Category Archives: Forgiveness

Songs for Sunday, January 12, 2025 @ Christ Community Church

Sunday’s coming, and I’m excited!

When I say that, I’m not talking about some sort or religious obligation for attending church or anything like that. My mind is drawn to my need for Jesus and the fact that He would deign to accept one like me.

There were times in my life when thinking of Sunday was more religious than relationship, but the older I get and the more I think about all that Jesus has done (and is doing and will do), the more I think of Sunday like the imagery in Hebrews 4:14-16.

The writer of Hebrews begins this section talking about Jesus as the “great high priest”. That phrase can definitely be acquainted with religious ideas and temple life and sacrifices, but Jesus is something different.

High priests are typically “chosen from among men” and “appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God” (Hebrews 5:1). Jesus is different. He is God become man to be the sacrifice for men to be able to come to God.

High priests would typically need to “offer sacrifice” for their own sins “fust as [they do] for those of the people” (Hebrews 5:3). Jesus is different. He has no sins to sacrifice for because He “has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). He is the Lamb of God bearing our sin.

High priests worked and worked and worked on behalf of the people before God, but all of their work was just a shadow of what was to come. Jesus is different. Jesus is all substance, and no shadow, being Himself “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:9-10).

Because Jesus is different, we are not limited to showing up for some religious observances over and over again, dwelling only in the suburbs of God’s grace and partaking only of shadows. Because Jesus is our high priest, He has made a way for us not just to be in relation to God but for us to be able to approach Him — to go directly to “the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16).

For those bringing their animals for the high priest to slaughter and make atonement for their sins, the idea of approaching God’s throne would be a frightening thing. Think of Isaiah’s “woe is me” talk when he had a vision of the holy, holy, holy God seated on His throne; he knew he was unclean and unworthy to look upon “the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:1-5)! The King of kings seated on the throne is still holy, holy, holy and we are still sinners. the King of kings seated on the throne is the divine word who discerns “the thoughts and intentions” of our hearts, laying us bare — “naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Yes, Jesus is the King of kings.

Yes, Jesus is holy, holy, holy.

Yes, Jesus is Lord.

No, we are not any of those things and neither worthy nor holy. We are not God, and most of us could not stand even alongside Isaiah to state our “woe” in God’s presence. But Jesus is also our high priest! He has made atonement for our sins! He has made a way for us to come before Him (John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:1-2)!

This is why the imagery of Hebrews 4:14-16 is so heavy on my mind. I have the opportunity and privilege to approach the throne of grace in my time of need. Because I have confessed Jesus as Lord and believed upon Him — but my trust in Him to save me, I have assurance to be able to approach Him without fear of death and punishment because He Himself has “bore [my] sins in His body on the tree, that [I] might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). I don’t have to say “woe is me” because He put Himself through woes on my behalf.

Because of this, I can approach His throne with the confidence of a child waking a parent in the middle of the night for a drink of water. I can turn to Him with the assurance that I not only may approach Him for help but be confident that I will “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

That’s good news!

But it’s not just good news for me. It is good news for all who trust in Him, all who are saved by grace through faith in Him.

So, Sunday’s coming, and we have the opportunity to gather together on the first day of the week — the Lord’s day — and remember His death, burial, and resurrection. We have the opportunity to gather with brothers and sisters who have been saved by grace through faith and approach the throne of our Lord together, confident that His grace and mercy are enough, sufficient, and eternally flowing toward those He loves.

If this doesn’t describe you, know that there is good news and grace enough for you, too. Your sin can be forgiven. You can be saved. There is grace enough and room enough and good news enough for you and all who call on His name.

You won’t find anything relgiously impressive. You won’t find impressive priests or practices. You won’t find perfect people. You will find a bunch of sinners — and hypocrites — whose only hope is Jesus. He is who will will read about. He is who we will sing about. He is who we will preach about. And that’s because He’s our only hope. He’s our King. He’s our God. He made a way for us and there is no place we’d rather be than gathered around His throne in a small picture of how we will get to be when this world passes away and He gathers His people to Himself.

Won’t you join us?

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

4We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like His. 6We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7For one who has died has been set free from sin.

I’m Thankful to Jesus for Being My Advocate — Gratitude & Hope Challenge | November 22

I’m thankful to Jesus for being my Advocate!

I touched on the subject of Jesus as our Advocate in the last entry in the #DailyWisdomChallenge, so I guess this has been on my mind and heart for a few weeks now.

Sin brings guilt, shame, and condemnation. our enemy, Satan, is quick to accuse us, pointing out our failures and declaring us unworthy before God (Revelation 12:10). But in 1 John 2:1-2, we are reminded of the incredible hope we have in Jesus as our Advocate. An advocate is someone who pleads on behalf of another, and Jesus does this perfectly for us. When we sin, He intercedes for us before the Father — not by minimizing our sin but by pointing to His finished work on the cross!

Jesus is described as “the righteous”, the One who lived a sinless life and was perfectly obedient to the Father. Because of His righteousness, He could offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. John tells us that Jesus is the “propitiation for our sins” — a wrath-bearing atonement. On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the punish our sins deserved, fully satisfying God’s justice and turning away His righteous wrath (Romans 3:25-26). His blood covers us, and through Him, we are forgiven and cleansed (1 John 1:7).

Now, when God looks at us, He sees us through the righteousness of His Son. Jesus speaks on our behalf, declaring that our debt has been paid in full and that we belong to Him. Because of Jesus, God does not deal with us according to our sin but according to His grace and mercy (Psalm 103:10-12).

Today, I am thankful that I don’t have to stand before God in my own strength or righteousness. When I fail, Jesus is my Advocate, reminding me that my sin has been dealt with once and for all.

If you are in Christ, this is true for you, too. Let this truth silence the voice of guilt and shame — the voice of our accuser, and fill your heart with gratitude to the Savior who stood in our place.

If you are not in Christ, understand that you stand before God as judge and represent yourself. There’s more than enough evidence of our sin to convict. Turn your life over to Jesus, confess Him as Lord and put your trust in Him. He will save all who call on Him (Romans 10:9-10, 13)!

That’s good news!

All through the month of November, our Christ Community Church family is focusing on what we are thankful for and expressing our thanks to our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:13-14).

This, like the #DailyWisdomChallenge we went through in October, is a challenge from our pastor John Goldwater — the #GRATITUDEandHOPEchallenge — where we have the opportunity to post Bible passages that move us to thanksgiving or in which we find hope. May this lead you to be grateful and find your hope in Jesus!

I’m Thankful Evil Meant Against Me Can Be Turned for Good — Gratitude & Hope Challenge | November 21

I’m thankful evil meant against me can be turned for good!

Joseph’s story is one of God’s sovereign grace working through even the darkest circumstances. As a young man, Joseph was betrayed by his brothers who sold him into slavery out of jealousy (Genesis 37:28). He was taken to Egypt where he endured years of hardship, including false accusations and imprisonment (Genesis 39:20). Yet, through it all, God was with him, blessing him with favor and wisdom.

This is not a health, wealth, prosperity gospel sort of story. Joseph was a slave and a prisoner through all of this blessing. No, this is God blessing Joseph despite the circumstances his brothers and Potiphar’s wife put him in. Over time, because of God blessing, Joseph rose to a position of great power in Egypt, ultimately saving countless lives — including his own family — by preparing for a severe famine (Genesis 41:39-41, 45:5-7).

When Joseph’s brothers feared his vengeance after their father’s death, Joseph responded with mercy and a profound trust in God’s purposes. He acknowledged the evil intent behind their actions but pointed to God’s greater plan: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” What his brothers intended for harm, God used to save lives and fulfill His promises.

This truth reminds us that God is sovereign over every situation. Even when others act with malice, God can take what is meant for evil and use it to accomplish His good purposes (Romans 8:28). Joseph’s story points us to the ultimate example of this: Jesus. The cross, intended as a tool of destruction, death, and shame, was the means of salvation for all who trust in Him (Acts 2:23-24).

Today, I’m thankful for a God who is always at work, even in the most painful and unjust situations. He is faithful to bring good from what seems hopeless. How might God be using the challenges in your life to accomplish His purposes, both for your good and His glory?

Trust Him. He’s got a plan for your life (and your troubles)!

Lord, thank you for taking care of us even when others mean us harm. Thank you for the example of Your working in Joseph’s life and the reminder You gave us in Your Word of Your faithfulness. Help us to see that this is not a story of how to get blessed but a means for us to give You glory with our lives. Help us to be like Joseph and look to You in times of hardship and then respond to those who did us wrong like Joseph did — like You did on the cross when You asked the Father to forgive them. Amen.

All through the month of November, our Christ Community Church family is focusing on what we are thankful for and expressing our thanks to our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:13-14).

This, like the #DailyWisdomChallenge we went through in October, is a challenge from our pastor John Goldwater — the #GRATITUDEandHOPEchallenge — where we have the opportunity to post Bible passages that move us to thanksgiving or in which we find hope. May this lead you to be grateful and find your hope in Jesus!