewill. When she accepts the cup she is saying my life is yours. I am dedicated to you. You are my future.

When we accept Christ's cup, his blood, we are saying we are His. We are dedicated to Him.

Do we accept the cup?

When Jesus handed them the bread and the cup He was offering everything.

1. Have you asked for forgiveness?

2. Are you living your life in a way that honors Jesus's sacrifice?

3. When Christ returns and we're at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will we see people there we've shared the good news with?

I don't want anyone to be missing.

We live with the consequences of our decision.

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The Gospel: Romans 1-3

10/22/2017

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The uncomfortable truth of the world and the message of grace and salvation.

Hell is a reality -- always has been (before and after Jesus's time on earth).

The Gospel is Good news.

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Romans 1:20

Everyone has seen God's handiwork.

21 "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles." Romans 1:21-23

"Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done." Romans 1:28

"Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1:32

God says okay, I'll step out of your life and you can have what you want.

Usually, the worst of the worst are the celebrities.

I want to be famous. I don't care why (so many people say).

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." Romans 2:1

We are also accountable.

Are you judging someone for something you yourself do? We cannot take our grace for granted.

"All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law." Romans 2:12

You'll get what you gave.

There is no one without sin.

There is no one who can follow the Law perfectly.

We all want to be graded in a curve.

That's not how it is.

Pass or fail.

You're with me or against me (Jesus says).

"No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God." Romans 2:29

People like to make rules. That isn't worship.

3"What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar.As it is written:
“So that you may be proved right when you speak
    and prevail when you judge.”[a] Romans 3:3-4

God's faithfulness is constant.

God never changes.

He doesn't have to change for us.

God didn't change with the gospel.

God is a just God.

We are His or we aren't.

Are you His?

10 "As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11     there is no one who understands;
    there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
    they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
    not even one.”[a]
13 “Their throats are open graves;
    their tongues practice deceit.”[b]
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[c]
14     “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[d]
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16     ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”[e]
18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[f] Romans 3:10-18

There is no one who is sinless (except Jesus Christ).

None of us are equal to God.

We cannot survive without Him.

The law doesn't save. It condemns.

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousnessis given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:21-23

Here's the other side of it.

We can overcome who we are through Jesus Christ. You have to accept Christ to get there.

He didn't create it to be a fallen world.

We've trashed His creation.

Perfect justice, perfect Love.

"and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—" Romans 3:24-25

This is wonderfful news if you accept it.

It is heartbreaking if people reject it.

"Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law." Romans 3:31

Jesus helps us to uphold the law.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Matthew 5:17

Paul gets to the good news in chapter 3!

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The God of Do-overs

8/27/2017

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Sorry folks! Forgot my recording device today so I can only give you a few notes. See below:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Cor 5:17

"4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7

No greater love.

We all need a do-over right off the bat. Jesus didn't come to tell us we were wrong but to tell us how to get right with God.

Don't dwell. Let it go.

"13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14

redemption -- to have debts paid. Jesus redeemed us for all time.

Jesus is our do-over. God completely forgave us. Forgive yourself. Let go of the negative self-talk

"7But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]" John 8: 7-11

Holy Spirit convicts, doesn't condemn.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2 Corinthians 7:10

worldly sorrow = regret but no repentance
People can regret without repenting.

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:4

"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left," Hebrews 10:26

"21Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
Matthew 18:21-22

We have no right to NOT extend grace and forgiveness to everyone. We have been forgiven so much.

"1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The truest sign of repenatnce is loving others and forgiving others.

God can fix you too.

How would you like a fresh start?

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

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Blood Brothers and Sisters

Three Truths

The Gospel: Romans 1-3

The God of Do-overs

Shannon Hinrichs

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