Author: Pastor Page

When we face disappointment

• Jesus can become a stranger
• He desires to reunite with us
• He is always a gracious Host

Jesus the Stranger (1–4). When Peter returned to the old life, he took six other men with him.

• Their work was in vain (15:5) because the Lord was not with them.
• How kind He is to come to us when we have disobeyed Him and have failed in our work!

John 21:1‭-‬14 NIV 1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee (JamesandJohn), and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them,

I wonder if Peter Remembered:

• Mark 1:16‭-‬18 NIV As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
• Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 NIV  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus the Master (5–8). When Jesus takes charge:

• failure is turned into success; and the difference was only the width of the ship!
• You never know how close you are to victory, so admit your failure and obey what He tells you to do.
• He never fails.

5 “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

• Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Note: Their Eyes Were Opened

Jesus the Host (9–14). It took six men to drag the net (v. 8), but Peter did it alone when Jesus gave the orders (v. 11). We should always remember that “God’s commandment is God’s enablement.”

• Did the fire of coals remind Peter of his denials (Matthew 26:72)?
• Did the miraculous catch of fish remind him of his call to service (Luke 5:1–11)?
• How kind of Jesus to feed Peter before dealing with him about his sins!

9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.  13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

• Philippians 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

• 1 Corinthians 2:9‭-‬10‭, ‬12 NIV However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Luke 24:13‭-‬32 NIV

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.

Note: They were disappointed and thought all hope was gone.

Examples:

• How he had healed the sick
• How he had fed the five thousand
• How he had raised lazareth from the dead
• How he had calmed the storms
• Who he proclaimed that he was
• How he had been unjustly sentenced to death on the cross
• How the tomb was now empty
• How they thought he had come to overthrow the Roman government as the true Messiah.

15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

Note: Sometimes our fears can prevent us from seeing the perfector of our faith.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

Jesus Takes Over The Conversion

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

The Books of Moses

Luke 24:27 (FSB): 24:27  Refers to the Law (or Pentateuch)—the first five books of the ot, which traditionally are ascribed to Moses.

Ge 12:3

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Nu 21:9

So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

• Jesus alluded to this incident in John 3:14–15: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life in him.

Is 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Jn 1:45

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

All the Prophets

Luke 24:27 (FSB): This section includes the ot books of Joshua through 2 Kings (except Ruth) and Isaiah through Malachi (except Lamentations and Daniel).

Jesus Moves From Their Heads to Hearts

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

Note: Until we invite him in, there will never be a true transformation of our lives.

Jesus Moves from Guest to Host

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

• Hebrews 4:12 NIV For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Matthew 28:1‭-‬8 NIV

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

• John 20:24‭-‬29 NIV Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Easter = Look to the East as the sun rises, new day, new beginnings

For The Believer, Easter Means:

• God can move mountains
• Split seas
• Restore life
• Roll away stones

Peter States it Well

1 Peter 1:3‭-‬9 NIV

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Note: The new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit not human will (see Jn 3:3–8).

• John 3:3 NIV. Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”

6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

• Philippians 4:4‭-‬5 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Resurrection Results

Redemption

• Romans 8:1‭-‬2 NIV Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

• Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all thingsGod works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Identity and Purpose

• Ephesians 2:8‭-‬10 NIV For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We Must Always Remember

• Romans 3:20‭, ‬23 NIV Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

• Romans 6:23 NIV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

About Salvation

Romans 10:9‭-‬11 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

The basic theme of the psalm is announced in v. 1a. Verses 1b–3 develop the theme by affirming the psalmist’s total security under the Shepherd-King’s care. Verse 4 elaborates on this theme by focusing on the Shepherd’s protection in times of great danger and distress. Verse 5 describes the psalmist’s privileged position as an honored guest at the Shepherd-King’s table. In v. 6 the psalmist professes his full confidence for the future—a confidence grounded in the Shepherd-King’s faithful covenant love. The psalm is framed by its first and last lines, each of which refers to “the Lord.”

Six P’s of Psalm 23

• Possession: My shepherd (v.1)
• Position: He maketh me to lie down … beside the still waters (v.2)
• Promise: He restoreth my soul (v.3)
• Progress: Yea, though I walk through the valley (v.4)
• Provision: Thou preparest a table before me (v.5)
• Prospect: Goodness and mercy (v.6)

Though Psalm 23 is often read at funerals, its message applies to the days of your life right now

The Message

Psalms 23:1‭-‬6 NIV The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

God meets the everyday needs of your life as you follow Him (Ps. 37:25; Phil. 4:18).

• Philippians 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

• If we wander, He seeks us and restores us, as He did with David, Jonah, and Peter.
• When we need to know which way to go, He shows us the right path and then goes before us to prepare the way.
• Even in the places of danger, we need not be afraid. (Note the change from “He” in vv. 1–3 to “You” in vv. 4–5.) He is with you!

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

The Shepherd is there to care for every hurt and heal every bruise.

• 1 Peter 5:7‭-‬8‭, ‬10 NIV  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

One day, you will look back at your life and see that it was only “goodness and mercy,” and that includes the valley experiences. If life is difficult today, just keep following the Shepherd; He will never lead you where He cannot care for you.

• Psalms 107:1‭-‬9 NIV  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Common causes of anger

• Stress.
• Not feeling appreciated or treated fairly.
• Financial challenges.
• Work or relationship issues.
• Car accidents or bad traffic.
• Violence or abuse.

When is it Good

• There is a type of anger of which the Bible approves, often called “righteous indignation.”
• God is angry (Psalm 7:11; Mark 3:5),
• it is acceptable for believers to be angry (Ephesians 4:26).
• Two Greek words in the New Testament are translated as “anger.”
  • One means “passion, energy”
  • the other means “agitated, boiling.”
• Biblically, anger is God-given energy intended to help us solve problems.
• Examples of biblical anger include
  • David’s being upset over hearing Nathan the prophet sharing an injustice (2 Samuel 12)
  • Jesus’ anger over how some of the Jews had defiled worship at God’s temple in Jerusalem (John 2:13-18).
  • Notice that neither of these examples of anger involved self-defense, but a defense of others or of a principle.

When is it Bad

Anger can become sinful when

• It is motivated by pride (James 1:20),
• when it is unproductive and thus distorts God’s purposes (1 Corinthians 10:31), or when anger is allowed to linger (Ephesians 4:26-27).
• One obvious sign that anger has turned to sin is when, instead of attacking the problem at hand, we attack the wrongdoer.
• Ephesians 4:15-19 says we are to speak the truth in love and use our words to build others up not allow rotten or destructive words to pour from our lips.
• Unfortunately, this poisonous speech is a common characteristic of fallen man (Romans 3:13-14).
• Anger becomes sin when it is allowed to boil over without restraint, resulting in a scenario in which hurt is multiplied (Proverbs 29:11), leaving devastation in its wake.
• Anger also becomes sin when the angry one refuses to be pacified
  • holds a grudge, or keeps it all inside (Ephesians 4:26-27).
• This can cause depression and irritability over little things, which are often unrelated to the underlying problem.

How to Handle

Ephesians 4:26‭-‬27‭, ‬29‭-‬32 NIV  26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

We can handle anger biblically by

• recognizing and admitting our prideful anger and/or our wrong handling of anger as sin (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
• This confession should be both to God and to those who have been hurt by our anger. We should not minimize the sin by excusing it or blame-shifting.

We can handle anger biblically by

• seeing God in the trial. This is especially important when people have done something to offend us. James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28-29, and Genesis 50:20 all point to the fact that God is sovereign over every circumstance and person that crosses our path. Nothing happens to us that He does not cause or allow.
• Though God does allow bad things to happen,
• He is always faithful to redeem them for the good of His people. God is a good God (Psalm 145:8, 9, 17).
• Reflecting on this truth until it moves from our heads to our hearts will alter how we react to those who hurt us.

We can handle anger biblically by

• making room for God’s wrath. This is especially important in cases of injustice, when “evil” men abuse “innocent” people. Genesis 50:19 and Romans 12:19 both tell us to not play God. God is righteous and just, and we can trust Him who knows all and sees all to act justly (Genesis 18:25).

We can handle anger biblically by

• returning good for evil (Genesis 50:21; Romans 12:21). This is key to converting our anger into love. As our actions flow from our hearts, so also our hearts can be altered by our actions (Matthew 5:43-48). That is, we can change our feelings toward another by changing how we choose to act toward that person.

We can handle anger biblically by

• communicating to solve the problem. There are four basic rules of communication shared in Ephesians 4:15, 25-32:

Many people think the first step in growing closer to God is reading the Bible or Prayer

Many people think they can create there own standard of Faith. 

• 2 Timothy 3:5 NIV having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Key Thought:

1 John 1 We have seen and proclaim to you the Word of life. God is light. If we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

The Accreditation

Accreditation is the independent, third-party evaluation of a conformity assessment body against recognized standards, conveying formal demonstration of its impartiality and competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks

1 John 1:1‭-‬4 NIV  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

The Message

1 John 1:5‭-‬10 NIV This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Through the Living Word

• Psalms 119:105‭-‬107 NIV  Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.

• Hebrews 4:12‭-‬13 NIV For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

• 2 Corinthians 13:5 NIVExamine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

• 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

We have a Wonderful Counselor

Who will lead you to Avenues of Hope vs Dire Consequences:

• Isaiah 9:6 NIV  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

• John 14:15‭-‬16 NIV “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—

People long for “Happiness”

The Pleasures of Life

We should be looking to fulfil our “Purpose”

The Meaning for Life

• 1 Timothy 6:6‭-‬7 NIV But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

God’s Plan for the Church (The Body)

4 Pillars

• Belonging
  • Part of the Body
  • Romans 12:4‭-‬5 NIV For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
• Purpose
  • Using our Gifts and Abilities
  • Romans 12:6‭-‬8 NIV  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

• Transcendence
  • Allowing the Holy Sprit to be at work
  • Philippians 4:7 NIV  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Storytelling
  • Our Testimony to the world
  • 1 Peter 3:15 NIV But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Made evident by the Fruit of the Spirit

• Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Message

1 Peter 1:17‭-‬23 NIV

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Many people think the first step in growing closer to God is reading the Bible or Prayer

The Bible shows us David.  His separation was a matter of the heart.

We must be willing to allow God to change our hearts

• Jeremiah 17:9‭-‬10 NIV The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
• Zechariah 7:12 NIV They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.

One or more signs of heart problems

• Living in fear
• Absence of joy
• Angry or resentful
• Always blaming others
• Selfish

Reflection: Looking at our pool this morning…

It’s not the water that is the issue,. It is the pollutants that need to be addressed.

The Message

Psalms 51:1‭-‬13 NIVHave mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassionblot out my transgressions.

Too often we are like the Pharisee

• Luke 18:11‭-‬13 NIV The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

The preparation

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

• Leviticus 11:32 NIV When one of them dies and falls on something, that article, whatever its use, will be unclean, whether it is made of wood, cloth, hide or sackcloth. Put it in water; it will be unclean till evening, and then it will be clean.

The Acknowledgement

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

We need the heart of the Prodigal

• Luke 15:18‭, ‬20 NIV I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

His Purpose

6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

• Psalms 139:13‭-‬14‭, ‬16 NIV For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

The Cure

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

• Isaiah 1:18‭-‬19 NIV “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

• Psalms 32:7‭-‬8 NIVYou are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

The Results

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17‭-‬18 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

The Preventative Maintenance

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

• Psalms 34:1‭-‬4 NIV I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

• Psalms 119:11‭, ‬14‭-‬16 NIV I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

The Standard

Romans 12:9‭-‬13 NIV Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Love in Action

Romans 12:14‭-‬21 NIV Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Love’s Response to Conflicts

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

• Philippians 2:5‭-‬8 NIV In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

reconcile • \REK-un-syle\ • verb. 1 a : to restore to friendship or harmony b : to settle or resolve (differences) 2 : to make consistent or congruous 3 : to cause to submit to or accept something unpleasant 4 : to check (a financial account) against another for accuracy.

James 4:1‭-‬3 NIVWhat causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?

2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

2 Corinthians 5:17‭-‬21 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.