In today’s service, we delved deep into the essence of worship, understanding it not as a mere suggestion but as a vital necessity in our spiritual journey. Just as daily medications are essential for our physical health, so too are worship, prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship crucial for our spiritual well-being. Worship is not optional; it is critical for our connection with God and our overall spiritual nourishment. Neglecting worship can lead to spiritual malnutrition, impacting every facet of our being. Therefore, we must engage wholeheartedly in worship, allowing God to be in control and experiencing His transformative power in our lives. Worship is not passive; it is a profound connection with God that refreshes us spiritually, physically, and emotionally, akin to hooking a hose to a faucet for life-giving water to flow freely. Let’s not forsake true worship but embrace it as a joyful privilege and a vital part of our Christian walk, enriching our lives and deepening our intimate connection with our Creator.
The message revolves around the profound significance of forgiveness in our spiritual journey. Starting with Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness in Matthew 6:14-15, the text emphasizes the pivotal role forgiveness plays in our relationship with God and others. It delves into the consequences of unforgiveness, likening it to a barren desert that hinders spiritual growth and God’s blessings. The message then shifts to the toxic nature of unforgiveness, drawing parallels to a poisonous substance that corrupts our souls and relationships. Through biblical references and reflections, it highlights God’s model of forgiveness characterized by grace, kindness, and reconciliation. Practical steps to forgiveness are outlined, emphasizing acknowledgment of hurts, letting go of bitterness, prayer, seeking reconciliation, and imitating God’s forgiveness. The conclusion underscores forgiveness as a commandment, a pathway to freedom, and a means to experience the fullness of life in Christ, urging us to embrace forgiveness wholeheartedly for spiritual restoration and abundant blessings.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
1 John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”
We have the privilege of calling “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!”
This call is not a work to establish something with God.
This call is a direct participation in His life.
Of course, no human being dares to participate in God’s life unless he is qualified.
What then qualifies us to participate?
We are qualified by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:17-20).
Knowing this truth sets us free from trying to establish our own righteousness.
Being in this reality takes away all pretense.
Without this reality I will be trying to establish my own righteousness.
For example, I may be in a bad mood and want to get to the Lord.
My getting to the Lord can be like a little ritual that I go through.
I have to call ten times before I can feel accepted by God.
So even my calling upon the name of the Lord becomes a work of attaining to something, rather than a participation in the Lord’s life through the merit of His blood.
First John 2:1 says, “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father.”
It does not even say, “And if anyone repents, we have an Advocate with the Father.”
This means that the moment sin enters the picture and breaks our fellowship with the Lord, there does not need to be any time lost in restoring that fellowship.
“We have [present tense] an Advocate with the Father.”
When sin occurs, in that moment we can turn and look to our Advocate who is before the blood-sprinkled throne.
Then it also may follow that the Holy Spirit will move within you concerning your sin.
He will pass through you, and you will weep and weep.
But your weeping will be tears of joy because you are a forgiven person.
Yet at the same time you will find that you loathe yourself.
Ezekiel chapter 36 indicates that when we have “a new spirit,” indwelt by the divine Spirit, we will spontaneously loathe ourselves (vv. 26-27, 31).
This loathing of ourselves is the activity of the Spirit.
It does not come from morbid introspection and shedding many tears over our poor condition.
Martin Luther passed through this kind of introspection in his own experience.
He shed tears, thinking that this would wash away his sins.
But he discovered that his tears did not work to cleanse his conscience.
Then one day from Romans 1:17 he saw Christ as his total righteousness and became a new man.
The sight of Calvary releases our spirit to participate in Him.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Pam Adams Is Passing Of Her Husband
Junior Stephens Family
Tom Graham (Sandra’s Husband)
John McClain’s Mother
Amy Garner
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Andrew Halevi & Daughter
Ashely Burn’s Sisters
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
David Harrison – Riverside
Deanna Fowler
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Drew
Easton Fielder
Ed Mays
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner’s Friend
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
John Austin
June Cronan’s Sister
Junior Stephens
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Miles Bradshaw
Nora Allison
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Ricky Gipson
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roseleigh Osborn
Sandra Graham
Scott Lanier
Soso Nzolo – 17 Yr. Old South African Pastor’s Daughter
Susan & Alexis Tesone
Susan Mosley
Tom Witcher