Grace Bible Church
Grace Bible Church

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Keep Growing - For the Good Of Others and For the Glory Of God

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Thessalonians: Be Faithful Until Christ Returns
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
Theme: Keep Growing - For the Good Of Others and For the Glory Of God

One: Keep growing - for the good of others.

  • Model a robust confidence in God
  • Model a robust love for others
  • Model a robust endurance in hardships

Two: Keep growing - for the glory of God.

  • Faithfulness is worthy of recognition.
  • Faithfulness is rooted in grace.
  • Faithfulness is cause for praise.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing...and that you are enduring. ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall
The gospel will keep working until Jesus comes again

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Thessalonians
Text: Overview of 1 Thessalonians
Theme: The gospel will keep working until Jesus comes again.

One: Hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ = the purpose, Church, and coming of Jesus.

Two: Hope in the purpose of Jesus Christ.

  • To imitate God; 1:6
  • To walk worthy; 2:12
  • To abound in love; 3:12
  • To be holy; 3:3,7
  • To be alert; 5:6

Three: Hope in the Church of Jesus Christ.

Four: Hope in the coming of Jesus Christ.

  • Jesus is coming back to earth.
  • Until then, believe that the gospel is still turning the world upside-down.
Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall
Forgiveness Q & A

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Various Passages
Theme: Forgiveness Q & A

One: How do I deal with large offenses where forgiveness is never requested?

  • Leave it to God - Romans 12

Two: What if the offender is dead?

  • No one escapes the justice of God. Psalm 58:10-11

Three: What do I do with someone who takes advantage of my obligation to forgive?

  • Expect fruits in keeping with repentance; Luke 3:8

Four: Is God's forgiveness the same in the OT as it is in the NT?

  • Yes. Forgiveness is always granted on the basis of God's promise of the work of Christ.

Five: How should I respond when someone says, "I need to forgive myself"?

  • Steer the focus to understanding how God forgives us in Christ.

Conclusions:

  1. Be ready to forgive. Psalm 86:5
  2. Trust your God.
    a. To do good to you.
    b. To make all things right.
Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall, Forgiveness
In all the offenses we suffer, bitterness is avoidable

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Romans 12:14-21
Theme: In all the offenses we suffer, bitterness is avoidable

How to keep from being bitter toward...the repentant:

One: Keep your promise.

  • Forgiveness = I graciously promise to release from moral liablility the repentant offender for reconciliation.
  • The 3-fold promise.
    • I will not recall this offense to you.
    • I will not recall this offense to others.
    • I will not recall this offense to myself.

How to keep from being bitter toward...the UN-repentant:

Two: Don't seek revenge.

  • Do not repay eveil for evil.
  • Do not avenge yourself.
  • Do not be overcome by evil.

Three: Love your enemies.

  • Maintain honor.
  • Seek peace.
  • Be kind.

Four: Trust your God...

  • ...to care for you.
  • ...to judge your enemies.
Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall, Forgiveness
Justice is Essential to Understanding Forgiveness

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:19
Theme: Justice is Essential to Understanding Forgiveness

One: Justice reflects the character of God.

  • Our reflection of God's justice is marred by sin.
  • God's revelation of justice is revealed in Scripture.

Two: Justice demands more than the common appology.

  • Apologies wander through feelings.
  • Justice addresses the offense.
  • Forgiveness accomplishes reconciliation.

Three: Justice allows for continuing consequences.

  • Forgiveness does not necessarily remove consequences.
  • Consequences do not necessarily communicate continued displeasure.

Four: Justice reveals the sufficiency of Christ.

  • To reveal the true image of God's justice and mercy.
  • To address our offense and reconcile us to God.
  • To remove eternal consequences and give grace for present sorrow.
Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall, Forgiveness
You Must Forgive Others as God Forgave You

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Ephesians 4:32
Theme: You Must Forgive Others as God Forgave You.

One: The Word Meanings of Forgiveness

  • To release
  • To grace

Two: The Divine Example of Forgiveness

  • God graces us with the perfect righteousness of Christ
  • God graces us wiht the substitutionary death of Christ
  • God graces us with the everlasting life of Christ

Three: The Five Elements of Forgiveness

  1. God's forgiveness is marked by grace.
  2. God's forgiveness is marked by promise.
  3. God's forgiveness is marked by release.
  4. God's forgiveness is marked by condition.
  5. God's forgiveness is marked by reconciliation.

Four: The Working Definition of Forgiveness

  • God graciously1 promises2 to release from moral liability3 the repentent sinner4 for reconciliation5.

...forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. ~ Ephesians 4:32

Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall, Forgiveness