11am Service 25 October 2020
Hi Everyone, here is a brief outline of the sermon we’ll be using in our Wednesday sermon discussion on Zoom.
Dear GCBC Parents:
Our sermon passage this week is from Romans 2:1-16. Russell Kerstetter will bring the message Sunday reminding us that we all sin and need Jesus. I found a great explanation of sin in the children’s book by Marty Machowski called, The Ology. On page 45, he writes:
“To understand sin, you have to remember that God made us to love him above anything else—above family, friends, the things we like to do, and the things we have (or want to get!). Sin is making anything in our lives more important than God. When we do that, we don’t love and worship God as we were made to do. The Bible calls this going our own way.”
The verses chosen for “Digging Deeper” are meant to explore this description of sin. So often our culture emphasises behaviour as being good or bad and right or wrong, but sin is not merely about behaviour. Sin is the desires within us that lead to our behaviour. And as the definition above explains, our desire is for our own way. Thankfully God is “wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient” with us, and it is his kindness that makes us want to turn away from our sin of wanting our own way (Romans 2:4).
So the next time your child misbehaves, explore the deeper reason for his/her actions. Their sinful nature desires their own way, and when they don’t get what they want, they behave poorly. Then remind them of the love of their Father God and that he is patiently waiting for them to respond to his love. Teach them how to ask forgiveness and pray for the Holy Spirit to help them desire to love God more than they love anything else.
God Bless,
Mandy
Sunday, 25th October Links:
Digging Deeper for Children (print the Digging Deeper worksheet or write out the following Scripture passage on your own piece of paper and follow the instructions below; then answer the questions listed after the verses)
- In Romans 2:1 below, circle the words that describes “you” and “they.” (Hint: The first word starts with “b” and the second one with “w.”)
- In Romans 2:4 below, circle the words that describe God. (Hint: The words start with “k,” “t,” and “p.”)
- What do these verses say about us? What do these verses say about God? What does God want us to do?
Romans 2:1, 4 (NLT)
1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.
4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
What do the following verses say about people? What do they say about God?
- Ecclesiastes 7:20 – “Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.”
- Psalm 25:7 –“Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.”
- Isaiah 53:6 – “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.”
- Mark 12:30 – “And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’” [Jesus said this]
Family Links –
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- Book for family reading – The Ology by Marty Machowski
- Book for parents encouraging us to continually teach our children the Gospel instead of only addressing their behaviour – Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson
- Bible Project video great for older children/teens on sin (watch the video for “Khata: ‘Sin’”) – https://bibleproject.com/explore/bad-word-series/