Sharing Love and Forgiveness

March 14, 2014

Opening Hymns:
348 Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh348.sht

Scripture Reading:
John 3:1-17
3:1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.

3:2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."

3:3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."

3:4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?"

3:5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

3:6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

3:7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.'

3:8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

3:9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"

3:10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

3:11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.

3:12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

3:15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

3:17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Message:

This is one of my favorite scriptures, because it shows in full the hope that Jesus Christ brings to us through His love and His sacrifice. The last verse of today’s scripture reads “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him”; however, it is amazing to me how we as Christians can sometimes make non-Christians feel condemned. Even as we look on from each denomination we can see fellow Christians teaching about how their religion holds the only truth, and all others are condemned.

How can we, as followers of Christ, bring these words of hope to those who need to hear? How can we teach people about God’s love in a way that they feel forgiven and accepted? When I ponder these questions, the answer that comes back is always, “love them as God has loved you”. Showing love, kindness and forgiveness to others is a wonderful start in sharing God’s love.

Time of Prayer

Dear Lord, You hold all the answers, and You have all the truth. Forgive us when we judge others here on earth. Give us hearts for forgiving. Give us the strength to show Your love to everyone we meet. Please forgive us our sins, and help us forgive the sins of others. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
110 A Mighty Fortress is Our God http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh110.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God