Week of May 2 Second Chances 5th Sunday of Easter John 8:1-11 Reflections on this week s message: Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:10-11 The woman in the story in John 8 is given a second chance. Caught in adultery, the law prescribed a death sentence. Jesus enemies brought this woman to Him and asked what to do, hoping to trap Him. Jesus easily dispensed with the woman s accusers and gave her a second chance. With the second chance comes a challenge, Go now and leave your life of sin. (NIV) I like the NIV translation of that verse, the KJV, RSV, ASB and others say, Go and sin no more. I understand that it is simply a different way to say essentially the same thing, but I am not capable of sinning no more. I can, however, and in fact did, leave my life of sin. I still fall; I still sometimes give into temptation and lose my way. I do not any longer live a life of sin. When I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive my sins and I invited His Spirit to dwell in my heart, I was changed. I was given a second chance. I laid aside my life of sin and began living a new life as a new creation. (Ref. II Corinthians 5:17) There may be those who accuse me, but in Christ there is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1) and so, I no longer live a life of sin. I still sin and probably will as long as I am walking around in human flesh, but my heart s desire is to live for Jesus. Because of His Mercy and Grace, I have left my life of sin and become new. Look around; there is no one perfect, no one who can cast a stone at you. Jesus does not condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin, live for Him in the power of His Spirit. Love, Pastor Joe Prayer Starter: Getting Started: Grab your bible & journal & find a quiet, comfortable spot to begin your daily Bible reading. You may want to play your favorite hymn or praise music softly in the background. Light a candle & spend a few minutes relaxing, quieting your mind. Keep a notebook nearby to jot down distractions that interfere with your focus to put them out of your mind to deal with later. To prepare to focus on God & His Word, try one of the prayer exercises found under Spiritual Growth Resources. Then pray the suggested prayer starter personalizing it to your needs & desire for God s guidance. This Week's Prayer Starter: Father God, The deeper I dig into your Word, the more in awe I am at the greatness of your love. To think that you care enough to want to change my heart & that you are willing to go to such great lengths to restore me to your grace is beyond my comprehension. Your love, compassion, grace, & mercy are simply amazing. Thank you for sending Jesus to teach me how to live, how to love, and how to forgive. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for not condemning me because of my sin. Thank you for giving me second chances over & over again; far more than I deserve. Come into my heart, Lord, and change me. Make me & mold me to what you would have me be. Fill me with your Spirit, so that I can leave my life of sin to walk in your ways and live for you. Thank you for my new life, Lord! In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord & Savior, I pray. AMEN.
day 1 week of May 2 Read John 8:1-11 How was this situation a trap for Jesus? What did the Pharisees hope their question would accomplish? What comes to your mind when you read Jesus saying, If anyone is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone.? How does Jesus express his care & concern for the transformation of this woman? How does the way Jesus treated this woman help you face your sins? How has Jesus expressed this same measure of love, mercy, & grace towards you? How is Jesus calling us to not throw stones but to encourage one another to sin no more? What do you think Jesus meant when he said, Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.? What about you, have you left your life of sin? Listen to the song Forgiven at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f9z54g30eo. Spend some time reflecting on the gift of mercy and grace that God has given you. Remember that you are a treasure in the arms of Christ! day 2 week of May 2 Read Jonah 3:1 4:11 What comes to your mind as you read how God cared enough to turn around the hearts of the people of Nineveh? What moved God to have compassion toward the people of Nineveh? Why was Jonah angry at God s compassion? When have you tried to limit God s mercy to others? To yourself? What lesson did God teach Jonah through the vine? What evidence do you find in this passage that God is the God of second chances? How does this story remind you of the incredible love God has for his people and the radical extremes He will go to seek out those who are lost and restore them to His grace? When have you felt that God has given you a second chance? What helps you to turn back to God? Pray for those who are lost & living without the hope of Christ. Ask God to show you who & how he wants you to reach out to others.
day 3 week of May 2 Read John 3:16-17 & Romans 8:1-17 Why did God send His Son into the world? What does it mean that God has saved you rather than condemned you? What does it mean to know that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus? What sets you free from the law of sin and death? What is the difference between living by the Spirit and living according to the sinful nature? How do you cultivate a spirit-filled heart & mind in order to live in way that is pleasing to God? What are you doing to nourish your mind spiritually each day? Take responsibility for your spiritual nourishment today: Read your Bible, spend some quiet time with God, get involved in a Bible study or prayer group, memorize a Bible verse. Check out the FLDJ Spiritual Growth Resources for more suggestions (http://fairhopechurch.wordpress.com/spiritual-growth-resources/) & www.myfairhopeumc.net for Bible study opportunities. day 4 week of May 2 Read 1 John 2:28-3:10 What does it mean to be a child of God? What attitudes & actions characterize a child of God? How have you experienced God s lavish love? What reason does verse 8 give for Christ s coming? What destructive habits has Jesus helped you to overcome? What hope do you find in this passage to help you with the sins you continue to struggle with? According to verses 6 & 9, what is necessary to leave a life of sin? What helps you to keep from going astray? What are you doing to keep close to Jesus & live in Him? Today is National Day of Prayer. Pray for our nation today. Consider using 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a basis for your prayer.
day 5 week of May 2 Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Who or what do you live for? How has Jesus changed you? How are you a new creation? Reread verse 17. How does this make you feel about your past life? What does it mean that God does not count your sins against you? Are you walking out your new life in His strength? How does Christ s love compel you to share your faith with others? What holds you back from telling others how Jesus has changed your life? In what ways are you called to be Christ s ambassador? Thank God for the new life He has given you in Christ. Tell someone how Jesus has changed your life. After reflecting & praying through this week s readings & sermon teaching, I feel God is nudging me to take these steps: Dig Deeper: Forgiveness According to Webster s dictionary to forgive means to excuse for a fault or an offense; to renounce anger or resentment against; to absolve from payment; to pardon, pass over, clear, acquit, absolve, cancel, waive. Forgiveness is something that every Christian must practice, but not something that comes easily for most of us. We are called to forgive just as the Lord has forgiven us. Spend some time exploring what the Bible says about forgiveness. As you study, ask God to help you grow in your practice of forgiveness so that you might more fully experience the freedom that comes from living life in Christ. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 Some suggested readings: Genesis 37-50, Joseph s story Psalm 86 Psalm 103 Proverbs 17:9 Micah 7:18-19 Matthew 6:14-15 Matthew 18:21-35 Mark 11:25 Luke 6:27-42 Luke 15:11-32 Luke 17:3-4 Luke 23:34 2 Corinthians 2:7-11 Colossians 3:12-14 1 John 1:9
Family Connection: Bible Adventures The Bible contains some of the greatest adventure stories ever told. As a family spend some time exploring some of these stories by having a Bible Story Adventure Night. Encourage each family member to select a favorite Bible story to share. See how many creative ways you can come up with to share these Bible adventures. Some suggestions include acting out the story, a puppet show, retelling the story in your own words, creating pictures or artwork to retell the story, creating a power point presentation, or even simply reading from a favorite family Bible. You may want to compare the story by reading in different Biblical translations. Try doing some research about the history surrounding the stories and share what life was like for the people portrayed in these stories. Encourage family members to imagine what it would have been like if they had been there. Talk about how God was at work in each story. Ask God to reveal to you what he wants you to learn from these stories. Pray that He will show you how to apply what you are learning to your life today. Mission in Action: Spring 2010 Weed the flower beds of an elderly neighbor. Offer to plant some of their favorite flowers so they can enjoy their beauty this summer. Pray for boldness and courage and then tell someone how Jesus has made a difference in your life. Be a part of your church s VBS ministry. Find out what you can do to help spread the news of Jesus in your community through this ministry. When you see notice your neighbor trimming their shrubs & bushes go help them finish the job. Write an encouraging note to someone who will be working on a mission trip. Pray for them & ask them to share their experience with you when they return. Prayerfully ask God to show you how He wants you to share your financial resources with Him. Take a friend s dog for a walk. Invite someone who lives alone to join you for dinner one night. When your church newsletter arrives in the mail, spend some time praying for each item mentioned. Get in the habit of praying for your church every time you receive something in the mail or through email about your church. Pray for your church leaders as well. Read a Bible story to a child! Pack up a bag of lunch & toiletry items & give them to a family with school-aged children. Write a letter to someone and share how you see God at work in their life. Pray for them as you write. Visit a nursing home and spend some time with some of the residents. Offer to organize an activity for the residents.