Elements City Church
Counter Culture: Forgiveness Over Bitterness
Last week we looked at how Jesus challenges his followers (Matthew 18) to deal with the strife and conflicts that will naturally occur in relationships. Tonight we turn toward the hurts that will come within our relationships and how Jesus challenges us to approach them with an attitude of forgiveness. We can’t be followers of Jesus if we’re not following in His footsteps of forgiveness; and yes, that is very stretching while living in a land that likes to keep score. Forgiven people, forgive people. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of forgiveness.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Welcome to Elements...
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https://share.fluro.io/form/6329f633da0feb00250cbd5fLast week - we saw how Jesus calls us to deal with strife that occurs in any and every relationship — we’re called to seek out healthy confrontation versus unhealthy cancellation. We want to aim at resolution and reconciliation within our relationships, especially with other believers in Christ…
...as Matthew 18 continues, Matthew records this interaction between Peter and Jesus… a conversation that ensued with those early disciples around being offended, and centered on how we are to live out forgiveness in our relationships.
Forgiveness isn't easy. But it is a MUST for followers of Jesus.
...as Matthew 18 continues, Matthew records this interaction between Peter and Jesus… a conversation that ensued with those early disciples around being offended, and centered on how we are to live out forgiveness in our relationships.
Forgiveness isn't easy. But it is a MUST for followers of Jesus.
Forgiveness matters to Jesus. It's modeled by Jesus.
Jesus is going to drive home the point: there are 2 paths - the path of keeping score; the path of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the path we are to choose, it’s the habit we are to practice and allow Him to form within us.
Jesus is going to drive home the point: there are 2 paths - the path of keeping score; the path of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the path we are to choose, it’s the habit we are to practice and allow Him to form within us.
This notion of: forgiving others – is not a decision we’re to perform just when we feel like it, it’s a habit/practice that Jesus desires to form within our hearts.
It actually begins with a PRE-DECISION — we’re choosing the best we can, to live un-offendable — because I remember that my offenses have been cancelled by the cross…because I am His follower and I am now a forgiven person.
It actually begins with a PRE-DECISION — we’re choosing the best we can, to live un-offendable — because I remember that my offenses have been cancelled by the cross…because I am His follower and I am now a forgiven person.
WE CANNOT BE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS IF WE’RE NOT FOLLOWING
IN HIS FOOTSTEPS OF FORGIVENESS.
IN HIS FOOTSTEPS OF FORGIVENESS.
Jesus is teaching: forgiveness IS NOT ABOUT MATH, it’s about MERCY!
It’s like Jesus understands that revenge & holding onto grudges and bitterness - keeping score: is the natural law of the land, law of the human heart left to itself – the path that human heart wants to instinctually travel down. Now Jesus is saying to Peter – you can follow that path of keeping score if you want, but I’ve got a different path that I want you to choose…
** it’s like Jesus is saying to Peter (and us): “If you want to follow me, Peter, you have to put down the stones of revenge and the scorecard of bitterness. Learn to travel light.
It’s like Jesus understands that revenge & holding onto grudges and bitterness - keeping score: is the natural law of the land, law of the human heart left to itself – the path that human heart wants to instinctually travel down. Now Jesus is saying to Peter – you can follow that path of keeping score if you want, but I’ve got a different path that I want you to choose…
** it’s like Jesus is saying to Peter (and us): “If you want to follow me, Peter, you have to put down the stones of revenge and the scorecard of bitterness. Learn to travel light.
God’s mercy has been given, and meant to be passed along…
Forgiveness is to BECOME a more natural reaction within a follower of Jesus.
-Remember: The Church is to be RESTORATION STATION
(and that will take choosing: forgiveness OVER bitterness)
-Remember: The Church is to be RESTORATION STATION
(and that will take choosing: forgiveness OVER bitterness)
Quote:
Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Forgiveness is an attribute of the STRONG, not the weak.
We MUST embrace mercy and forgive others as we have been forgiven.
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Forgiveness is an attribute of the STRONG, not the weak.
We MUST embrace mercy and forgive others as we have been forgiven.
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of forgiveness.
Thank you for your financial partnership!
Thank you for giving your tithes and offerings to Elements City Church. They enable us to be the church, and they help us to fuel the mission and vision. Our capacity to function on a daily basis is a direct result of your support, and we are so grateful for it! You can give online at the link below, or through the Elements City Church app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/giveCatch the Nerd Out on Mondays...
If you desire to go deeper into tonight's message, we have a YouTube show designed for just that! Gain additional insight on the message, hear what might've been cut from the message, and think through questions that help you apply each Sunday sermon throughout the week. New episodes are posted every Monday afternoon to our YouTube channel at the link below. Digital discipleship delivered to you. Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGrZqZC4G6lcZCKrkZGIBGxgfTd3YmkSCAren't you glad you got to church tonight?!
We gather together to be equipped and to encourage one another as we prepare to step into a new week carrying the hope and the light of Jesus within us!
Join us next Sunday as we continue our Counter Culture series together...
Get info on all of the upcoming events in the Elements City church app:
-New here recently? Join us for the next Party with the Pastors coming later this summer...
- Registration for the Marriage Retreat is now open; $50 saves your spot as a couple. Sign up in May to guarantee your spot for Retreat August 9-11.
We gather together to be equipped and to encourage one another as we prepare to step into a new week carrying the hope and the light of Jesus within us!
Join us next Sunday as we continue our Counter Culture series together...
Get info on all of the upcoming events in the Elements City church app:
-New here recently? Join us for the next Party with the Pastors coming later this summer...
- Registration for the Marriage Retreat is now open; $50 saves your spot as a couple. Sign up in May to guarantee your spot for Retreat August 9-11.