All Things New, Pt. 4
We’re back for one more week of looking at our future hope from different angles. Let’s a do a quick review. First, we talked about the Bible’s big arc, from creation to New Creation (not merely flying off to Heaven for eternity!). Then we talked about what happens right when we die (going to Heaven to be with Christ) and how the Bible focuses on what comes next - the Resurrections of our bodies and life on the New Earth with God. Last week we talked about 3 levels of understanding we have with regard to future events (knowing, informed imagination, and speculation).
Now in our last week - we take a close look at what “forgiveness” and “redemption” mean and how they give us freedom today and hope for the future.
Anchor Texts:
Luke 7:36-50 NLT - Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
Sermon Notes PDF: November 12 Notes
Questions to Ponder:
In your own words, what is the difference between redemption and forgiveness?
Think of it in terms of the debt and potential debt slavery Jesus talks about in Luke 7:41-43.
In Luke 7:50, Jesus says “your faith has saved you” - how do we know what her “faith” was when she never said anything?
Personal reflection: Examine your own life - do you try to justify yourself and explain away your mistakes? Do you readily confess “I have sinned” to God and to others?
What’s the difference between saying “I’m sorry” to God or someone compared to “I’ve sinned"? How do you confess your error to someone who isn’t a Christian and might not understand language like “sin”?
The Theme in Song:
Here is a real gem of a song. It’s by the Sidewalk Prophets and its called “Come to the Table.” It describes a different meal that the one Jesus had at Simon the Pharisee’s house. In this song, the host welcomes all to the table, knowing that it’s by the grace of Jesus that all of us are able to be there, because we’re all sinners. This beautiful picture of taking your seat beside the savior moves us to awe and overwhelming thankfulness for the grace of Jesus that sets us free and gives us a place back in our true home with God again. Dave Frey, the lead singer, has an amazing voice, doesn’t he?
The Theme for Kids:
This week we look at what needs to happen in this age so that we can be perfectly happy with Jesus in the age to come. The sinful woman and Jesus show us exactly how it works!