Forgiveness Is Like...

"Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:5

Forgiveness is like the eraser on the pencil.

Forgiveness is like a mulligan on the first tee.

Forgiveness is the cop letting you off with just a warning.

Forgiveness is a do-over when you have made a major blunder.

Forgiveness lifts the elephant off your chest.

In his great book, "What's So Amazing About Grace", Phillip Yancey tells the story of a prodigal daughter who grows up in Traverse City, Michigan. Disgusted with her old fashioned parents who overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, the length of her skirts, she runs away. She ends up in Detroit where she meets a man who drives the biggest car she’s ever seen. The man with the big car – she calls him “Boss” – recognizes that since she’s underage, men would pay premium for her. So she goes to work for him. Things are good for a while. Life is good. But she gets sick for a few days, and it amazes her how quickly the boss turns mean. Before she knows it, she’s out on the street without a penny to her name. She still turns a couple of tricks a night, and all the money goes to support her drug habit.

One night while sleeping on the metal grates of the city, she began to feel less like a woman of the world and more like a little girl. She begins to whimper. “God, why did I leave. My dog back home eats better than I do now.” She knows that more than anything in the world, she wants to go home. Three straight calls home get three straight connections with the answering machine. Finally she leaves a message. “Mom, dad, its me. I was wondering about maybe coming home. I’m catching a bus up your way, and it’ll get there about midnight tomorrow. If you’re not there, I‘ll understand.” During the seven hour bus ride, she’s preparing a speech for her father. And when the bus comes to a stop in the Traverse City station, the driver announces the fifteen-minute stop. Fifteen minutes to decide her life.

She walks into the terminal not knowing what to expect. But not one of the thousand scenes that have played out in her mind prepares her for what she sees. There in the bus terminal in Traverse City, Michigan, stands a group of forty brothers and sisters and great-aunts and uncles and cousins and a grandmother and a great-grandmother to boot. They’re all wearing goofy party hats and blowing noise-makers, and taped across the entire wall of the terminal is a computer-generated banner that reads – Welcome Home!

Out of the crowd of well-wishers breaks her dad. She stares out through the tears quivering in her eyes and begins her memorized speech. He interrupts her. “Hush, child. We’ve got no time for that. No time for apologies. We’ll be late. A big party is waiting for you at home!

That's forgiveness - God-style! He takes your penalty and gives you His peace and throws you a party!

March 29, 2016

David, the Psalmist King knew! The one indispensable thing for him was God's presence! He could not - or more accurately - would allow himself to be denied the presence of God.

To "seek God's face" means to come into His presence. The great John Piper frames it this way:

"This happens through “seeking.” Continual seeking. But what does that mean practically? Both the Old and New Testaments say it is a “setting of the mind and heart” on God. It is the conscious fixing or focusing of our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection on God.

“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.” (1 Chronicles 22:19)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1–2)

This setting of the mind is the opposite of mental coasting. It is a conscious choice to direct the heart toward God. This is what Paul prays for the church:

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

It is a conscious effort on our part. But that effort to seek God is a gift from God.

We do not make this mental and emotional effort to seek God because he is lost. That’s why we would seek a coin or a sheep. But God is not lost. Nevertheless, there is always something through which or around which we must go to meet him consciously. This going through or around is what seeking is. He is often hidden. Veiled. We must go through mediators and around obstacles."

Herein is the merging of discipline and desire. The desire to seek God motivates the discipline to schedule time and screen distractions and study the Word until you hear from God and experience His presence.

Understand that there is a sense in which you are never out of the presence of God in terms of His protection and care. But communing with Him and connecting with Him in that intimate spiritual fellowship that your soul craves requires you full focus.

If you have not sought the face of God for awhile, why is that? Is it because of a lack of desire? Has your heart grown cold? Has sin crept into your life? Have you fallen in love with the world?

Or have you become distracted or diverted or discouraged due to the commotion around you? Has your lack of discipline allow the world to smother your schedule and clutter your mind?

Seek His face today!

March 28, 2016

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"  John 11:25-26

This is quite a claim made by Jesus! Very confident and quite comforting!

If you will live and believe in Jesus, and if you allow Him to live in you by faith, you will never die!

However, there ARE several things that WILL die when you die and I feel compelled to point those out.

When you die, suffering dies. The moment you slip away from your earthly body and into eternity with Jesus - your suffering is over! Forever!

When you die, sorrow dies. At your last breath in this life, you are done with sorrow! Once your spirit enters into the presence of God there will be only joy! Sadness has no place in Heaven! You will shed no more tears. You will know no more heartbreak!

When you die, sin dies. If you die in Christ and enter into His paradise you will enter a safe, secure, sin-free environment. Not only will you be free from sin but you will not have to deal with temptation either!

So, you see, death is final - final for the things that are not worthy of God or right for eternity!

As we bring the Easter Holiday to a close I just wanted to remind you of a few reasons why it is the pivotal event in all of human history! You will never die, but all the things that make your life difficult or painful will die!

He's alive! You will live! Your heart-ache and hardships won't! Your crises and crosses will become crowns!

EASTER SUNDAY 2016

"Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." John 20:1-20

They were overjoyed when they saw the Lord!

That phrase best capsulizes the emotion that Easter should bring to the human heart. Recognizing that Jesus is alive and that our sins are forgiven makes a world of difference in how we view ourselves, our God, other people and our purpose for living!

Everyone of these Christ-followers were filled with joy when they saw Jesus but there is one who was especially thrilled and I think this video clip captures that! 

Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFDknSGVmXw

BECAUSE HE LIVES PETER’S FAILURES ARE FORGIVEN!

Peter, a lot like you and me, was his own worst enemy. This was the disicple who had only one speed - full! He had some of the highest highs and a few of the deepest lows.

Peter had been with Jesus and a select few on the Mount of Transfiguration. He had seen the glorified Jesus along with Moses and Elijah! Peter had been there when the 5,000 were fed and then the 4,000. He had been there when Lazarus walked out to the grave! For Pete's sake - he had walked on water!

But he had also vowed that He would never forsake Jesus and in the Garden he impulsively grabbed his sword and tried to decapitate the Roman guard. And on that fateful night after Jesus was arrested he denied three times and even cursed for emphasis.

It was that final failure that almost did him in - until he saw the Risen Jesus! 

Then he was filled with joy knowing that Jesus was alive and his failures were forgiven!

Do you have some failures that haunt you?

Have you betrayed Jesus with your decisions and choices?

Could you use a few “do-overs”? Does some forgiveness sound good?

Well, the good news is, as Peter discovered, JESUS IS ALIVE and your sins can be forgiven!

BECAUSE HE LIVES PETER’S FAITH IS FIRM!

Peter had fully invested all of his hopes and dreams in Jesus.

Peter had fully bought into all of Jesus’ teachings and accepted Him as the Messiah.

Peter had seen all the miracles and he even done a few himself.

But then everything was up for grabs when Jesus was arrested and killed.

But the good news is JESUS IS ALIVE and everything is TRUE!

BECAUSE HE LIVES PETER’S FUTURE WAS FOREVER!

For the last few days Peter lived in fear. They had killed his leader and he fully expected them to be coming after him.

He had left his business and his family and invested his entire future in Jesus – then Jesus was DEAD!

In just a few days his future had gone from safe, secure and certain – to fearful and murky.

But the good news is JESUS IS ALIVE and his future is FOREVER!

That is the great news of Easter - WE SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR!

When He died on the cross He conquered sin. He pain the price for your sins and mine! And When He raised form the dead He conquered death! We no longer have to live in sin or fear death!

We can live in joy! We can live in freedom! We can live in power! We never have to be alone! And we know we will live forever!

BECAUSE HE LIVES!

March 26, 2016

"Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.  Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads  and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”  Matthew 27:38-41

Easter celebrates the greatest event in history the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

I wonder why we don't get more excited about our Savior arising from the dead to give us victory over sin and death?

Not to be morbid but think about the person whose death causes you the most sorrow and grief. Now think about having that person back alive with you to never die again. I'm guessing you would celebrate that!

But when Easter rolls around you get more excited about bunnies and baskets and bonnets and brunches than you do about a Savior who came back from three days in the grave to conquer sin and death forever. Why is that?

Perhaps we lose sight of the significance of this supernatural event. I fear I am guilty of it as well. As I was searching the Bible this week God led me to this rather unusual portion of Scripture and shared a few insights with me. I want to take a few minutes to share it with you and hope it will bless you as it blessed me.

First, realize the essence of the lie - "save yourself"

The mocker's taunts give several insights into reasons you might be less excited about the Resurrection. 

If you believe it is possible to save yourself you would not be excited about the Resurrection. Why should you if don't believe you need a Savior?

The belief that you can save yourself and don't really need a savior is the essence of sin. Lucifer said to himself, "I can be like God." Later, he tempted Eve, "You will be like God." Believing that would not excite you about the Resurrection.

If you believe you should save yourself from sin or  suffering you would not be excited about the Resurrection.

By the way, in this story Jesus shows you how to respond to mockers. Jesus remained silent and stayed on the cross. He didn't try to retaliate nor did He attempt to defend Himself. In three days He would make a mockery of their mockery when He arose from death and proved them wrong.

Second, realize the essence of love in this story is seen in the fact that Jesus did not come off the cross but hung there to die for the very sinners who were mocking Him. He gave Himself He didn't save Himself.

What a vivid illustration of loving people to life! 

Here at FredWes we are called not to save ourselves but to give ourselves to those He wants to save! We will sacrifice for them and if necessary suffer for them.

Love stays on the cross. 

Love is more focused on saving others than saving themselves.

People who know what it is to love love the Resurrection!

Third, the essence of life is seen in this story - dying on the cross. Jesus gave Himself to save others. He had to die so they could live. But He also had to die in order that He could live the Resurrection life, the everlasting life.

The Resurrection meant a LOT to Jesus! It was a BIG deal because He died!


It will mean a lot to you unless you believe you can somehow save yourself. If saving yourself from needless suffering or sacrifice is your motivation the Resurrection holds little interest to you.

But if you are willing to take up your cross like Jesus and suffer.

If you are more concerned about saving others than saving yourself.

And if you are willing to die to your self-interest, self-centeredness and selfishness then you can experience the resurrection life. You can't truly know life until you die to self and arise to life in Christ!

March 25, 2016

"When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.  Above his head they placed the written charge against him:    this is jesus, the king of the jews.  Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.   Those who passed by hurled insults at him,  shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”  Matthew 27:35-40

Few places in the Scriptures will you find more irony than in this encounter between the Master and the mockers. It is a sharp contrast between His holy nature and their haughty hatred toward Him.

When you take note of their accusations and slander you are exposed to the nature of evil at its core. 

First, 

the very fact that they are slandering the sinless Son of God gives evidence of a corrupted heart. Why would you do that otherwise?

Let's look at their verbal assaults directed His way.

"You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days" 

- in saying this they are implying that Jesus is either a liar or a lunatic for suggesting such a thing. Also, they are effectively calling Him a failure at the most vulnerable times of His life. For what purpose? To what end?

For the record, Jesus was referring to His Body not a building. 

And He did indeed rebuild it when He walked out of the tomb on Easter Sunday!

"if you are the Son of God!” 

- again, here are these evil men casting doubt on the claims of Christ. If you will remember, this phrase strangely similar to other attacks by Satan the Accuser at various times in Scripture. While the devil is extremely evil he is also entirely unoriginal.

God is under no obligation to prove Himself to Satan or anyone else! 

If the grandeur of creation and the countless miracles He has wrought from the beginning up to the moment of these mockeries haven't proved the true nature of Christ nothing He would do then could convince them!

"save yourself! Come down from the cross" 

- this shows either incredible evil on their part or even more incredible ignorance. Jesus didn't go to the cross to save Himself He went to the cross to save them! In trying to coax Him off the cross they were unwittingly attempting to seal their own fate.

Here again is the ugly, futile and arrogant nature of sin. The very notion that you can "save your self is the essence of sin! It is the lie that brought down Lucifer and Adam.

In conclusion I call your attention once more to the irony that they very thing they were doing was the very reason Jesus was on the cross dying!

What a blessing for them He ignored their taunts and remained on the cross!

What a blessing for you and me as well!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

March 24, 2016

"When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.  Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” Matthew 27:35-40

Have you ever been mocked or ridiculed?

How did that feel?

Were you ridiculed in the process of dying to save the world from sin?

Me neither.

But Jesus was. We see it in this portion of the Scriptural account of the crucifixion of Jesus. It is worth noting because of what Jesus did while He was doing something historical. The same people who had cruelly beaten Him and then nailed Him to a cross piled on verbal abuse as He hung there suffering. They were attempting to heap shame upon His shameful treatment and the shameful method of execution and the shame of His nakedness.

In a day and age when Christianity and Christians are being mocked and reviled with increasing regularity and intensity, it is good to note how Jesus responded to their mockery.

He took it!

He stayed on the cross!

While they were giving Him grief He was giving them grace!

That's the proper response to mockery and insults.

But how do I do that, Brad?

Only by His strength!

The same grace and strength that Jesus manifested while being verbally abused on the cross is the very same strength and grace He can instill in you by His Spirit!

And by the way, three days later when He walked out of the grave having conquered sin and death He made a mockery of their mockery!

While that wasn't His purpose it is the power of grace and truth!

As you pray this morning will you ask God to give you the grace to bless those who curse you and pray for those who despite fully use you?

Will you promise Him that in His strength you will give grace to those who give you grief?