WEEKLY SERMON REFLECTIONS

Each week, take 5 days to dive deeper into the heart of our Sunday sermons! Through key insights and scripture, this format will allow for further personal reflection and spiritual growth. Keeping this at the dinner table, discuss it with family and/or friends.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK:

“Father, thank you so much for the forgiveness that we receive through the sacrifice of your Son. Help our hearts to be pliable to the desire you have for us to forgive those who have wronged us. Go before us and prepare a way where we can be reconciled to each other through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DAY
01

...And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…

-MATTHEW 6:12

REFLECTION:

Forgiving others is a reflection of a repentant, regenerate heart. Those who have experienced God’s forgiveness will be compelled to forgive others. If we are unwilling, perhaps we have not truly perceived God’s mercy and forgiveness.

RESPONSE:

How can really knowing the depth of the forgiveness we have been given through the cross, help us to extend forgiveness to others when we’ve been wronged?

DAY
02

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself though Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their tresspasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

-2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-19

REFLECTION:

When Jesus died for our sins and God reconciled us to Himself, which means ‘restoration of the relationship’, He has also set for us an example by which we are to be imitators of Christ extending forgiveness to bring reconciliation.

RESPONSE:

Why would it be important to the larger picture of the Kingdom of God, for us to each in our individual lives, make sure we aren’t living in unforgiveness towards others?

DAY
03

...and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.

-PHILEMON 1:6

REFLECTION:

Faithfulness to Jesus means we recognize that all God’s followers are equal in sharing God’s love and grace. It’s not just an idea, but action is required.

RESPONSE:

How is forgiveness more than just words? How could you put action to it also?

(To be clear, forgiving others does not mean that we accept and allow any kind of abuse in relationships. Those situations require specific counsel.)

DAY
04

If then you regard me a partner (Greek word is: Koinonia), accept him as you would me.

- PHILEMON 1:17

REFLECTION:

In Christ we are one body of believers and there is no separation of social status, race, class, education, upbringing, etc…We are partners in our faith. We are brothers and sisters under “Our Father”.

RESPONSE:

When you put in the hard work of reconciliation, what benefits would that have to your life and to the life of the other person to make amends?

DAY
05

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

-EPHESIANS 4:32

REFLECTION:

The Ground is level before the cross. Christ died for ALL people that we might become sons and daughters of the most High. The ‘Our Father’ is written to be expressed as a collective prayer and provision received amongst the whole, much of which is worked out in relationship with one another “in Christ.”

RESPONSE:

Who is someone that you need to have reconciliation with? Search the scriptures to bring better understanding and ask the Lord to help you take the first step.