More Than Forgiveness Series

I found out this by raising my own children. My oldest daughter Haley is very stubborn and willful, and it started from the moment she could walk. In the apartment we were living in, there were 4 carpeted steps to the front door. There was no way to gate the area, and she kept wanting to stand right next to them and try to walk/crawl down them. We kept telling her- don’t go by the steps or you will fall, but as soon as we picked her up and moved her away from the stairs, right back she went until one time she fell and faceplanted and slid headfirst down the stairs.

She wasn’t hurt, but she learned not to go by the stairs anymore.

God allows us to experience sin sometimes.

I want to be very clear- it’s not His will for us to sin- that’ never the case. But God will use it to reveal the source of stubbornness within us and heal the weakness that led to sin.

If I choose greed, Jesus wants to reveal my insecurity, and heal the weakness that led to sin.

If I choose lust, Jesus wants to reveal my desire, and heal the weakness that led to sin.

If I choose judgment, Jesus wants to reveal my pride, and heal the weakness that led to sin.

Do you get the idea-God wants to heal the weaknesses that lead to sin?

That’s grace in action.

That shows us that what God asks of us, he empowers within us.

Jesus says, “Go, and sin no more.” He also makes this command possible. He takes us to the source and gives us hope.

This is a kind of resurrection, a resurrection from a life of sin. Resurrection isn’t just for Jesus; it’s for us. It’s not just for the end of days; it’s so we can walk in newness of life.

Application-

Finally, our application of these verses can be very personal: we can pray, listen, and learn.

You can call it your homework for the week

Let me explain:

In our daily prayers, we should include prayers like this: “Spirit of God, please open my eyes and heart to recognize your grace-works in my life.”

We can be confident that God will answer prayers like this one. After our time of prayer, it is our opportunity to learn.

Make a few notes of what came to your mind. What did you discover about God as you prayed and listened? What did you discover about yourself?

I’m going to challenge you to do this, and guarantee you this- God will lead you toward a larger understanding of grace.

This exercise is not about merely gaining biblical knowledge (as important as that may be).

It’s about opening our eyes, ears, and lives to the deeper grace God has in store.

God’s grace wants to teach us a new way to live!

It’s not going to be perfect. Like toddlers, it will take us time to get our legs under us and learn to walk before we run. We will still stumble and fall along the way, but there is always grace for forgiveness and growth as we keep our eyes and trust on our Savior Jesus.

We are going to end with a song today and then I’ll pray for dismissal, but if anyone wants prayer after the service please stick around and we will be available.