Embracing Grace: Foundations of Faith and Forgiveness

As we begin a new school year, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety—whether you’re a student, a parent, or simply someone facing new beginnings. We gathered together to pray for our students, asking Jesus to walk with them through every challenge and change. This is a reminder that, just as we send our children off with backpacks and lunches, we all carry our own burdens and uncertainties into each new season. But we do not go alone; Christ goes with us.

Drawing inspiration from the legendary basketball coach John Wooden, who insisted his players master the basics—like putting on their socks correctly—we are reminded that the Christian life, too, is built on foundational truths. Sometimes, we want to jump ahead to the complicated parts, but it’s the basics that keep us grounded. Today, we focused on two simple but profound truths: “I get things wrong, and that’s okay.” This is not just a statement of humility, but an invitation to grace.

The Apostles’ Creed gives us language for these truths: “I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins.” The word “holy” can be hard to swallow, because we know the church is not always as set apart or pure as it should be. We make mistakes, both individually and collectively. Yet, holiness is not about our perfection, but about being set apart by God’s love and grace.

The word “catholic” in the creed doesn’t refer to a denomination, but to the universal, worldwide family of believers. We are not alone in our journey; we are part of a global community, learning from one another, supporting each other, and growing together. “Communion of saints” is more than just being in the same room or on the same team—it’s about a shared desire to walk together, even when it’s hard.

Finally, forgiveness is at the heart of our faith. Jesus tells a story about a man forgiven a massive debt, who then refuses to forgive a small debt owed to him. We are called to forgive, not because others have earned it, but because we ourselves have been forgiven so much. Forgiveness is not a reward for an apology; it’s a response to the grace we’ve received. As we go out this week, may we be people who extend that same grace to others, knowing that even when we get things wrong, Jesus makes us clean and binds us together in love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Holiness Is a Calling, Not an Achievement The church is called “holy,” not because we always act perfectly, but because God has set us apart for His purposes. Our failures and shortcomings do not disqualify us from this calling; rather, they remind us of our need for God’s grace. Holiness is less about flawless behavior and more about being open to God’s transforming love. [59:02]
• 2. The Universal Church Is Our Family The word “catholic” in the creed reminds us that we belong to a worldwide community of believers. Our backgrounds, traditions, and even our past hurts do not separate us from this family. We are united not by uniformity, but by our shared faith in Christ, and we have much to learn from one another. [63:25]
• 3. Communion Means Chosen Togetherness True communion is more than just being in the same place or sharing a label; it’s a chosen, mutual participation in each other’s lives. This kind of togetherness is often challenging, especially when personalities clash or differences arise. Yet, it is in this chosen communion that we experience the fullness of God’s family and the support we need to grow. [65:08]
• 4. Forgiveness Flows from Grace, Not Apology Forgiveness is not something we extend only when someone says “I’m sorry.” Jesus teaches that our forgiveness of others is a response to the immense forgiveness we have received from God. This means taking the first step, even when it’s hard, and allowing our hearts to be changed by grace rather than waiting for others to make the first move. [67:20]
• 5. Our Hope Is in Christ’s Work, Not Our Own Both as individuals and as a church, we fall short of the unity and holiness we are called to. Our hope is not in our ability to get everything right, but in Jesus, who makes us clean and binds us together as one family. It is always more about what God has done and is doing than about our own efforts.
  
  ** [72:35]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Blessing of the Backpacks and Prayer for Students
• [03:10] - Announcements and Movie Night Preview
• [06:00] - Introduction: The Basics of Faith
• [08:30] - John Wooden and the Importance of Fundamentals
• [11:00] - Two Big Ideas: “I Get Things Wrong, and That’s Okay”
• [13:00] - Reading from Colossians 3
• [15:00] - The Apostles’ Creed: “Holy Catholic Church”
• [18:17] - Wrestling with the Word “Holy”
• [19:02] - What Does “Catholic” Mean in the Creed?
• [21:55] - The Universal Church and Our Stories
• [23:25] - Communion of Saints: More Than Just Union
• [25:08] - The Challenge and Gift of Christian Community
• [27:20] - The Forgiveness of Sins: Jesus’ Parable
• [32:35] - Forgiveness as a Response to Grace
• [35:41] - Our Hope in Christ’s Work
• [38:41] - Affirming the Apostles’ Creed Together
• [41:01] - Closing Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:9-14 (ESV) — Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Observation Questions

1. According to Colossians 3, what are some of the “old self” practices that we are called to put off, and what are the “new self” qualities we are to put on?
2. In the sermon, what does the word “holy” mean when describing the church, and why is it sometimes hard to accept that label? [[58:17]]
3. What does the word “catholic” mean in the Apostles’ Creed, according to the sermon? [[01:03:25]]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between “union” and “communion” among believers? [[01:05:08]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “I get things wrong, and that’s okay.” How does this idea connect to the way Paul describes forgiveness and community in Colossians 3? [[01:07:20]]
2. Why is it important that the church is called “holy” not because of our perfection, but because of God’s love and grace? How does this change the way we see ourselves and others in the church? [[59:02]]
3. The sermon talks about the “communion of saints” as a chosen togetherness, not just being in the same place. What are some challenges and blessings of this kind of community? [[01:05:08]]
4. Jesus’ parable about the man forgiven a huge debt who refuses to forgive a small debt is mentioned in the sermon. What does this story teach us about the source and motivation for our forgiveness of others? [[01:07:20]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Sometimes, we want to jump ahead to the complicated parts, but it’s the basics that keep us grounded.” What are some “basics” of faith that you need to return to or practice more intentionally this season? [[08:30]]
2. When you hear that the church is “holy,” do you struggle to believe it because of your own mistakes or the failures of others? How can you remind yourself that holiness is about being set apart by God’s love, not about being perfect? [[59:02]]
3. The word “catholic” means we are part of a worldwide family of believers. Is there a group of Christians (from a different background, tradition, or country) that you find it hard to feel connected to? What is one step you could take to learn from or support them? [[01:03:25]]
4. The sermon says, “Communion means that we both desire to be participating in this relationship.” Is there someone in your church or small group you find it hard to connect with? What is one thing you could do this week to move toward real “communion” with them? [[01:05:08]]
5. Think of a time when you were waiting for someone to apologize before you were willing to forgive. How does the idea that “forgiveness flows from grace, not apology” challenge you? Is there someone you need to forgive, even if they haven’t said sorry? [[01:07:20]]
6. The sermon reminds us that “our hope is in Christ’s work, not our own.” Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own efforts instead of trusting Jesus? What would it look like to shift your hope to what Christ has done? [[01:12:35]]
7. As you start a new season (school year, job, or just a new week), what is one burden or uncertainty you are carrying? How can you invite Jesus and your church family to walk with you through it? [[00:45]]