Encountering Jesus the Savior
When we encounter Jesus the Savior, the depth of grace and forgiveness we have received overflows into extravagant love and gratitude and changes how we see others.
Luke 7:36-50
Grace for the Outcasts
Luke 15 is an invitation of grace for the outcasts and a warning for the insiders. It’s not about morality (just do the right thing), and it’s more than God’s pursuit of us (but not less), it’s a warning meant to inspire us towards repentance, joy, and embracing a grace for the outcasts.
Luke 15
Scandalous Grace
The Friend of Sinners is a scandal to the self-righteous, but the only hope for those who know their shame and seek forgiveness.
Luke 7:36-50
Faith, Prayer, and Forgiveness
The fruit of true worship in the New Covenant that God desires is faith, prayer, and forgiveness.
Mark 11:20-25
The Joy of Confession and Forgiveness
Concealing our sin brings only death, suffering, and pain, but confessing our sin brings life, forgiveness, healing, and true joy.
The Son of Man and Sinners
Jesus did not come to shun those who were separate from God, but rather to seek them out so that they might return to God.
Mark 2:13-17
The Son of Man and Sin
Jesus has the authority not only to heal physical illness but also to forgive and heal sin, restoring people to God’s favor.
Mark 2:1-12
Rest and Peace – The Heart of the Reformation
Understanding that we are saved by grace, justified by faith, forgiven through Christ, according to God’s word, to the glory of God is the key to the Christian faith and to entering God’s rest.
Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)
The Beautiful Community – Forgiveness
To express the love of the Trinity, the Church must be a beautiful community where the forgiveness offered in the Gospel is celebrated, received, and given.
Ephesians 4:29–5:2
The Younger Son’s Story
The younger son in the parable mistakenly thought that his identity and joy would be found through self-discovery and self-indulgence apart from the father’s presence and will.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The Father’s Heart
The father in the parable displays the merciful and gracious heart of God towards those who are lost.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Dress for Success
Christians are called to walk according to their new nature, which requires being clothed in the virtues of Christ.
Colossians 3:12-17
The Joy of Confession and Forgiveness
Psalm 32 proclaims the joy of total forgiveness by God that awaits those who confess their sins and turn to Christ in faith.
Psalm 32
Biblical Confession and Repentance
Psalm 51 offers a comprehensive description of the traits and fruits of biblical confession and repentance for sin.
Psalm 51
A Word of Judgment, A Word of Forgiveness
God sends David a word of judgment and forgiveness, detailing the consequences for his sin, but also assuring Him of God’s love and covenant mercy that will prevail in the end.
2 Samuel 12:1-25
Jubilee
Jubilee was a year of freedom of sins forgiven, slaves set free, and restoration of inheritance, and it finds its fulfillment in Jesus.
Leviticus 25:8-12
Wrath
Wrath is a disordered love that desires justice to be enacted in my time, manner, and degree rather than in God’s.
James 1:19-20
The Importance of Forgiving One Another
Christians are called to be kind, forgiving one another in the same way God has forgiven us.
Ephesians 4:32
Bless the Lord, O My Soul
When we remind ourselves of God’s covenant love and forgiveness, it prompts us to a life of worship and loving obedience to our gracious Father.
Psalm 103
Authentic Atonement
When we sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus the Righteous One, who has provided authentic atonement for us – bearing the wrath of God and purifying us from sin, allowing us to freely come before the Father.
1 John 2: 1-2
The Authentic Response To Sin
If we deny our sin, we are deceived, but if we confess our sin, we are forgiven and cleansed.
1 John 1:5 – 2:2
Right and Wrong Responses To Sin
If we deny our sin, we are deceived, but if we confess our sin, we are forgiven and cleansed.
1 John 1:5-2:2
Grace Based Initiative
As we have been blessed with God’s grace through Jesus Christ, the gift of the Holy Spirit allows us to respond with grace to others in our relationships. God’s command to us for others is clear: Love others as He loves us.
1 John 4:7-11; 19-21
Slipping Over The Line
Relationships are ruptured when we sin against one another, but as those forgiven all of our sins through Christ, we must forgive one another so that the relationship can be restored.
Colossians 3:13
Slip of the Tongue
Relationships can be strengthened or damaged by words – which are the overflow of the heart – and repairing them requires confession and repentance in word and deed.
Proverbs 12:18