Grace is one of those things that is utterly confounding. While it seems to make no rational sense at all, it is completely necessary, a reflection of the divine that's most challenging.
We looked at Psalm 32 which understands the need for honestly and candor in confession. The psalmist laments the attempt to deny, hide, or obscure one's failings. There is recognition that nothing prospers and nothing progresses until confession reinstates a right relationship with God. The promise of God's gracious forgiveness is understood as the natural result.
That seems to spell it out. Know your sins. Confess your sins. Experience the grace of God's loving forgiveness. That's it, until we read the parable of the prodigal son.
The well known parable in Luke 15 shows the abject sinner, the younger son, being a total screw-up, who returns home a shameful failure. The father, like God, rushes to embrace the son who was lost but now is found. No confession, no nothing, just gracious forgiveness.
Then there's the elder son. That part of the story is for the righteous, like you and me who may not have identified with the scandalous younger brother. You'll have to read the sermon to find out what that's all about.
Sorry, there is no video this week. The video technician had a major technical difficulty. He forgot to bring the camera with him. I promise to do better next Sunday. You can still download the sermon text below and see if you have anything in common with the good and righteous elder brother.
We looked at Psalm 32 which understands the need for honestly and candor in confession. The psalmist laments the attempt to deny, hide, or obscure one's failings. There is recognition that nothing prospers and nothing progresses until confession reinstates a right relationship with God. The promise of God's gracious forgiveness is understood as the natural result.
That seems to spell it out. Know your sins. Confess your sins. Experience the grace of God's loving forgiveness. That's it, until we read the parable of the prodigal son.
The well known parable in Luke 15 shows the abject sinner, the younger son, being a total screw-up, who returns home a shameful failure. The father, like God, rushes to embrace the son who was lost but now is found. No confession, no nothing, just gracious forgiveness.
Then there's the elder son. That part of the story is for the righteous, like you and me who may not have identified with the scandalous younger brother. You'll have to read the sermon to find out what that's all about.
Sorry, there is no video this week. The video technician had a major technical difficulty. He forgot to bring the camera with him. I promise to do better next Sunday. You can still download the sermon text below and see if you have anything in common with the good and righteous elder brother.
| 03-06-16-ff-answers.pdf |
| 03-06-16-reflecting_grace.pdf |