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Showing grace to others. The family likeness. Week 5 40 Days of Grace. Mike Taylor Forest Community Church Sunday 14 October 2018. Where we’ve been so far …. Where we’ve been so far …. Week 1: how amazingly good the good news is. Where we’ve been so far ….
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Showing grace to others The family likeness Week 5 40 Days of Grace Mike TaylorForest Community ChurchSunday 14 October 2018
Where we’ve been so far … Week 1: how amazingly good the good news is
Where we’ve been so far … Week 1: how amazingly good the good news is Week 2: all the reasons we don’t receive it
Where we’ve been so far … Week 1: how amazingly good the good news is Week 2: all the reasons we don’t receive it Week 3: how we can get drawn back into living by the law
Where we’ve been so far … Week 1: how amazingly good the good news is Week 2: all the reasons we don’t receive it Week 3: how we can get drawn back into living by the law Week 4: how grace makes us want to live good lives
Where we’ve been so far … Week 1: how amazingly good the good news is Week 2: all the reasons we don’t receive it Week 3: how we can get drawn back into living by the law Week 4: how grace makes us want to live good lives Week 5: … ???
Where we’ve been so far … Week 1: how amazingly good the good news is Week 2: all the reasons we don’t receive it Week 3: how we can get drawn back into living by the law Week 4: how grace makes us want to live good lives Week 5: …
Our response to God’s grace A desire to live good lives.
Our response to God’s grace A desire to live good lives. … but how, exactly?
Our response to God’s grace A desire to live good lives. … but how, exactly?
Our response to God’s grace A desire to live good lives. … but how, exactly?
Our response to God’s grace A desire to live good lives. … but how, exactly?
Our response to God’s grace A desire to live good lives. … but how, exactly?
What does God require of us? “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ […] Freely you have received; freely give.” — Matthew 10:7-8.
What does God require of us? “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ […] Freely you have received; freely give.” — Matthew 10:7-8. Jesus tells us to give others what God has given us.
What does God require of us? God has been kind to us:we must be kind to others.
What does God require of us? • God has been kind to us:we must be kind to others. • Slow to judge (Luke 6:42)
What does God require of us? • God has been kind to us:we must be kind to others. • Slow to judge (Luke 6:42) • “Keeping no record of wrongs”
What does God require of us? • God has been kind to us:we must be kind to others. • Slow to judge (Luke 6:42) • “Keeping no record of wrongs” • Quick to forgive
Many examples of “forgive as God forgave” “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” — Matthew 6:12.
Many examples of “forgive as God forgave” “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” — Matthew 6:12. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” — Matthew 6:14-15.
Many examples of “forgive as God forgave” “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” — Matthew 6:12. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” — Matthew 6:14-15. “When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” — Mark 11:25.
More examples of “forgive as God forgave” “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” — Luke 6:37
More examples of “forgive as God forgave” “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” — Luke 6:37 “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32.
More examples of “forgive as God forgave” “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” — Luke 6:37 “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32. “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” — Colossians 3:13.
This is amazing grace It’s not normal to forgive people.
This is amazing grace It’s not normal to forgive people. If you’ve nodded at everythingwe’ve said, we’ve not explainedit right.
What does God require of us? Jesus' summary of the Law and the Prophets:
What does God require of us? Jesus' summary of the Law and the Prophets: 1. Love God
What does God require of us? Jesus' summary of the Law and the Prophets: 1. Love God2. Love your neighbour
What does God require of us? Jesus' summary of the Law and the Prophets: 1. Love God2. Love your neighbour Why? Because he first loved us! (1 John 4:19)
What it’s like to live this way Not a contract.
What it’s like to live this way Not a contract. Not that we grudgingly accept we must forgive.
What it’s like to live this way • Not a contract. • Not that we grudgingly accept we must forgive. • More like: • Celebration of the joy we've been given
What it’s like to live this way • Not a contract. • Not that we grudgingly accept we must forgive. • More like: • Celebration of the joy we've been given • Sharing of the nature that we've inherited
What it’s like to live this way • Not a contract. • Not that we grudgingly accept we must forgive. • More like: • Celebration of the joy we've been given • Sharing of the nature that we've inherited • Enjoyment of the family likeness
Living this way is better for us • Letting go of unforgiveness is: • Less stressful
Living this way is better for us • Letting go of unforgiveness is: • Less stressful • Less complicated
Living this way is better for us • Letting go of unforgiveness is: • Less stressful • Less complicated • Less demanding
Living this way is better for us • Letting go of unforgiveness is: • Less stressful • Less complicated • Less demanding • More fun
Living this way is better for us “To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison with it. But yet there is one thing sweeter still, and that is to forgive. As it is more blessed to give than to receive, so to forgive rises a stage higher in experience than to be forgiven.” — Charles Spurgeon, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit 31:287f.
Living this way is better for us “Run, John, run, the law commandsBut gives us neither feet nor hands,Far better news the gospel brings:It bids us fly and gives us wings.” — John Bunyan.
Living this way is better for us “Run, John, run, the law commandsBut gives us neither feet nor hands,Far better news the gospel brings:It bids us fly and gives us wings.” — John Bunyan. Evangelism becomes“Come and see what God has done!”
But don't we have to “take a stand”? “What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets inflamed with wild notions. Their morals are decaying. What is to become of them?”
But don't we have to “take a stand”? “What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets inflamed with wild notions. Their morals are decaying. What is to become of them?” — Attributed to Plato, 400 BC.