The Relationship Choice: 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. Matt. 5:7,9 & Matt. 18:21-22

To view Jason's testimony, please click here.

Jesus was questioned as to why his disciples were not fasting.  The parable illustrates how traditions were not to be straitjackets that hinder us from celebrating sinners' embrace of the good news of God's kingdom (like Matthew in the preceding verses).  What are ways that we may allow traditions overshadow God’s truths?

The Transformation Choice: Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask him to remove my character defects.Matt. 5:6 Rom. 12:1-2

The Housecleaning Choice: I openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. Matt. 5:8 &1 John 1:5-10

The Commitment Choice: consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control. Matt. 5:5 & Romans 6:15-18

The Hope Choice: Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me change. Matt. 5:4 & Phil. 2:12-16 (NLT)

The Reality Choice: Realize I'm not God, admit I'm powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.

As an introduction to this series, we explore the healing model of Jesus in the new testament, using the healing of the paralyzed man in Matthew 9:1-8 as an example of God's grace.