Forgiveness, Others to Us
Receiving forgiveness isn’t always a calm and healing process. Sometimes we resist it. Pride, unrepentance, or jealousy can blind us. Other times, we may not “feel” forgiven, so we think we haven’t really experienced forgiveness. This week we look at the “events” that made forgiveness possible and learn about how forgiveness is more than a feeling.
Paul Stirs Up Antioch
Anchor Texts:
Acts 13:13-52 ESVUK - Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia
Matthew 18:15-18 ESVUK - If Your Brother Sins Against You
Questions to Ponder:
What are the names of the 4 main men Paul includes in 13:17-22. What important names did Paul Leave out of this summary of Israel’s history? What’s important about these 4?
The point of Paul’s big story comes down to 13:38-39 - re-read this passage. What is the main point, and furthermore, what can’t the Law set us free from?
Why would people scoff at this proclaimation of forgiveness (v.41)? (Hint - think about why they might not like Jesus)
Re-read vv.44-45 - (To help us imagine a bit of what it was like for the Jews…) Imagine someone came to our church and preached some radical new interpretation of the Scriptures and many people followed after them - how would you feel? Would you be an “early adopter”? Come along later? Dig your heels in?
The Pharisee’s jealousy and mistrust hardened their hearts to the proclamation - why were they jealous and mistrustful?
Why would the Gentiles rejoice at what they heard (v. 48)?
The Theme in Song:
This song is about the many stories of pain that we feel; some things that happen to us, other things that we have done. Receiving forgiveness from God and others is part of the path to healing from painful experiences. It isn’t just a metaphor either, Jesus bore the cross of our sin and shame on his real flesh and blood shoulders so that forgiveness should be proclaimed to you and me and everyone else.