Forgiveness is one of the hardest teachings of Christianity, and it is one of the most essential. I think people think other things are harder than forgiveness, but if you've ever been hurt, forgiveness is one of THE most radical and most difficult teachings of Christianity.
In fact, at the center of the Lord’s Prayer, we pray, "God, don't forgive me if I don't forgive those who've hurt me." Alright that is sort of what we pray; “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” And so we realize the stakes are high when it comes to forgiveness. So today let’s talk about what, like what does forgiveness mean?
But before we do that what are some misconceptions of forgiveness. First thing, forgiveness doesn't mean you're no longer hurt. Forgiveness doesn't mean that you have to be friends with this person again and forgiveness doesn't mean
When we think of freedom what comes to mind? For many of us, an initial thought, especially because wen just celebrated July fourth, is the freedom we enjoy in the United States. Many have paid a great price and we are the beneficiaries of that. We should be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy here.
However, there is another kind of freedom which is substantially more important, that freedom is our ability to worship or be in relationship with our almighty God. This freedom, before the Fall in the Garden, started out as a completely open freedom, where Adam and Eve were obedient to God and enjoyed a personal and direct communion or relationship with Him. Additionally, after Adam and Eve had disobeyed, the way Genesis 3:8 is written at least suggests that they enjoyed direct relationship with Him frequently. They also enjoyed a situation where they were much more free with each other.
Afterwards however the situation changed dramatically. They were less free in several ways including no longer having open access to God and also not having access to the Tree of Life.. A very important but perhaps less obvious difference that came about is how the relationship between Adam and Eve changed. They covered themselves. They were ashamed, less free with each other. Additionally, the earth beneath them, instead of benefiting them became more of a source of toil for them. Freedom was lost there also. Their lives changed in many other ways if we look at just the next few chapters of Scripture; life became MUCH harder for them.
How does this impact us today you may be asking; this was a long time ago. Mankind today is much less free to approach God directly. Without the salvific work of Christ, we would be completely unable to do this. We have all sinned according to Romans and can not approach Him directly. When Christ died the veil in the temple was torn, telling us that a way to approach our almighty God was now available, through our Savior, mediator, and Lord Jesus Christ. We should be celebrating this at least every Easter, if not more frequently. When we pray, it is to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. Jesus is the go between, the intermediary between God and man. He through His suffering has paid a tremendous price to restore or reconcile the relationship between God and man. Let us give thanks, often, for the love shown by God to restore the freedom for us to have relationship with Him even though we have sinned.
Pastor Brian
Here is what JaxNaz is doing to reach their community. To watch just click the play button.
Coming Up At Mount Carmel
Monthly Mission Focus:
This month we will be focusing on local missions right here in Rancho Penasquitos. We have included the video above to give an idea of what other Nazarene churches are doing to reach their local community.
Wednesday Night 4 Week Bible Study Fellowship:
Starting THIS WEDNESDAY, 6:30pm at Hilltop Park. Mount Carmel wants to help everyone continue to understand more about who God is. We believe small groups are the key to connecting in a biblical way with others, so we are adding a small Bible Study to go along with the sermon while we are on our break for the summer. A small group provides healthy fellowship in our community marked by Christian love and oneness. So join us as we talk about who God is. Please bring some money to pitch in for pizza & drinks.
Senior High Camp:
July 29th– August 2nd, $325. High School students save the date for our Senior High Camp. We would love to see you and your friends be able to go. For more information and registration, see Chelsea or you can go to our district website: socalnaz.org
Fall Festival Planning Meeting:
Sunday, July 22nd after service. Save this date for our Fall Festival planning meeting. We want to make sure that we have all hands on deck for these outreach events so please come and be a part of the planning meeting.
Summer Nights Outreach:
THIS Sunday, July 15 & August 12 from 5-7pm. We’ll be gathering together at Hilltop Park for an all church BBQ. There are only two this summer, so make sure you set this time aside in your calendar. This is a great time to invite friends, co-workers and other people you have been witnessing to. Click here to let us know you're coming and to sign up for food!
Women's Ministry Bunco Night:
Friday, August 10 at 7pm, $5. Ladies, are you looking for a way to casually invite your friends to church? This event is a great one to do that with. We'll be playing bunco, eating snacks and winning prizes! Join us!
Offering:
To all those who give during out service or online, THANK YOU!!! The money you give goes to helping our community and the global church. If you missed giving this week, just visit our giving page here and give online.
We also are set up to receive Faith Promise through our online giving here just make sure that you select Faith Promise instead of general offering.
Tithing is a discipline that will strengthen your faith and the church cannot function properly without your support. If you consider Mount Carmel your church home, please pray about being obedient to the Lord in this way.
Coming Up At Mount Carmel
Monthly Mission Focus:
This month we will be focusing on local missions right here in Rancho Penasquitos. We have included the video above to give an idea of what other Nazarene churches are doing to reach their local community.
Wednesday Night 4 Week Bible Study Fellowship:
Starting THIS WEDNESDAY, 6:30pm at Hilltop Park. Mount Carmel wants to help everyone continue to understand more about who God is. We believe small groups are the key to connecting in a biblical way with others, so we are adding a small Bible Study to go along with the sermon while we are on our break for the summer. A small group provides healthy fellowship in our community marked by Christian love and oneness. So join us as we talk about who God is. Please bring some money to pitch in for pizza & drinks.
Senior High Camp:
July 29th– August 2nd, $325. High School students save the date for our Senior High Camp. We would love to see you and your friends be able to go. For more information and registration, see Chelsea or you can go to our district website: socalnaz.org
Fall Festival Planning Meeting:
Sunday, July 22nd after service. Save this date for our Fall Festival planning meeting. We want to make sure that we have all hands on deck for these outreach events so please come and be a part of the planning meeting.
Summer Nights Outreach:
THIS Sunday, July 15 & August 12 from 5-7pm. We’ll be gathering together at Hilltop Park for an all church BBQ. There are only two this summer, so make sure you set this time aside in your calendar. This is a great time to invite friends, co-workers and other people you have been witnessing to. Click here to let us know you're coming and to sign up for food!
Women's Ministry Bunco Night:
Friday, August 10 at 7pm, $5. Ladies, are you looking for a way to casually invite your friends to church? This event is a great one to do that with. We'll be playing bunco, eating snacks and winning prizes! Join us!
Offering:
To all those who give during out service or online, THANK YOU!!! The money you give goes to helping our community and the global church. If you missed giving this week, just visit our giving page here and give online.
We also are set up to receive Faith Promise through our online giving here just make sure that you select Faith Promise instead of general offering.
Tithing is a discipline that will strengthen your faith and the church cannot function properly without your support. If you consider Mount Carmel your church home, please pray about being obedient to the Lord in this way.
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Our mailing address is:
Mount Carmel Church of the Nazarene
10060 Carmel Mountain RoadSan Diego, California 92129, United States
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