CELEBRATE RECOVERY Lesson – Grace Principal 6: Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others. “Happy are the merciful. Happy are the peacemakers.” Matthew 5:7. 5:9 Step 9: We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you; leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 REMEMBER: We’re going to continue evaluating relationships. - As we grow as Believers and grow in our recovery, we want to model the teachings and ways of Jesus Christ. We want to become more like Him. To implement Principle 6 to the best of our ability, we need to learn to model God’s grace. BUT HOW? 2 Corinthians 12:9 – But God said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me. For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.” Definitions of GRACE: 1. Receiving a free gift I don’t deserve. 2. God’s CRAZY LOVE for me! 3. Taking the unforgivable and making it forgivable. G – God’s gift Grace is a gift. It cannot be bought. It is FREELY given by God to you and me. Romans 3:24 – “All need to be made right with God by His grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ.” Your relationship with God is not dependent on being perfect. It is built on Grace. The Shepherd gives the strength to make the amends and offer the forgiveness required by Principle 6. R – Receive by our faith You cannot earn your way to heaven. Only by receiving the gift of salvation through faith are we saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 “ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” WE tend to be more interested in what we do. GOD is more interested in what we are. But be careful to match your WALK with your TALK. WE LEARN IN RECOVERY, TO MODEL GOD’S GRACE TO OTHERS, AS WE WORK OUR STEPS. A – Accepted by God’s love We are accepted by God just as we are…. Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I don’t deserve God’s love but the good news is He accepts me in spite of myself. Colossians 3:13 – Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember; The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. C – Christ paid the price He paid the price for ALL sin. He paid the price for ALL wrongs. Mine. Yours. When we accept Christ’s work on the cross we are made into a new creation. Ephesians 1:7 – In Christ we are set free by the blood of his death, and so we have forgiveness of sins. How rich is God’s grace. E – Everlasting gift Once we accept Jesus Christ and His payment for our sins. God’s gift of grace is FOREVER. Once you have completed Step 9, you will know a new freedom and a new happiness…. You will comprehend the word “serenity” and know peace… You will suddenly realize that God is doing for you what you could not do for yourself. We stand before one another a product of God’s grace. Everyone here who has let Christ into their life is also a product of God’s grace. Colossians 1:6 – All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all it truth. Extending GRACE is all about forgiving. Forgiving ourselves and forgiving God. We will continue on this subject more this month as we continue learning about Step 8/Principle 6. But, here are some thoughts for you about forgiving: FORGIVENESS is NOT approving. FORGIVENESS is NOT diminishing or minimizing. FORGIVENESS is NOT shrugging it off, forgetting or saying it didn’t happen. FORGIVENESS is NOT dependant on an apology. FORGIVENESS is NOT trusting the other person. FORGIVENESS is NOT reconciliation. It takes two to reconcile; it only takes one to forgive. If we look at forgiveness with a legal metaphor, consider these three steps for forgiveness: 1. Charge the defendant. 2. Drop the charges. (See Matthew 11:25) 3. Dismiss the case. Done. Remember: WHAT WE FAIL TO FORGIVE, WE TEND TO REPEAT. Bless you Friends. Forgiven much, I am; love much, I do. Deb Williams Celebrate Recovery & Support Ministries @ Village View Church 352-307-7303 dwilliams@villageviewchurch CELEBRATE RECOVERY • No hurt is beyond healing. • No hang-up is beyond hope. • No habit is beyond help. Freedom is possible. CHANGED LIVES / CHANGING LIVES Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Village View Community Church
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 00:14:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015