Sermons on Forgiveness
Jesus calls us to follow Him. This entails living and loving like Jesus.
God calls Jonah to the mission field, to reach the wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah runs away from God and from his call. This sharply contrasts or expectations of a prophet of God, and it also sharply contrasts the pagan sailors who run to God as Jonah runs away.
Jesus is the one and only hope for the brokenness of sin. In John 8:1-11 we read of the woman who was caught in the act of adultery, and we see how Jesus responds to this woman in the midst of her brokenness, shame, and need. Jesus, the only perfect and holy one without sin, capable of throwing the first stone, instead offers forgiveness, love, grace, and a changed life. He offers us that same hope today.
In chapter 3 of Paul’s letter to the new church in Colosse, he urges these new believers to leave their former life behind, and to live a new life in Christ. For Jesus is not merely interested in changing our theology, but radically changes us completely, from the inside out. We are now, therefore, to live new lives that reflect his image!
Pastor Josh leads us through an exegetical study of Paul’s letter to Philemon. Paul exhorts Philemon on the basis of love to welcome, to forgive, and to love Onesimus as a brother in Christ, even though he has wronged him. Today, like Philemon, we are called to live lives of love and forgiveness, as we realize that we have been so loved and forgiven by Christ.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
– John 13:34-35