Grace: Embracing Our Past, Present, and Future

This morning, we gathered as a family to set aside the distractions and worries of life and enter into the presence of God, who meets us exactly where we are. Through the story in Luke 7:36-50, we witnessed a powerful encounter between Jesus, a Pharisee named Simon, and a woman known for her sinful past. This woman, despite her reputation and the shame that could have kept her away, boldly entered the room, poured out her tears and perfume at Jesus’ feet, and found herself seen, known, and forgiven by the Lord. Her story is not just a historical account, but a living reminder that God is intimately involved in every part of our lives—our shadowed past, our messy present, and our uncertain future.

God does not wait for us to clean ourselves up before He draws near. He steps into the darkest corners of our history, not to condemn, but to redeem and restore. The world and even our own minds may replay our failures, but Jesus speaks the language of grace, not condemnation. Our past does not define us; His presence does.

In the present, God is not put off by the awkwardness or the messiness of our lives. Like Jesus at Simon’s table, He is unafraid to enter our chaos, to confront our pride, and to receive our vulnerability. He speaks to us in ways we can understand—through scripture, through the timely words of a friend, or through the quiet conviction of the Spirit. He invites us to see ourselves and others through His eyes, with compassion and hope.

Looking to the future, Jesus does not leave us in our brokenness. He offers us shalom—wholeness, restoration, and a future rewritten by grace. No matter what uncertainties lie ahead, He is already there, holding our tomorrows in His hands. The invitation is to respond with extravagant love, to pour out our worship and our lives at His feet, trusting that He is the God of all our days.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God Meets Us in Our Shadowed Past No matter how dark or shameful our history may feel, God is not repelled by it. He knows every detail and still draws near, offering forgiveness and grace. Our past does not have the final word—His presence and love do. Let His voice of grace silence the accusations of your past. [53:31]
• 2. Shame Builds Walls, But Grace Breaks Through Shame has a way of isolating us, convincing us that we are unworthy of love or acceptance. Yet, like the woman who braved the stares and whispers to reach Jesus, we are invited to bring our brokenness to Him. Grace dismantles the barriers shame erects, allowing us to experience true freedom and belonging. [51:36]
• 3. God Is Present in Our Messy Now Jesus is not afraid of the awkwardness or complexity of our current struggles. He steps into our present reality, whether it’s filled with pride, pain, or confusion, and speaks directly to our hearts. He meets us not where we wish we were, but exactly where we are, offering understanding and transformation. [61:54]
• 4. Extravagant Love Flows from Deep Forgiveness Those who recognize the depth of their forgiveness are empowered to love deeply and freely. The woman’s lavish act of worship was a response to the grace she received, not a prerequisite for it. When we grasp how much we’ve been forgiven, our hearts overflow with gratitude and love for God and others. [60:10]
• 5. Our Future Is Secure in Christ’s Hands Jesus not only redeems our past and sustains us in the present, but He also secures our future. He offers us shalom—a peace that is more than the absence of trouble, but the presence of wholeness and hope. No matter what uncertainties we face, we can trust that He is making all things new and leading us forward in love.
  
  ** [64:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [03:16] - Morning Fellowship and Prayer
• [04:21] - Entering God’s Presence
• [42:35] - Joy in Gathering Together
• [43:44] - Setting the Scene: The Dinner Party
• [45:19] - Reading Luke 7:36-50
• [48:04] - God Speaks to Our Hearts
• [50:09] - Meeting Us in Our Shadowed Past
• [52:03] - God’s Grace in Our Mess
• [55:26] - God Steps Into Our Present
• [57:29] - The Contrast: Simon and the Woman
• [59:29] - Seeing Through God’s Eyes
• [62:41] - Listening for God in Our Mess
• [63:58] - Hope and a Future: Shalom
• [66:48] - Go in Peace: Responding to Grace
• [68:48] - A Prayer for Past, Present, and Future
• [71:22] - Benediction and Blessing
• [72:07] - Closing and Announcements

Bible Reading

Luke 7:36-50 (ESV) — 36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Observation Questions

1. What actions did the woman take when she entered the Pharisee’s house, and how did the people in the room react to her?
2. How did Simon the Pharisee treat Jesus compared to how the woman treated Him?
3. What story did Jesus tell Simon, and what was the main point of that story?
4. What did Jesus say to the woman at the end of the story, and what does that reveal about His attitude toward her?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the woman was willing to risk shame and judgment to approach Jesus in such a public way? What does this say about her understanding of who Jesus is?
2. The sermon says, “Shame has a way of building walls... but grace breaks through.” In what ways does shame keep people from coming to God, and how does Jesus respond to that shame in this story?
3. Jesus contrasts the woman’s “extravagant love” with Simon’s lack of hospitality. What does this teach about the connection between forgiveness and love?
4. The phrase “Go in peace” (shalom) is used by Jesus at the end. What does shalom mean in this context, and how is it different from just saying “goodbye”?

Application Questions

1. The sermon asks, “Where is God meeting you in your shadowed past, right now, today?” Is there a part of your past that you keep replaying or feel ashamed of? What would it look like to let Jesus speak grace into that area?
2. Shame often isolates us and makes us feel unworthy. Can you think of a time when shame kept you from reaching out to God or others? What helped you break through that wall, or what could help you now?
3. The woman’s act of pouring out her perfume and tears was a response to Jesus’ forgiveness, not a way to earn it. Are there ways you try to “earn” God’s love or forgiveness instead of receiving it as a gift? How can you shift your mindset this week?
4. The sermon says, “God meets us not where we wish we were, but exactly where we are.” What is one area of your life right now that feels messy or awkward? How might you invite Jesus into that space this week?
5. Jesus challenged Simon to see the woman through God’s eyes. Is there someone in your life you tend to judge or avoid because of their past or present struggles? What would it look like to see them with compassion and hope?
6. The sermon reminds us that our future is secure in Christ’s hands, and that He offers us shalom—wholeness and restoration. What is one worry or uncertainty about your future that you need to entrust to Jesus today?
7. The woman responded to Jesus with “extravagant love.” What is one practical way you can pour out your love and gratitude to God this week, even if it feels costly or vulnerable?