Forgive
Ephesians 5
Ephesians 4:32-5:2 says, And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. People hurt people. It's likely that in the past you've been wounded by a thoughtless remark, an uncaring attitude, or an action motivated by selfish ambition. Or perhaps you've been scarred by something more significant. Perhaps your spouse cheated or just left. Perhaps your best friend betrayed your confidence. Perhaps you were abused or mistreated. Forgiving those who have wounded us deeply is difficult and necessary. Matthew 6:14-15 says, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
A forgiving attitude begins with a little perspective. Look what the Bible says about Jesus:
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
. (Isaiah 53:3-6)
He suffered the most unimaginable pain: His wounds were not figurative. He was insulted, mocked, beaten to the bone, stripped, and crucified. The Son of God was handled with such recklessness. He was a King tortured like criminal, a Savior treated like a slave. And yet He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
The person who has hurt you doesn't deserve to be forgiven. But then again, none of us deserve to be forgiven. But Jesus forgave completely. We are commanded to imitate God. We must forgive completely.
Used by permission from NewSpring Church
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Upcoming Events
Ladies' Small Group - The ladies meet on Sunday Nights at 6 PM and are going through the book Made To Crave by Lisa TerKeurst. If you have any questions please contact Stephanie Robinson at (724) 678-9520. The ladies will be meeting on July 22 at Brianne Sieg's house and they will cover chapter 13, 14, and 15.
Men's Small Group - The men meet on Monday Nights at 7 PM and are going through the book The Resolution for Men by Stephen Kendrick. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Robinson at (724) 255-1695. Our next meeting will be on July 23rd at a place to be determined and will cover chapters 8 and 9.
July 24 - Trustee Meeting at 7 PM
July 25 - Quarterly Business Meeting at 7:30 PM
July 29 - Lord's Supper & Deacon's Fund Offering following AM Worship Service
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Special Opportunity
We have been approached by an individual who wants to help our church to be proactive in being prepared for the future. Recently there was a chance to purchase the house behind the church, but we were not in any position to purchase it. They have since taken it off the market, but will most likely be putting it back on the market in a year or so. This anonymous person has offered to match up to $5000 each month (from May through December) that would be given to the parsonage fund over and above your regular offerings. This is a great opportunity to get prepared to purchase some needed property for parking since our church is landlocked. Please consider donating some money towards this fund so we can be better prepared for this possible opportunity. We have raised $5,300! Praise the Lord!!
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