Trinity Fellowship

Forgiveness is "A commitment by the offended to pardon graciously the repentant from moral liability, and to be reconciled to that person." When we are reminded of the overwhelming, impossible, and infinite debt that God has pardoned for us, the only fitting response is for us to stand ready to forgive others and be reconciled to them when they repent of their sins against us. Even if they don't come, and reconciliation isn't possible, we must still put aside all bitterness. Hanging on to bitterness, demanding justice for others after we have been shown mercy, and refusing to take back a returning sinner shows a rottenness in our hearts. Hanging on to unforgiveness closes the gates of God's forgiveness on ourselves. May our hearts be as ready to forgive as they are to beat. Forgiven people are forgiving people.

Christ has been preaching about His concern for the little ones in Matthew 18. He has just told us how the Shepherd is so concerned for one straying sheep that He will leave the ninety-nine to go pursue it. That is what church discipline is – the Shepherd's heart to correct and restore the straying one. God's way of achieving restoration runs contrary to the sentimental and therapeutic sensibilities of our age. But it is Christ, not man, who is building His church, so we must follow the instructions we are given instead of presume to create our own. We have seen a concern for correction but also for gentleness. There are steps of increasing seriousness as open sin is rooted from the camp, but each step is committed to using as little force as possible. The need to increase the pressure lies with the offender and not the offended; impenitence leads to further measures but softness of heart and repentance leads to restoration and reconciliation. The charge for each one of us is to have the gracious courage to live up to Jesus's words. Let us not presume to be sheep who are wiser than the Shepherd. Let us have the grace and humility to always deal seriously, yet graciously with straying brothers and sisters. And may it always be done with restoration as the purpose. Christ will bind us together as we work for the good of His people and the glory of His name.

In this passage , Paul uses an analogy between Adam and Christ but it is an analogy of contrast. The only parallel is both men were federal heads, or representatives for the human race. In this, Adam was a type of Christ. Adam failed in his obedience, leaving his posterity under the curse of death. Thankfully , Christ broke the curse of death when he fulfilled complete obedience including his shed blood for our sin. Therefore, all who put their trust in him and his redemptive work, have conquered death, and have victory over death through him.

Good Friday Service

We've been reminded today that we are all little ones in God's pasture. We are all there by grace and not by merit. There is no room for pride or vanity among the people of God, as even the angels and their mission remind us. The sheep may struggle and go astray, which is why shepherds are given to pursue and bring back. Part of their work involves temporarily leaving the ninety nine to pursue the one, but the mission is always rescue and restoration. We are all sheep in God's pasture, and many of us are also shepherds in some capacity or another, so the charge is this – if you are a struggling sheep, call for help. Have the humility to receive. If you are a shepherd, be on the lookout for the struggling sheep, and pursue them. All of this happens under the care of the Great Shepherd, and He is happy to supply us with the humility to call, and with the perseverance to pursue and rescue. He wills that none of His little ones should perish.

Christ has forced us to face the woe of a fallen world, weighed down by the curse of sin. He pronounces woe not just to the world generally, but to each individual who refuses to fight temptation. We are better off having eyes, hands, and feet cut off than being thrown into the eternal fire of hell. The old covenant cutting ceremonies pointed God's people to this reality, and the new covenant fulfillment delivers the substance to us. If we are in Christ, the old members have been cut off. If we are in Christ, we are a new creation with a newfound desire for holiness. Holiness is not easy. Holiness does not come naturally. But holiness is worth the fight. So the charge is this – heaven has already declared you holy. Now become what you are. Holiness is life. Holiness is joy. Holiness is glory.