In our last week in Forgiving Challenge, pastor Eli talks about SANCTIFICATION. This is a now and not yet word that is all about being freed from sin. Through faith we are free from the penalty for sin but we are also in the process of being made better, day by day. Jesus isn't content to leave us where we are! He is shaping us to be like him!
RESTORATION
March 26, 2023 • Eli Thomas
Knowing someone loves us is nice, isn't it? But having them TELL us that they love us is much better! Forgiveness works the same way- the Bible tells us that when we confess we are forgiven but most of us our skeptical by nature- we need to hear it. Absolution is the spoken assurance that God hears your confession and forgives your sins. We may believe what the Bible says but there is undeniable power for freedom in Absolution!
ABSOLUTION
March 19, 2023 • John 21:15–17
Knowing someone loves us is nice, isn't it? But having them TELL us that they love us is much better! Forgiveness works the same way- the Bible tells us that when we confess we are forgiven but most of us our skeptical by nature- we need to hear it. Absolution is the spoken assurance that God hears your confession and forgives your sins. We may believe what the Bible says but there is undeniable power for freedom in Absolution!
CONFESSION
March 12, 2023
No one likes to examine their failures. It is tempting to just decide that God knows our sin and to move straight on to the assurance of forgiveness. BUT- the Bible tells us to CONFESS our sins- not to make us relive them but to make us aware of the ways in which we have strayed to help us stay the course in the future.
SIN
March 5, 2023 • Matthew 16:13–19, Luke 22:54–61
Sin gets in the way of our relationship with God. Even when you call yourself a Christian, sin can be a barrier to actually walking in the freedom that Christ has for you on the cross. This week in Forgiving Challenge, pastor Eli talks about the need to confront our sins because when we sit on them we will never experience the fullness of God's forgiveness for us.
S.C.A.R.S.
February 26, 2023 • John 20:24–31, Luke 4:18
Scars tell stories. After his resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples and showed them his scars as proof of who he is and what he had done. His scars give a powerful testimony to the depth of God's love. That he would take our sins to the grave in our place is proof of his grace. He invites us to freedom- all we have to do is embrace forgiveness.
