12 Mar “Grave or Tree” | North Attleboro & Apollo Beach
Announcements:
IMPORTANT***** Please add
Go to your email, add no-reply@churchcenter.com to your contacts (PLEASE ASK ME IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND) THANKS!
no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and have your members add it as well. This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site.
NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS:
(NEW**) FOSTER FOWARD EASTER BACK PACKS – One of our Action Groups is putting together back packs for children ages 3-12 for easter. We need Easter Candy and small stuffed toys! WE already have Jesus Coloring books and small toys. IF YOU AND YOUR GROUP CAN DONATE EASTER CANDY AND SMALL STUFFED TOYS – PLEASE DROP IN GIVING BOX AT YOUR LOCATION NO LATER THAN MARCH 19! THANKS!
(NEW**) ENGAGE – L&G LOST TREASURE ESCAPE ROOM! APRIL 14! We have a fun night planned for you! Please read the descritpion on the registration for details! Engage is a free event for anyone 36 and over! Bring a friend along too! REGISTER USING LINK BELOW!
ENGAGE L&G LOST TREASURE ESCAPE ROOM REGISTRATION
Epic Egg Drop – April 8, 2023!! You can now register to SERVE at NA’s Epic Egg Drop (AB will have their own registration).
NA EPIC EGG DROP SIGN SERVE TEAM SIGN UP
ALL LOCATIONS
LIFE GROUP LEADER MEETING: MARCH 21 from 6-8:30. Please register yourself, your apprentice and your children. Food and child care provided. NE AND APOLLO BEACH WILL ZOOM IN TOGETHER.
LIFE GROUP LEADER MEETING REG FOR NEW ENGLAND
LIEFE GROUP LEADER MEETING REG FOR APOLLO BEACH
All announcements and the Waters Event Calendar can be found at: waterschurch.org/events
(*NEW SEASON STARTING) Alpha:
◦ Alpha spring series kicks off Thursday, April 27! Alpha at Waters is a 9 week series of conversations for people seeking to learn more about God, those on the fence about faith, or questioning what religion has to do with it all. The purpose is to meet people where they are in a non-threatening environment while enjoying a meal and guided conversation. Please invite your non-believing friends, co-workers and family members! Sign up today @ waterschurch.org/alpha (https://waterschurch.org/alpha)
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
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Key Verse: Mark 11:25-26
Last week’s challenge: What is something you had done this past week to tell someone about Jesus?
Mark 11:25-26
These words are for people like us that already have a relationship with Jesus. The act of forgiveness is one of those things that can make or break as a person. As Christians we all have the gift of salvation, but God commands of us that we forgive others as he forgives us.
Matthew 6:12 ESV
Ice-Breaker:
Q. When you pray the sinners prayer and reach the point of asking God to forgive you as you forgive others, are you just reciting the words or are you actually forgiving someone that has sinned against you?
Pastor Lorenzo explained that over his lifetime he had been betrayed and deeply hurt by people he trusted. Many of us experience betrayal in the form of emotion, psychological or physical abuse from parents, teachers, employers, the church and people who claim to be Christians. These acts of betrayal
Q. Are there any events recently that you can share that have made you feel betrayed or hurt by a source that you would otherwise expect to feel loved and safe with?
What does the Bible teach about forgiveness?
Forgiveness is an important part of a Christian’s faith . The New Testament, especially the teachings of Jesus, emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and encourages Christians to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God. In every case of betrayal and hurt we need to forgive, as God has forgiven us, every person that has done damage, because God commands it. Forgiveness is part of our Christian faith.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches his followers to pray “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12) This verse teaches that just as God has forgiven our sins, we too should forgive others.
Q: What does it mean to you to forgive someone the way God forgives us?
Matthew 18:21-35
Jesus tells a parable of a king who forgave a servant a large debt, but the servant refused to forgive a small debt from another servant. The king was angry and punished the servant for his lack of forgiveness. This parable illustrates how important forgiveness is to God and the consequences of not forgiving others.
In Ephesians 4:32, Paul writes “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” This verse reminds Christians that they have been forgiven by God and they should extend that forgiveness to others. We could take a lifetime to work on the words in this commandment It allows us to live a peaceful life and to live it abundantly as Jesus speaks about.
Additionally, Jesus himself forgave the people who crucified him (Luke 23:34) and told the parable of the prodigal son, where the father forgave his son for wasting his inheritance and welcomed him back with open arms (Luke 15:11-32)
Q: Is there an event in your life that you have received forgiveness, but then were in the position to forgive someone and decided they were unworthy of your forgiveness?
The Bible teaches that forgiveness is not optional for Christians, but rather it is a commandment that is necessary for spiritual growth, as well as living a peaceful and fulfilling life.
Forgiveness is life!
It unlocks freedom and freshness in our spiritual life.
It Introduces His new life into yours.
It enables new power – the Holy Spirit’s power – to flow in and through you.
It allows God’s anointing to flow in your life and circumstances. Walls break down.
It instantly draws you closer to God.
It attracts His presence.
It unleashes revival.
It gives you and me courage to obey because we feel free and feel His pleasure.
It helps you step into God’s calling for your life.
Forgiving is powerful because it means you trust God to help and heal you. You believe there is a better way of living. It’s the Christ-like thing to do. Forgiveness starts as an act of obedience and then grows into a life of love . Because like God, you choose mercy. It’s a powerful act of faith , believing that what God promised is true. Unforgiveness is a slow death , like living in an open grave . You’re alive, but paralyzed, angry, resentful and miserable. Pastor Lorenzo explained that when he was younger, and unsaved, he was filled with unforgiveness and anger. He would tell his father daily that he wished he would die today, believing that he deserved death. He did not realize how damaging his words were to his father.
Q. Do you believe everyone deserves forgiveness? Or do you believe there is a sin that you cannot forgive?
Unforgiveness is an open grave
Hebrews 12:15
Unforgiveness is having negative feelings towards the person who has hurt you.
It manifests in anger. Bitterness. Sarcasm. Impatience. Cynicism. Doubt. Fear. Suspicion. Arrogance. A refusal to grant pardon or amnesty. It can negatively impact both the person who is holding onto the unforgiveness and the person who is being held responsible. If left unresolved, unforgiveness can lead to emotional and psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and can even affect your physical health.
This is a hard truth: at its root, unforgiveness can be pride. “I don’t have to forgive that .. they don’t deserve it”.
Q. Have you ever held on to any of these negative feelings? And if so, how has that affected you?
Unforgiveness always involves three people: the other person, God and me .
You’re saying to the other person – I won’t release you.
You’re saying to God – I won’t obey You.
You’re saying to yourself – I’m going to stay in my prison. No freedom for me. No peace. No joy. But you’re the only one living in the grave; even though it’s open, it’s still a grave.
Forgiveness is a tree of life
Luke 17:3-4
Forgiveness is like a flourishing tree , full of fruit, healthy, growing and providing sustenance to others. Forgiveness is the act of pardoning an offender. It is the process of letting go of anger, resentment, and the desire for revenge towards someone who has wronged you. It involves a decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance towards a person who has hurt you, and to grant them compassion and understanding. This can be a difficult process, but it can also be empowering and lead to personal growth and healing.
Forgiveness also always involves three people: the other person, God and me. You’re saying to the other person: I release you.
You’re saying to God – I believe You and trust You so I choose to obey You.
You’re saying to yourself – I will no longer live in this self-made prison. I choose life and freedom. We are all eating the fruits from the tree of life, sharing the blessing and joy!
Q. Can you think of a time when you withheld forgiveness and it made you feel dead inside and ultimately you obeyed God, forgave the person, and felt the freedom and growth in Jesus through the process?
Jesus Christ is our perfect example of forgiving
In the Garden of Gethsemane: I suspect He was making sure He had forgiven all who had mistreated and betrayed Him.
On the cross: Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing. The ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate forgiveness.
How do You and I forgive someone?
At some point in our lives, we may all have thought that no one could possibly be hurt as badly as we were, no one could understand the depth of betrayal we felt. There is no way you would consider forgiving and don’t even want to. Even if we don’t think others feel this way or can relate to how we feel, be assured, there are far more people that can relate then you will ever realize. But Jesus is freedom and we as Christians can testify to this. Forgiveness attracts the presence and favor of God and give us the courage to move forward in obedience and living a life of love.
Q. Have you ever forgiven someone and felt the weight lifted off of you or the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Here are a few steps that may help you forgive someone:
- Make a decision to forgive: Forgiving someone is a conscious decision that you make. Decide to let go of your negative feelings and to move forward.
- your feelings: It’s important to recognize and acknowledge the hurt and anger you may be feeling. It’s okay to feel these emotions, and it’s important to process them in a healthy way.
- Let go of blame: Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting what happened or excusing the person’s behavior. It means letting go of the blame and resentment you may be feeling.
- Let go of your need for revenge: Holding onto a desire for revenge will only prolong your feelings of hurt and anger.
- Practice empathy: Try to understand the other person’s perspective and feelings. This can help you have compassion for them, which can make it easier to forgive them.
- Talk about it: Communicating with the person you are forgiving can be a helpful step in the forgiveness process. It can give you a chance to express your feelings and to hear the other person’s perspective.
- Take care of yourself: As you work on forgiveness, it’s important to take care of yourself emotionally and physically. This can include things like exercise, spending time with loved ones, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.
- Remember that forgiveness is a process: It may not happen overnight and it’s okay if it takes time.
- God daily for His forgiveness of your sins.
- Do a forgiveness checkup. Every day when you wake up and when you go to sleep. You don’t want to go to sleep with unforgiveness in your heart.
- Be a quick forgiver. And a fast repenter. Give forgiveness when it’s asked for.
- Be a quick repenter – asker of forgiveness.
Remember that you also require forgiveness from those you disappoint, hurt or frustrate. Forgiveness is a process and it may take time. It’s also not always possible or necessary to have a face-to-face conversation or reconciliation with the person who hurt you. It’s also important to remember that forgiving someone does not mean you have to continue to have a relationship with them, or that you have to put yourself in a dangerous or harmful situation. Forgiveness is also not a one time thing, especially when there has been deep hurt.
Challenge: Develop a lifestyle of forgiveness. This week, search your heart, is there someone that you haven’t forgiven? BIG CHALLENGE: Say out loud, I forgive that person (say their name).
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