From: Dr. Randy L. Rowland [rlrowland@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 7:45 PM To: Dr. Randy L. Rowland Subject: Weekly Words From Randoon ... 4/22/2007 Welcome one and All! NEWS FROM SANCTUARY – Attendance: 101 Kids: 8 Offering: $1,625 Next Sunday – Class on Money with Kathy Pritchard continues after Service. Small Groups are Always Forming. Contact Pete Armstrong parmstrong@sanctuarycrc.org Community Dinner @ The Green Bean: May 14th 6:30pm Looking for ways to plug into ministry in Greenwood and beyond: contact Ben bkatt@gmail.com PRAYER - God, we thank you that financial resources were supplied for Thomas and Lorrie’s defense. Guard them body, soul and spirit as they remain in Vista correctional center in San Diego. Lord, we thank you for all those who continue to celebrate sobriety from addictions. Jesus, be with the family of the 26 year old woman from our community who was killed by an out of control car yesterday. Especially be with Meghan, Holly and Lisa who were dear friends with her. Christ, bring peace on earth and heal Iraq. Holy Spirit, guide all those who are seeking jobs, especially one young attorney and one young transportation expert. Father, be near to those who mourn losses – be they fresh or more distant, especially comfort Lisa in the loss of her dad and Elizabeth in the loss of her friend. REFLECTIONS – on “Forgive me.” 1 John 1:5-2:6 God, please forgive me. The Principle of “Walking in the Light”…from the Apostle John, now an old man living in exile on an island off the coast of Turkey and Greece. It’s Philosophical, profound, practical and powerful. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all a sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for b the sins of the whole world. 3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love c is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. John’s Message for us leverages off of the use of Darkness and Light. This was well used terminology in 1st Century Greco-Roman culture. Light= Illumination for path = Does this take you safely where you really want to go in life? Is this the behavior or behaviors you want everyone else, including your Grandma to see. Purity, “the way it ought to be” – does this honor God and create a good society? Darkness= Secretive…helps me or fulfills some need, but is not good in the long run or for the greater good. Treacherous… Could lead to disaster. Driving without headlights. Impure…vandalizes Shalom This passage in 1 John helps us see that when we receive the “light” god offers us to walk in, we have : FELLOWSHIP (Authentic Relationships) with each other. JESUS life/death/resurrection are working full force upon us. Things get practical in vs 8-10 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. Walking in the LIGHT is all about our response to SIN in our lives. If we practice denial of Sin we enter into self-deception – road to ruin. We also wind up calling God a liar- blasphemy. We adopt a world where there is an ABSENCE OF TRUTH. On the other hand, Confession ensures us of God’s active presence, God’s faithfulness to meet us and tenderly release us. And, God exercises his justice by absolving us. God’s spirit is actively at work in us purifying us from ALL THAT IS NOT RIGHT and moving us toward a more “illuminated” pathway. This entire process of walking in the light by confessing sin and receiving forgiveness and purification is all part of a very critical cycle in spiritual life, social life and the renewal of all Creation. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for b the sins of the whole world. Our confession of sin, keeps us in a regular practice of seeking forgiveness of our sins. And, it makes us very aware of the sins of others and their need for GOD’s FORGIVENESS and THEY NEED OUR FORGIVENESS when they have sinned against us. AND, the world needs to see our MODEL of being able to be WRONG and yet be made RIGHT… and here’s some practical tips on how we get to that Conviction & Godly Sorrow… That Stirring Deep Within, Dissonance, Disorder, Dissatisfaction, Anxiousness, guilt and sadness for what we have done. Personal Confession before God. Following the Apostle John’s pattern of re-entering the light and disavowing allegiance to the powers of darkness. Can be very emotional, can be very transactional. But, it must take place. Confessing to Another Confidant (when/why) -- When the Spirit leads us --- When we need resources for help/accountability/counsel When Others Call Us Out on our sin: First be careful to discern the truth. My friend , Doug Burleigh often says, “Your accusers are the only ones that will tell you the truth.” Listen to them and often learn. And, then there are times when others get in our face that they are not on the mark, whether they are well meaning or not. I remember one time on the phone with Bruce Larson after talking to him about an accusation about me, “THAT’S ABSOLUTELY TRUE AND THAT’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU.” Yet, another friend is wonderfully practical. “Randy, what are you hearing in this that you can work with???” When Dealing with Our Patterns of Nagging/Persistent Sin. Don’t let shame kick in and have you give up on yourself. No way. Keep confessing and keep receiving forgiveness, even when you cannot beat something. This is the practice of Spiritual Hygiene. There are things that haunt us like the fact that my propensity toward ANXIETY SINS AGAINST OTHERS. Do I stop seeking forgiveness? Heavens no! “If we say we have no sin we call God a liar”, but if we say we are not Forgiven “we call God a liar.” We ask God to forgive us ONE TIME ONLY. But, we ask God to give us the grace to make progress, to forgive ourselves, make things right, etc. again and again and again and again. BUT…DON’T STOP APPROPRIATING FORGIVENESS. NOW>>>>>>>>>> get set for some really, really good news: 1 Timothy 1: 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV) 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Make it a Great and Grace-filled week! Much Love, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------