Sunday, June 23, 2019
Topic: Confession
Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12 (Pew Bible Page #448)
Message Summary:
Aura may be “The Home Church You Have Been Looking For!” Hello, I am Dr. Jeff and I want to invite you join us as we explore the powerful truths of the Bible and apply them to our lives. John Newton captured the indescribable joy of new life in Christ as few others have— “I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.” Although the words in his all-time classic hymn, “Amazing Grace,” were penned 240 years ago, even today they point to the true ecstasy that spiritual transformation brings. Yet, despite the deep inner joy that comes with a genuine encounter with Christ, living in a fallen world is not easy and wrestling negative aspects of our old nature can be even more difficult. For instance, in our human pride it can be tough to admit wrongdoing and to apologize when we have injured or hurt some. The good news is that spiritual growth and more enjoyable relationships are possible despite the natural tendency to deny and hide our flaws. Spiritual and relational growth are within our grasp when we are willing to do the difficult task of recognizing when we have fallen short, admitting the same before God, and then genuinely apologizing in order to restore peace and harmony. Join with me on Sunday as I use the church’s apology to Galileo, albeit 350 years late, as a humorous way to look at our own reluctance to confess in light of God’s call to a life of humility and reconciliation.