“Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
Ahoy Church,
As we begin our weekly gatherings for 2025, we are exploring one of the least-surprising, but hardest-to-obey commands of Jesus, forgiving those who sin against us.
However, I’m glad for this command not just to stretch me into the person I desire and am designed to be! I’m stoked because the discussion within which Jesus taught this type of forgiveness is ground in “real life”.
In our culture, most of us can accept that forgiveness is the ideal, moral guide for us all - especially with our family and friends. However, in the day-to-day grind of relationships and family we become like this man who queries whether we have to forgive serial offenders! This is exactly the right, honest question he asks on our behalf.
Surely we shouldn’t have to keep forgiving someone who continually sins against us?
Jesus responds my providing a clear answer and a detailed story to outline not only his expectation for us, but the consequences of our obedience to him.
In short, we are to offer the forgiveness that Jesus offers to us.
We are, no matter how good our intentions, serial offenders ourselves. Like all children, we rebel against our Father’s laws for life and love. As he continues to forgive our sin, we are to forgive others.
In fact, if we are unwilling to forgive those around us - including serial offenders - we have not comprehended what Christ has offered us. In other words, we actually do not understand, or have not submitted our lives to, the Good New of Jesus Christ!
As we begin another year of blessing, may we both savour and scatter the gospel of Jesus Christ - that by him we are forgiven once-for-all, forevermore.
Cheers, God Bless and see you Sunday!
Blokes, Bonfire + Bible
Missing everyone? Join us at Jesse's house for a fireside kick of the footy, chat and a laugh. Men, young and old are welcome!
Day/Time: Sat 11th Jan, arrive anytime from 430pm.
Contact: Jesse Mannix, 0423 050 192
Address: 286 North Maleny Road
Coming Up
January
Sat 11 Jan 430pm Bonfire - 286 North Maleny Road
Sun 12 Jan 4pm Moffat Gathering Sun 19 Jan 4pm Moffat Gathering Sun 26 Jan 4pm Moffat Gathering
February
Sun 02 Feb Worship Gathering at Maleny
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $10,658 Last month's expenses: $10,779
Balance: $81,169
Giving Kitty Oct 23- Dec 24: $5,000
Giving out Oct 23-Dec 24: $6,586
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
All Prayer Needs!
We are still encouraging each other to start sharing your prayer needs with the church. It’s a practice all Christians have sought to cultivate and one that every single individual and family really needs!
So, please share any needs in your life on the link below so we can pray for and followup with you as time goes by: https://forms.gle/PbQAVjjMLuD4ASmWA
Find more prayer resources and the above prayer link at https://www.openroad.church/prayer/
Good or God
Got a "good story" or a "God story"? Bring it with you on Sunday and share it with others, even with the whole group, if it's brief and encouraging!
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