Embracing God's Compassion: A Call to Forgiveness

This past year at Rock Lane has been a testament to God’s faithfulness and the generosity of His people. We’ve seen significant progress in paying down our building debt, with one loan completely paid off and less than a million dollars remaining on the other. This has been accomplished without sacrificing ministry, allowing us to continue growing and serving both locally and globally. Our budget philosophy remains rooted in letting ministry needs drive financial decisions, trusting God to provide as we step out in faith. The upcoming year’s budget reflects careful stewardship, with only a modest increase, and continues to support our expanding ministries, staff, and outreach efforts.

Staff transitions have strengthened our ability to minister to the next generation, with new hires and expanded roles ensuring that children, students, and those with special needs are cared for and discipled. Our outreach, both global and local, has flourished: mission trips, financial support for partners, and intentional education about our overseas ministries have deepened our church’s engagement with God’s work around the world. Locally, we’ve served families, schools, and vulnerable populations, embodying Christ’s compassion in tangible ways.

Our elders continue to shepherd the church with humility and dedication, and the process for new elder candidates reflects the seriousness with which we approach spiritual leadership. Fellowship opportunities, new ministries, and a growing church family—evidenced by new members and baptisms—are all signs of God’s blessing.

Reflecting on the story of Jonah, we are reminded that embracing God’s presence means adopting His perspective on every person, especially those we find hardest to love. God’s compassion is not just for our benefit but is meant to inspire us to extend that same compassion to others, even our enemies. Contempt and unforgiveness are burdens that harm us more than anyone else, but God calls us to let go, to forgive, and to see others through His eyes. Jesus’ own example—suffering for us, forgiving those who wronged Him—shows us the way. As we move into a new year, may we be a conduit of God’s presence, letting His love and compassion flow through us to the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Every Human Soul Is Sacred In a world that often elevates things, traditions, or even animals to sacred status, God’s Word reminds us that nothing is more precious than a human soul. Each person, regardless of their past, beliefs, or condition, is made in God’s image and is the object of His sacrificial love. Embracing God’s presence means allowing Him to correct our perspective, especially toward those we find difficult to love, seeing them as He does—infinitely valuable and worthy of compassion. [51:12]
• 2. Contempt Is a Poison to the Soul While righteous anger has its place, contempt—seeing others as worthless or irredeemable—has no place in the heart of a Christ-follower. Holding onto contempt, grudges, or unforgiveness is a heavy burden that corrodes us from within, often doing more harm to ourselves than to those we resent. True relief and peace come when we entrust justice to God and choose forgiveness, releasing the root of bitterness that can otherwise take hold. [55:30]
• 3. God’s Compassion Is Meant to Flow Through Us God’s mercy and blessings are not given solely for our own benefit, but to equip us to be generous and compassionate toward others. When we experience God’s forgiveness and provision, we are called to become conduits of His grace, letting His love overflow from us to those around us. This is the heart of Christian living: to be so united with God that His presence touches the world through our actions, especially in forgiveness and generosity. [59:26]
• 4. Compassion for the Lost, Not Just the Deserving God’s heart is moved by the lostness of people, even those whose actions are wicked or hurtful. Jesus modeled this on the cross, praying for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him because “they know not what they do.” We are called to move beyond mere pity to active compassion—entering into the suffering of others, seeking their good, and praying for their restoration, even when it seems undeserved. [61:16]
• 5. Forgiveness Is Empowered by God’s Presence Forgiving those who have deeply hurt us can feel impossible, but God does not ask us to do this alone. As we embrace His presence, the Holy Spirit convicts and empowers us to forgive, sometimes repeatedly as we struggle to let go. Communion with Christ—remembering His compassion and sacrifice—becomes both the inspiration and the means by which we extend true forgiveness and compassion to others, even when our hearts resist. [77:48]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:25] - Financial Update and Debt Progress
• [13:06] - How to Support Debt Payoff
• [15:50] - Budget Philosophy and Voting
• [17:26] - Staff Updates and New Roles
• [19:08] - Global Outreach Highlights
• [22:26] - Local Ministry and Love Rock Lane
• [24:18] - Elders and Leadership Process
• [25:41] - Remembering Shirley Kirkham
• [43:10] - Lord of the Rings and Jonah Introduction
• [51:12] - Embracing God’s Perspective on Others
• [55:30] - The Destructive Power of Contempt
• [56:44] - God’s Compassion as Our Inspiration
• [59:26] - Becoming a Conduit of God’s Presence
• [61:16] - Compassion for the Lost
• [64:12] - The Mind of Christ and Humility
• [77:48] - Forgiveness and Communion
• [79:50] - Announcements and Opportunities
• [82:48] - Closing and Farewell

Bible Reading

Jonah 4:1-11 — - Matthew 9:35-38
- Philippians 2:3-8

Observation Questions

1. In Jonah 4, what is Jonah’s main reason for being angry with God after Nineveh repents? ([49:33])
2. According to Jonah 4:10-11, what does God use as an object lesson to teach Jonah about compassion?
3. In Matthew 9:36, how does Jesus respond when He sees the crowds, and what reason is given for His response?
4. In Philippians 2:3-8, what attitude does Paul say we should have toward others, and how does he describe Jesus’ example?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jonah struggled so much with God showing mercy to the Ninevites, even after he himself had received God’s mercy? ([49:33])
2. The sermon says contempt is a poison to the soul and that holding onto it harms us more than anyone else. Why is it so hard to let go of contempt or unforgiveness, even when we know it’s hurting us? ([55:30])
3. The sermon points out that God’s compassion is meant to flow through us, not just to us. What does it look like for someone to be a “conduit” of God’s presence in their daily life? ([59:26])
4. Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, saying, “they know not what they do.” What does this teach us about how we should view people who have hurt us? ([01:01:16])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says every human soul is sacred, even those we find hardest to love. Is there someone in your life right now that you struggle to see as valuable or worthy of compassion? What would it look like to see them through God’s eyes this week? ([51:12])
2. Contempt and unforgiveness are described as heavy burdens. Is there a grudge or bitterness you’re carrying that you need to release? What is one step you could take toward forgiveness, even if it’s just praying for the desire to forgive? ([55:30])
3. The sermon challenges us to let God’s compassion flow through us. Can you think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to show compassion or generosity but held back? What could you do differently next time? ([59:26])
4. Jesus’ compassion moved Him to action, not just feelings. Is there someone in your life who is “lost” or hurting that you could reach out to this week? What specific action could you take to show them Christ’s love? ([01:01:16])
5. Forgiveness is described as something empowered by God’s presence, not just our willpower. When you find it hard to forgive, what helps you remember God’s forgiveness toward you? How can you invite the Holy Spirit into that struggle? ([01:17:48])
6. The sermon mentions that sometimes we have to forgive over and over as the hurt resurfaces. Is there a situation where you’ve had to do this? How can your group support you in that ongoing process? ([01:17:48])
7. The church has seen God’s faithfulness in finances and ministry growth. How can you personally be part of letting God’s blessings flow through you—whether it’s your time, resources, or compassion—this coming month? ([59:26])