Forgiveness

Forgiveness

I did something I don't usually do. When reading the bible I usually have a plan on what I'm reading for the day. Today I went to the bible and opened it to a random page just not even thinking. I had opened up to Matthew 18 and tucked into that page were sermon notes on forgiveness. Forgiving your brother who sins against you. Man, what an answer to prayer. After reading this I understand how people get so puffed up, and how their hearts get so hardened (including my own heart) that a snowball effect occurs. Is it coincidence that after the parable of the unforgiving servant comes chapter 19, which concerns divorce? I think not. There is a reason why God calls us to forgive eachother, not only because he commands it, but because it is for our own good! Now bust out your bible and let's go over these notes on forgiveness.

Read Matthew 18:21-35

The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35)

How many times should we forgive someone? (Mat. 18:21-22)
- Peter asks how many times should we forgive someone? Seven times?
   * Think about this, seven times is way more than the normal amount of forgiveness in those days
   * Jesus responds with forgive 77 times more than that
     - Jesus is simply making a point, there should be no artificial limit on forgiveness

- V. 23-35 Jesus gives us a parable
  * The parable challenges us against our bitterness against others
  * The parable also shows us God's forgiveness he demonstrates on us (v. 23-27)

-V. 23-27
  * Talks about talents... Talent- greek word for weight- so 10,000 talents is a lot of debt.
  * 1 talent = 15 years of wages for the average workers pay
  * So Jesus here is portraying an impossible amount of debt to pay off
    - This is Jesus's picture of the sin debt we have accumulated in God's sight

-V. 26- The servant begs for patience

-V. 27- The master forgives the servant of his debt out of compassion for him
   * Reflect here... This servant had an eternity worth of debt, and the master forgave it... done
   ** Like this servant, we have accumulated debt every waking moment that we could never pay off without forgiveness - Colossians 2:12-14

-V. 28-35
   * v. 28-29 This story is identical to what the first slave did
   * v. 30 instead of forgiving, the first slave threw slave #2 in prison
   * Jesus is portraying that it is not acceptable to receive forgiveness and not forgive others
   * v. 34 the first slave would be tortured in prison until all the debt was payed (like us in hell)
     - However the first slaves debt was not payable just like our debt that we have before a perfect God

3 Lessons we can take away from the parable:

1. We must forgive under ANY circumstance
2. We must have full and complete restoration of a relationship after repentance
3. If a Christian who can't forgive is holding a grudge, then perhaps they have never experienced forgiveness from God

** Think about the debt we owe God if we struggle with forgiving others**

Today's song is Forgiveness by Toby Mac (<--- Click the song title)... "we all need forgiveness"

5 Steps to Perseverance (James 1:1-12)

1. Having a Joyous attitude (James 1:2)

- Just because we are Christians we are not free from trouble

  - Our response to our troubles is to "consider it all joy"

- When processing our trial, look ahead to its benefit- (looking past the moment of sorrow)

- Hebrews 12:12-13- having the attitude that the moment is tough but the future is much better

- Job 23:10- Testing of your faith and perseverance 

2. Having an Understanding mind

- What do you need to know?

  - The testing of your faith produces endurance (v. 3)
  - Trails cannot destroy true faith
    + Faith is a gift from God and if we believe, it is secure in us forever
    + Faith can be tested- which reveals our true faith
    + True faith endures/ perseveres
    + Through trials, God is not destroying our faith, He is manifesting it

  

  - You can remain under ANY trial and endure- God is doing a work in your life to develop your spiritual strength to be more useful
  - God uses suffering to refine, strengthen, and keep us from falling
  - Suffering drains us from all human resources and to rely on God
    + Suffering teaches us obedience and self-control
    + Suffering is an inevitable struggle with the sin within us

  

  - When you go through a trial, God is allowing it

  

  - 1 Corinthians 10:13- we are never tempted to where we are not able

  - Know the purpose of that trial

3. Having a Submissive will (v. 4)

- Let it happen, submit to the trial, and then let it go
  -(go back to notes on Faith... submit to the trial and put your faith in God)
- Let God do what God wants to do (Psalm 37:7)- just rest
 - Let God bring you to that spiritual maturity

4. Having a Believing heart (v. 5)
- When you ask God for wisdom, you get re-directed to the word
- God also uses circumstances in your life to guide you
  - Whether with advice from a teacher or a friend

- Rejoice in suffering because Christ is exalted
  - if we believe, our position before God is enough
* If we believe we have an inheritance that does not fade away

- Ask for Wisdom (v.5-8)
  - Wisdom- a practical understanding of the issues of life
    + Wisdom is at its premium when under trials
    + Where do you go for wisdom? (Job 28:12 you want wisdom? Don't look to the world)
    + Fear of The Lord is wisdom
    + Proverbs 3:5 - not trusting in your heart/ own understanding
    + God may bring trials in our life to elevate dependance on Him
      - He gives to us generously and without reproach if we seek Him

- Pray (v.5)
  - If you are going to pray, pray believing in Him
    + v.6 praying in faith without doubting
    + if you doubt then you are "double minded" and this NOT a sign of a true believer
      - Therefore we need to put our faith and trust in Jesus whole-heartily

5. Having a Humble spirit (v. 9)
- Let the brother in humble circumstances rejoice because his spiritual status is one in exaltation... in Christ the poor are exalted. Cast aside by men but approved by God.
   - his position before God is enough in this world
   - Those who are poor and in Christ have the blessing of eternal riches
      + If we attach our joy to any economic or material status then we don't have joy in Him

- (v.10) Let the rich boast when they lose it their riches, they shouldn't have any pride in their possessions anyway
   - Let the rich rejoice in whatever humiliates them, that goes for all in social status. All of us need to be humbled in life
   - Faith fills the rich person with the spirit of Christ, there the poor and rich are equal in Christ
   - Don't attach yourself too tightly to what you have, its all temporary

Song of the Day- Your Heart by Chris Tomlin. Song about David and works well with these notes :) Enjoy!      Click Here--> http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2O-m6GxEX2o

Image of God

The Image of God

(By clicking on red scripture, a pop up window will come up with the scripture)

We have to submit our own instincts/beliefs on who God really is by scripture and not by our own experiences, other people's experiences, etc.

- God is transcendent- above us and beyond us

- yet he comes to us in his glory and grace and love, and patience, etc. to us (imminence) 

• we feel as if we are entitled to God's grace, so the image of God is distorted 

Here is the image of God...

Isaiah 6

V. 1- description on God- lofty chair suggests he is king over all, the superior king

  * God's robe is filling the temple

  * the train of his robe- sounds like a wedding gown for royalty, so the robe here sounds like the longest train imaginable, suggesting his majesty

V. 2- seraphim- sinless holy creatures

  * seraphim are covering their face, they can't even look upon God's beauty and royalty- they are worshipping God 

  * seraphim are also covering their feet, suggesting a humble posture

V. 3- holy holy holy- suggests how marvelous his majesty is, like lord of lords, king of kings... His holiness is unfathomable 

V. 4- the seraphim are calling back and forth with such passion and intensity that the foundations of the temple shutter/tremble 

  * this could be what worship will look like in days to come

  * the smoke may convey the purity of God since Isaiah had a burning coal touched to his lips to purify him

V. 5 only when  we see how Holy God is do we realize how ruined we are before God

  * Isaiah sees that in comparison to God, we are leveled as a people. No matter how you compare yourself to another believer, how holy they seem, we are leveled by our sin. Everyone is level

- but God, rich in mercy, is not obligated to save anyone. The fact that he saves people is astonishing.

- really who Isaiah is seeing here is Jesus.., a king on a thrown in a temple. We would imagine a king on a thrown would be in a palace. But this scripture suggests a king and a high priest is sitting here in the temple. So the only king and high priest is Jesus. Also notice how he saves Isaiah in 6-8 - we are saved through Christ!

V.9 God tells Isaiah I want you to preach what people will reject and ridicule

  * be faithful to these people even though they will reject because it will bring fulfillment in the coming messiah- the truth will prevail in the end 

Song of the Day! Our song is greater by Chris Tomlin--- Click here--> Our God is Greater

New Year Resolutions

New Year Resolutions

So many people go out and make New Year resolutions. New Year resolutions are a great thing, but how many people actually stick to it and follow those changes they want to make? Let’s look at a list of new year resolutions made by people this year:

1. Weight Loss/working out
2. Stop Smoking
3. Learn Something new
4. Eat Healthier and Diet
5. Be less stressed 
6. Drink less
7. Make a health appointment
8. Devote more time to hobbies
9. Visit a new destination
10. Help someone else (described: so it will make you feel better)

- All of these resolutions are not necessarily bad things. In fact many, if not all, are good ideas. However what us the common theme of these resolutions? - Self. Self improvement, making yourself feel better, satisfying yourself... you get the idea. As Christians, we need deeper and less self-centered resolutions. Resolutions that bring God all the glory! 1 Corinthians 10:31 says,  “So, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” So what should a Christian’s new year resolution look like?

Sanctification- a firm resolution

- always an active (not passive) movement of my will to entrust myself to the Lord

Difference of resolutions with Christians and non-believers

- the Christian makes resolutions devoted to the Glory of God

- "I want to do something to bring God glory"

- not "I want to make myself happy"

Proverbs 28:13- turning from your sin/weaknesses

- Christian life is a Romans 12:1-3 sacrifice to bring God the glory

- We don't grow passively we grow actively 

- 1 Cor. 10 - temptation is common to men

Some good resolutions to consider:

- Resolve to not try and sanctify others (wife)

- Resolve to serve Christians in the church

- Resolve to believe God is good, wise, and sovereign when life is tough

- Engage in gospel conversations with people in my life

- Putting to death fear of man

A resolution to focus on...

- Resolve to softening our hearts while listening to the word

   ---Hebrews 3+4 - resistance to the word of God and hardness to it show that that believer was never changed

   --- those who put themselves in a pattern of not obeying God's word have their hearts hardened and therefor do not believe

-All these resolutions are Christ honoring and are essential for our walk with Christ. Not only do I challenge you to pray and actively engage in these resolutions but to also click this link and see these resolutions by a man named Jonathan Edwards when he was 19 years old.  Click here--> Jonathan Edwards Resolutions

Song of the day! Click here--> Take Me In- Kutless

Luke 2 Jesus Birth

                   Luke 2 Jesus birth

- the greatest message to hit what ever the prophets had proclaimed

- Luke is about to parallel these things side by side

      * parallel between the birth of John and Jesus and all tat happened in ch.1

      * Luke is paralleling the narrative accounts to promote Jesus's birth significance

The birth of Jesus

- the savior quietly arrives

- v. 1-7 Pregnant Mary arrives in Bethlehem 

- at this time a census was being taken for taxation by Caesar Augustus

- God leads Mary to Bethlehem through this census that Augustus put out

    - this was prophesied in Micah where he said Bethlehem is the place

- Joseph and Mary arrive in Bethlehem looking for a place they could afford ("the inn") and there was no room there

- they were then ushered back to the courtyard where the animals of the inn were stored

- it was a cooler part of the season

    - FYI Mary was a 14-15 year old, afraid and was her first birth

    - all she has is Joseph for support, in a small dirty animal stall

    - Joseph must have felt helpless and discouraged, maybe disappointed that all he could supply for Mary was a dirty manger 

- Then it happens, Mary gives birth to her firstborn son... Jesus 

    - now full realization happened to Mary and Joseph... We're going to be the parents of the savior... Such marvelous wonder for them

- that child is not like any other birth 

    - Phil. 2:5-8- from Jesus perspective, as the 2nd in the trinity, he came in existence of God but did not give himself the equality of God 

    - v. 7 he emptied himself as a slave

- for Mary and Joseph, they marvel in the fact that they gave birth to the savior

- for Jesus at his birth, he gave himself as a worldly slave setting himself apart from God

- no god would ever be viewed in such a poor reflection... Ultimate humility 

    - amazing! Jesus humbled himself... Why? John 1:12 for Jesus to become the self revelation of God for us! The word became flesh... Gods word in the flesh... Jesus... God's self expression is Jesus

- at this moment, salvation is possible!

Song of the Day! Click here---> Jesus in Disguise- Brandon Heath