Series: Forgiven
Message: Can We Forgive and Forget?
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 26:6-12.

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 - As you re-read for the final time this week in the ESV translation, what did you discover new about God’s character? 

Reflect: Our world, our country, our city, and our homes all exist in a state of sin. Sin is not just broken systems, or broken management, crime and abuse, it is the constant attack of Satan in our lives. It has affected our DNA. Our human nature. We cannot trust ourselves to be the standard of right and wrong. We cannot rely on our wisdom alone to live a life of justice. Our nature is bent toward evil and only Jesus saves us. As Paul, pushing against all the attackers, shared in 2 Corinthians 4:8-12: 

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Hopefully you are able to join us and celebrate communion tomorrow. Just like the Passover meal, it looks both backward and forward. We celebrate that the death of Jesus and how that reality changed the world forever (Revelation 12), and His soon return will bring the fullest reconciliation desperately needed for the whole universe. 

Recalibrate: 

1. We are encouraged every day to spend time with Jesus; what is the one area of your life you have not wanted to share with Him?
2. Who do you need to forgive? 
3. Who needs to forgive you?

Respond: Pray for the soon return of Jesus.

Research: Read one of the books or commentaries for this series on 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.