Jesus calls us to extend grace in the form of forgiveness to those who sin against us.

Jesus also calls us to extend grace in the form of redemptive confrontation:

 - to confront privately, to explain the offence

 - if this fails, to try again with one or two others

 - if this fails, to try again with the voice of the church.

Forgiveness does not make the sin OK - the sin needs to be dealt with so that we can live in freedom.

Matthew 18:32-35, Matthew 6:12, Matthew 18:15-18

The grace of God is truly amazing!

We are saved by this amazing grace - and we can continue to live in this amazing grace!

This amazing grace gives us the privilege of sharing in the ministry of Jesus - and of extending his grace to those around us.

Let's receive the grace of God, live in the grace of God, and share the grace of God with others!

Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 18:21-35, 1 John 1:9

Jesus is the true light of the world. When we follow Jesus, we "walk in the light", we "have the light of life", we see the truth (often revealed through the Bible), and we become part of the Kingdom of light.

When we have his light, we bring light to others. Our good deeds give light to people & glory to Jesus!

Drawing near to Jesus also draws us near to other disciples.

John 1:6-9, John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16, 1 John 1:5-8, Colossians 1:12-14, 1 Peter 2:9-10

As a follower of Jesus, I can be secure - even in an age of insecurity!

- I am absolutely secure in God's grip - no one can snatch me from his mighty hand!

- I am perfectly capable of falling - but God is perfectly capable of holding me up!

- I will be exposed to temptations, but God has made sure that I can resist them and escape them! 

- Even when I do sin, as I confess my sins he forgives me and washes me clean again!

- Even though I am weak, the power of God works in me - so that I can do great things for him!

John 10:27-30, Colossians 1:13-14, Jude 1:24-25, Romans 14:4, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 John 1:8-9, 1 Corinthians 1:27-2:5, Ephesians 3:20-21

Abraham is famous as a man of faith, but his faith was powerfully demonstrated by his obedience. When his faith was weak, he was disobedient, but when his faith was strong, he was obedient.

In the end, his faith and obedience were wonderfully rewarded as God fulfilled some wonderful promises - truly, the  life that is obedient to God is a blessed life!

Genesis 11:31, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Genesis 12:2-4, Matthew 16:24-25, Isaiah 55:8-9, Genesis 17:1, Genesis 12:13, Genesis 22:1-14

Jesus came to earth on a mission to seek and save the lost - all over the world. Many tried to stop him - but no one could. And no one can stop him now!

And we are all invited to be a part of his unstoppable mission! Let's join him in this mission - the most glorious mission of all!

Matthew 2:1-16, Matthew 4:1-11, John 9:22, John 12:42-43, Matthew 26:59-61, Luke 23:1-2, Mark 15:25-37, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 9:1-6

If we want to fulfil the call of God, we must be prepared for him to test and develop our character.

1. His vision was misunderstood and rejected.

2. He experienced painful events that seemed to contradict his vision.

3. He experienced great injustice.

4. He experienced great disappointment and a long delay.

5. He had the opportunity to punish those who hurt him, but forgave them.

Psalm 105:17-22, Genesis 37:5-10, 18-20, 25-27, Genesis 39:1-20, 1 Peter 4:16-19, Genesis 39:20-23, Genesis 40:23, Genesis 41:39-41, Genesis 50:18-21

The early Church gives us simple, effective examples about prayer and devotion that can still be practised today by the church. They prayed for power, they prayed for help, they prayed regularly and consistently.

We would do well to follow their example and to be deliberate in setting aside a regular "devotional time"!

Luke 24:46-53, Acts 1:8-9,14, Acts 2:42, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Colossians 4:2, Acts 12:1-5, Psalm 5:3, Psalm 59:16

The miracle of Jonah surviving at sea points us to the miracle of Jesus' death and resurrection. It also teaches us that:

- You can't run away from God!

- You can't stop the sovereign will of God!

- Selfishness can keep us from obeying God.

- God loves even the worst sinners.

Jonah 1-4, Matthew 12:38-40, Romans 10:13-15, Matthew 16:18, Matthew 16:24, 1 Timothy 1:15

Jesus taught that the end of this age will be "just as it was in the days of Noah". People will be living their lives just as they please, assuming that "life will always go on, not believing the warnings of coming judgement - but Jesus will return and all will be judged

Jesus has offered to rescue us - but we have to believe him to be rescued! There is still time to "board the ark" that is Jesus, so let's urge people to believe and "come aboard"!

Luke 17:26-27, Genesis 6:1-11 & 7:6-16, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Hebrews 11:7, John 18:38, Romans 10:13, John 10:9, 2 Peter 3:3-12, Matthew 24:36