As we celebrate Jesus' victory over death, we reflect on the topic of grace and forgiveness.
In a world of revenge and equal compensation, Jesus flips it on its head and says to forgive.
Forgiveness is hard
Freedom is hard. Sometimes it’s a push. But when you taste freedom, you realize it’s worth it.
Forgiveness is not compromise. ~ Cook & Baldwin
Forgive
How many times do I forgive? Jesus answer is, always.
Forgiveness means letting go. It means being willing to accept that we are all mortals flawed and suffering, imperfectly made and trying our best. ~ Russell Brand
This doesn’t mean that there are no boundaries or consequence. It just means that both parties choose to live free of the infraction.
Parable
As you have been given
The reason we are to forgive is that we have been forgiven.
How can I expect forgiveness if I am unwilling to forgive? ~ Russell Brand
Forgive as you have been forgiven.
Grace
While Jesus talks about the power of forgiveness, the reason that you can forgive is that we have done something first—we have extended grace
What is it
Grace doesn’t brush over our sins and failures and faults—it sees them clearly in all their technicolor mess. ~ Bell & Bell
It considers the immense brokenness in what has happened.
The gospel of Grace announces, forgiveness proceeds repentance. ~ Brennan Manning
Whether you repent or not, I’m going to be free and I’m going to free you.
extend
Though we didn’t deserve it, God showed us, love.
He did not delay, but ran crying out loud by his words, deeds, death, life, descent, and ascent—calling us to return to him. ~ Augustin
Power from the one
Though we had no power to pick ourselves up out of the muck of life, Christ can.
Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He presented himself for this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to be ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. ~ Romans 5:6 (MSG)
If asking forgiveness is putting the power into someone else’s hands than grace is god saying I will put the power back in your hands.
Humility—lifting up
While forgiveness can create superiority, us waiting for someone else to look up and say, I’m sorry—God gives grace.
Grace lifts others up and admits you are not superior, that we’re all the same.
Grace is saying, but for God, I too would be lost to the eternal consequences of my misdeeds.
Next Steps
- Allow grace
- Show grace
next week – Q & R Sunday - submit your questions to connect@lifeboatchurch.ca
Anchor Group Questions
Hangout Warming up to the topic
- As we begin to discuss Grace & Forgiveness, what are some questions you have about it?
Hear Listen to God through Scripture
- Read Matthew 18:21-22
- What are some circumstances that you find hard to forgive?
- How do you feel about Jesus words?
- Read Matthew 18:23-25
- What are your thoughts and feelings about this story?
- Read Romans 5:6-8
- How do you see grace being different from forgiveness?
- Who do you need to give grace?
Huddle Make it personal and pray together
- What has God been saying to you through this week’s teaching? Talk about the next steps in your life and pray for each other.
- How can we be a safe place for others—a place to be known and loved?