A truthful, wisdom-packed word of encouragement given to our 2019 confirmation students before their first communion.

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Message Notes 

• When you sin or do wrong and you don't get what you deserve, you feel guilty. 
• What do we do when we find ourselves feeling guilty before God? 
• There's a sick part of me that likes when somebody gets what they deserve, except for when it's me. 
• Jesus did not come just to make bad people good. Jesus came to make dead people alive. 

Scripture Readings 
Luke 23:32-35, 39-43, Romans 3:23-26, Ephesians 2:3-9, Psalm 103:10-12 NLT

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Message Notes 

• John 16:22 - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble..." 
• Trouble, Trials and Hardships... 
• Prove your faith 
  • A faith that has been tested is a faith that can be trusted. 
• Prepare you for a purpose 
  • Resistance strengthens your faith. 
  • Could it be that God's preparation comes packaged as pain? 
  • God never wastes your pain. 
• " ... In this world you will have trouble. But tak eheart! I ahve overcome the world." - John 16:33 NIV 

Scripture Readings 
John 16:17-33, I Peter 1:3-9, James 1:2-4, I John 5:4-5 

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Message Notes 

• "I'm really good at finding your sins, and pretty good at covering up my own." 
• Sin promises satisfaction at the cost of disobedience to God, and eventual pain to you. 
• Without a belief in absolute truth, truth is defined by whatever makes me/you happy. 
• The problem is that we think that happiness and holiness are mutually exclusive. 
• Holiness is the pathway to true happiness and joy! 
• What do you do when you know what's right, but you keep doing what's wrong? 
• Every temptation is an invitation to depend on Christ! 

Scripture Readings 
John 8:11, Psalm 16:9-11, I Corinthians 10:1-13, Matthew 7:9-11 

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Message Notes 

• Who does "unforgiveness" hurt? 
  • It hurts God. 
  • It hurts the person who is not forgiving. 
• What do you do when you're hurt, when you're bitter? 
  • You can start by praying for the person who offended you. 
• One day the king came to you and said, "You owe, I'll pay." 
• To forgive someone does not mean to excuse or tolerate wrongdoing. 
• Forgiveness means you give up the right to hurt them back, and you wish them well before God. 
• Forgiveness empowers you to set the prisoner free, and you realize the prisoner was you. 

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