Series: Forgiven
Message: Can We Forgive and Forget?
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 25:8-14.
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 - Read The Message paraphrase, and note 1-3 insights/questions that arise.
Reflect: Paul’s passion for reconciliation has lingering effects on every area of our lives. Even at verse 11, the opening word, “Therefore,” means that he has said something so powerful, so conclusive that we are compelled to embrace the call from God. So what did he say? In a nutshell, the preceding, verses 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, articulate clearly, we believe in the resurrection, we have this hope, and judgment will usher that reality in. Why is that so important? How is that so compelling? Paul has an encounter with God that cannot be shaken. When he speaks of heaven and the reality of the future world recreated, he speaks as if it has already happened (2 Corinthians 4:18). The powerful group of men and women of faith listed in Hebrews 11, also written by Paul, share the same reality. When Paul refers to the judgment, he does not do so with anxiety or trepidation, rather with incredible excitement and confidence. Jesus is the final judge (Matthew 11:27; John 5:22-27; Acts 17:31; 1 Peter 4:5). Jesus is God, part of the Trinity. Intimately connected to us. Dreamt as part of the Trinity to create humans. Formed Adam and Eve with His own hands. He reduced Himself to live among us, as one of us. He suffered every temptation, as Paul shares in Hebrews 2:14-17, and as Ellen White so eloquently expressed in her little book Confrontation, on page 9,
“It is impossible for man to know the strength of Satan's temptations to the Son of God. Every temptation that seems so afflicting to man in his daily life, so difficult to resist and overcome, was brought to bear upon the Son of God in as much greater degree as His excellence of character was superior to that of fallen man. Christ was tempted in all points like as we are. As man's representative He stood the closest test and proving of God. He met the strongest force of Satan. His most wily temptations Christ has tested and conquered in behalf of man. It is impossible for man to be tempted above what he is able to bear while he relies upon Jesus, the infinite Conqueror.”
Recalibrate:
Respond: Pray for strength.
Research: Read the little book Confrontation by Ellen White.