Something Good To Talk About Part 2 Series

Something Good to Talk About Part 2

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, (and also some women)” Luke 8:1-2a

Intro: We’re continuing the sermon titled “Something Good to Talk About Part 2.”

Remember: When the worst things are happening in your world.

The best thing you can think of is Jesus.

And:

What changes us is this knowing that we are children of God.

Claiming the identity that our Baptism represents as children of God.

Let’s look at As a child of God there is forgiveness.

This is one of the greatest benefit of knowing Christ.

There is not only forgiveness for my sins, failures, weakness and mistakes.

But because I am a Christian I learn to forgive others their trespasses against me.

There is one bit of news that is same about all us.

Not only do we fail ourselves.

We will all fail God and fail others.

Have you ever met someone who thinks they are perfect?

I am sure no one here thinks they are always right.

But somewhere out there are people who believe that they are never wrong.

Their perspective is always correct.

They see thing black or white.

There is no such thing as gray or different points of view.

In every situation in life there will always be someone who believe they are always right.

It is either their way or the highway.

If you are sitting next to someone like that just go ahead and turned around and looked them and smile.

They probably think they are perfect.

The hardest person to forgive is yourself.

When someone who thinks they are perfect realizes they have made a mistake they have the hardest time forgiving theirself.

Because they first have to admit they made mistake.

And they can’t admit they were ever wrong.

They want admit it to someone else.

They want admit to theirself.

A perfect person pays for their perfection in private.

They hold it in.

They develop bleeding ulcers.

They have high blood pressure.

They buy more things than they need.

They reward their perfection by overcompensating

They can’t be content with what they have.

There is nothing more harmful to your health or relationships

than believing you are perfect and not being able to admit you are often wrong just like everyone else.

Then there is the inability to acknowledge you have failed God.

You can be really good person and still be in this category.

Remember the twelve disciples were following Jesus from one town and village to another.

In Mark 10:37 “They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

The disciples like most people did not understand following Jesus was really about.

They thought the world centered around them.

They even had ideas that the after would center around them.

They somehow they would be good enough in this life to earn the honor of sitting on a throne beside Jesus.

There were only two people who were ever raised to the same level as Jesus on this earth.

But they weren’t raise on a throne.

One was on the right and the other on the left.

There were two people crucified right along side Jesus on the cross.

One of those two was able to admit that he was a theif.

He was a liar.

He was getting what he deserved.

He repented and accepted his mistake and asked forgiveness of his sin.

And he received the promise of eternal life.

“Jesus said, this day you will be with me in paradise.”

The other was not able to admit his wrong.

He could not admit his mistakes.

He would not acknowledge that he wasn’t perfect.

He would not acknowledge that Jesus was right.

Even in his dying moments,

With his last dying breath he utter prove me wrong.

You saved others, save yourself.

Do you hear the anger and bitterness as this sinner deflect the attention away from his own failures and sin

And tries to make Jesus look like the bad guy.

But somewhere in the lonely darkness of night and private personal despair the mind is broken

Because you can’t forgive yourself for something you want admit you are wrong.

And you can’t find forgiveness for yourself and you can’t forgive others.

You are literally between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

I’ve got Something Good to Talk to you About

As a child of God there is forgiveness.

You can find release.

God will forgive you no matter what you have done.

He will even forgive you for thinking you are perfect.

God will walk with you through the fire.

God is faithful when we are not faithful.