Faith, Forgiveness, and the Power of Community

Devotional

Day 1: Equipping Youth for Faith Challenges

Faith formation is essential for young people as they navigate a world that often challenges their beliefs. It is crucial to provide them with the knowledge and tools to defend their faith, ensuring they remain steadfast in their convictions. As they grow, they will encounter various situations that test their beliefs, and being prepared will help them respond with confidence and grace. The church community plays a vital role in this process, offering support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. By investing in the spiritual development of our youth, we are not only strengthening their faith but also building a resilient future for the church. [00:00]

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively support a young person in your community to grow in their faith this week?

Day 2: Addressing the Hidden Virus of Bitterness

Bitterness can be likened to a dormant virus within us, waiting for the right moment to resurface and cause harm. It can damage our relationships with others and with God, acting as a barrier to the grace and forgiveness we are called to extend. Recognizing and addressing bitterness is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and spiritual well-being. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are powerful tools in combating bitterness. By cultivating these virtues, we can release the hold bitterness has on us and foster a more loving and forgiving heart. [33:49]

"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled." (Hebrews 12:15, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a situation where bitterness has taken root in your heart. What steps can you take today to begin addressing and releasing it?

Day 3: Learning from Suffering

Suffering is an inevitable part of life, often stemming from those closest to us. However, it is through suffering that we can learn valuable lessons and develop resilience. Jesus' own suffering for our sake is the ultimate example of love and forgiveness, which we are called to emulate. By embracing the lessons that come from suffering, we can grow stronger in our faith and character. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of God's love and to extend that love to others, even in the face of adversity. [37:58]

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience of suffering. What lesson can you learn from it, and how can it strengthen your faith?

Day 4: The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about forgetting or excusing wrongdoing but about releasing the control that bitterness has over us. It is a gift we give ourselves, allowing us to move forward and experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. By practicing forgiveness, we can heal and restore our relationships, drawing closer to God and experiencing His peace. Forgiveness is a powerful act of love that frees us from the chains of resentment and opens the door to reconciliation and growth. [54:52]

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone you need to forgive. What steps can you take today to begin the process of forgiveness and healing?

Day 5: Embracing Repentance and Healing

Practicing forgiveness and repentance leads to healthier relationships and a closer connection with God. It is through these acts that we can experience the fruits of the Spirit and live a life of grace and peace. Repentance is not just about acknowledging our wrongs but actively turning away from them and seeking to make amends. By embracing repentance, we open ourselves to God's transformative power, allowing Him to heal our hearts and guide us toward a more fulfilling and purposeful life. [59:06]

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek repentance? How can you take a step toward healing and renewal today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the importance of faith formation for our youth, emphasizing the need to equip them with the knowledge and tools to defend their beliefs. As they grow, they will inevitably face challenges to their faith, and it is our responsibility to prepare them for these moments. We also celebrated the concept of the church as a family, highlighting the support and love we provide each other through life's ups and downs. This sense of community is vital, especially when welcoming new members, like young Jace, into our fold.

We then turned our attention to the theme of bitterness, a topic that resonates deeply with many of us. Bitterness, much like a dormant virus, can lie hidden within us, only to resurface and cause harm when triggered. It can damage our relationships with others and with God, acting as a barrier to the grace and forgiveness that we are called to extend. The scriptures remind us of the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—and how these virtues can help us combat bitterness.

Suffering is an inevitable part of life, often stemming from those closest to us. However, it is through suffering that we can learn valuable lessons and develop resilience. Jesus himself suffered for our sake, demonstrating the ultimate act of love and forgiveness. We are encouraged to follow his example, letting go of bitterness and embracing forgiveness as a means to heal and restore our relationships.

Forgiveness is not about forgetting or excusing wrongdoing, but about releasing the hold that bitterness has on us. It is a gift we give ourselves, allowing us to move forward and experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. By practicing forgiveness and repentance, we can create healthier, more fulfilling relationships and draw closer to God.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith formation is crucial for our youth as they will face challenges to their beliefs. Equipping them with knowledge and understanding helps them defend their faith and remain steadfast in their convictions. [00:00]
2. Bitterness can lie dormant within us, much like a virus, and can resurface to cause harm. It is essential to address and release bitterness to maintain healthy relationships with others and with God. [33:49]
3. Suffering is a part of life, but it can teach us valuable lessons and build resilience. Jesus' suffering for our sake is the ultimate example of love and forgiveness, which we are called to emulate. [37:58]
4. Forgiveness is not about forgetting or excusing wrongdoing but about releasing the control that bitterness has over us. It is a gift that allows us to move forward and experience the fullness of life. [54:52]
5. Practicing forgiveness and repentance leads to healthier relationships and a closer connection with God. It is through these acts that we can experience the fruits of the Spirit and live a life of grace and peace. [59:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:05] - Faith Formation for Youth
[00:45] - Prayer and Worship
[01:30] - Church as a Family
[02:15] - Child Dedication
[03:00] - Observations on Churches
[04:00] - Mission of Lifting Up Jesus
[05:00] - Series on Marriage and Relationships
[06:00] - Addressing Bitterness
[07:00] - The Reality of Suffering
[08:00] - Lessons from Suffering
[09:00] - The Power of Forgiveness
[10:00] - Repentance and Healing
[11:00] - Closing Prayer and Song

Sermon Clips

"And you may be seated You know, it sounds cliche for a lot of people But I just think it's true that the church is a family We're a church family And we're there for each other You know, the last 29 years that I've been here We've done that for each other Pandemics, floods, hurricanes, freezes Raising kids together Raising grandkids together And we've been there for each other And we've been there for each other And that's what family does And family not only are we there for each other But we celebrate So whenever a newborn or a child comes into a family Either through birth or adoption We wanna celebrate And that's what this dedication is all about Celebrating with each other And saying to our family We've got your back We're gonna be there for you We're gonna pray for you We're gonna lift you up And if you need more, we'll be there as well Because that's what family does." [00:21:42] (55 seconds)

"Next month, a brand new series will begin as we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, Easter Sunday. So, but I hope and pray this has been a series that has spoken to your hearts and lives and to your families. As again, the evolution, if you will, of this series is all about protecting. We said last Sunday, the power and the importance of protecting your family from temptation. And this morning, we're looking at protecting your heart, your family, your marriage, from something that all of us have. Something all of us have dealt with. I have, you have, we all have. And that is the subject of bitterness. Now, you're going, Mark, I'm not a bitter person. I'm not bitter. I understand that at this moment, maybe you're not. But let me just say this. Bitterness can be dormant. Kind of like shingles. Bitterness can be dormant. Kind of like almost maybe like cholesterol. You may be kind of low right now, but if you're not careful, it gets too high, you have a heart problem. The reality is that bitterness is in our hearts and lives if we're not careful." [00:31:29] (59 seconds)

"We all have a sense of bitterness. And if we're not careful, that bitterness will stay there. It'll be dormant. But all you have to do is say that person's name. All you have to do is bring up that subject. All you have to do is bring up that circumstance. All you have to do is see that person show up at a gathering, and you weren't expecting them to be there, and all of a sudden, there they are. And all of a sudden, bitterness begins to come out of you. You start thinking things and saying things and doing things. And here's what we all know. When you are bitter towards people, it breaks the relationship, if you will, with God. Don't ask me how I know that. Bitterness is a reality. Sometimes it's dormant." [00:33:49] (43 seconds)

"Galatians chapter 5 says this, verse 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Colossians chapter 3, verse 12 says this. And so as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. In some translations, it says long-suffering, bearing with one another and forgiving each other. Whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you." [00:34:10] (41 seconds)

"May the God who inspired these words now speak to us as we look at the power and the importance of protecting our hearts, our marriages, our families, our relationships from bitterness. May we pray. Heavenly Father, pray your blessings upon us. God, I pray that you will bring grace and truth to us. And may our hearts be open to your word as your spirit takes your word and speaks to us. We pray this in Jesus' name." [00:35:26] (30 seconds)

"Sometimes suffering teaches us lessons. And sometimes suffering gives us the grit we need, unlike anything else, to be the leaders that God wants us to be. You know, some of the greatest leaders endured suffering and they later reach the goal set before them. Here's what I know as I read the word of God. The Bible teaches that by faith, many who have suffered, they shut the mouths of lions. And many who suffered quenched the power of the fire. And many who suffered escaped the edge of the sword. And many who suffered overcame giants. And of course, Jesus, in order to pay the price for your sin and for mine, he had to suffer." [00:39:20] (44 seconds)

"Jesus suffered so that we would not suffer in eternity. I've said it before, I'll say it again. If you're a non-believer today, if you're a non-believer watching online, if you're a non-believer, meaning I don't believe in Jesus, I don't believe all this God stuff, okay, just know this. If you're a non-believer, this is as close to heaven as you're ever going to get. If you're a believer in Jesus, if you're a believer, a follower of Yahshua, that's his Hebrew name, if you're a believer in Jesus, this is as close to hell as you're ever going to get. Keep that in mind. Jesus suffered so that we would not suffer for all of eternity." [00:41:09] (43 seconds)

"Recognize this. There can't be a relationship unless the bitterness that's causing the suffering has been addressed. In other words, you cannot be close to a loved one as long as there is pain between the two of you. Note this well. You can't have a relationship without the elements of forgiveness. Again, it is the oil of any relationship. I tell people all the time that confessing and forgiving and repenting is the oil of your relationship. If you don't have it, it is going to break down like oil in a car. Here's an experiment that I don't want you to do, but you know where I'm going. Take the oil out of your engine of your car. See how long it lasts. See how far you go. See how well it drives. So it is with the oil of your relationship. It is all about forgiveness. It is all about confessing. It is all about repenting." [00:55:16] (54 seconds)

"Forgiveness is letting go of the control that another person has over you because as long as you are bitter, that person has control over you. They are all you think about and talk about. I mean, you can be in the beauty part. Let me tell you about this person. I mean, that's who you are. That's what you do. You know, you talk to your friends. Let me tell you what this person did. Let me, they have control over you because you're bitter. Forgiveness also is giving a gift to yourself. You're saying, you know what? I'm moving on. I'm letting go of the stress. It's also forsaking revenge. The word of God says, vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. God will, again, bring the vengeance he sees fit in that situation, leaving, therefore, the ultimate justice on God's, in God's hands. Forgiveness is also an ongoing process. For some, you can forgive, boom, and you're good. For others, forgiveness is a process." [00:56:56] (58 seconds)

"Forgiveness is not denying the sin occurred. It's not denying or diminishing the evil that occurred. It's not enabling sin. It's not enabling a person to do the wrong thing. It's not enabling abuse or addiction or adultery. It's not a response to an apology. You may never get an apology from some people. Next, it's not covering up crimes or immoral behavior. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, hear this loud and clear, sometimes you need to forgive and then call the police. Because forgiveness is not covering up a crime. Sometimes you need to forgive and then call the police. That's okay. Forgiveness is not forgetting. I hear that all the time. Well, I can't forgive and forget. Nobody's asking you to forget. That's a neurological thing. You'll always have that memory, but it doesn't mean you have to always bring it up." [00:58:36] (58 seconds)

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