Week 4 , 16 May 2010 : Loving Is Forgiving

Week 4 , 16 May 2010

SERMON TOPIC: Loving Is Forgiving
Scripture Reference: Luke 7: 36-50

The last days are lawless days. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. (Matthew 24:1) With this reality in mind, living a life of love and forgiveness becomes a journey of faith. It is a personal journey and commitment to obey God’s call to love; no one can do it for us, just like Jesus who had to personally obey the Father and go through his journey on earth to bring reconciliation between God and man.

We are a forgiven people

We are a distinctive people, a peculiar people. The distinctiveness of Christianity, which sets it apart from other religions, is essentially forgiveness. We are a forgiven people. We are a people loved by God. John 3:16 says:"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God loved us so much that He was willing to forgive us and pay the price for our sins by sending His son to die for us on the cross. Jesus’ work on the cross was finished when He conquered death and rose to life again. If we seek God earnestly, He will forgive us.

In Luke 7:36-50, Jesus asked Simon the Pharisee and the host of the party:“Do you see this woman?” Most of us see others through Simon’s eyes. We look at people with eyes of prejudice: We ask, are they worthy to touch Jesus? Being a Pharisee, Simon knew the things of God, yet he judged the woman and viewed her as a filthy woman who had come to his party uninvited and one who wasted expensive perfume.

On the other hand, Jesus saw in the woman a soul desperately in need of God’s love and forgiveness. Jesus pointed out the differences between Simon and the woman: Simon did not give Jesus any water for his feet, but the woman wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Simon did not give Jesus a kiss, but the woman kept kissing his feet. Simon did not put oil on Jesus’ head, but the woman had poured expensive perfume on his feet.

Therefore Jesus directed Simon to the parable of two debtors in Luke 7:41-43. Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled both their debts. However, one was more grateful to the moneylender - the one who had the bigger debt cancelled.

Jesus drew a conclusion from the parable - the woman’s many sins had been forgiven—for she loved much. Her adoration and extravagance towards Jesus were commendable. Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:50)

Only those who realise the depth of their sin can appreciate the complete forgiveness of God. It is the grateful woman of little propriety, and not the stingy religious leader, whose sins were forgiven. The woman’s act showed her true faith and Jesus honoured her faith.

We are to be a forgiving people

John 15:10 says: If we obey Jesus, we are to remain in His love. We are to love one another just as God loves us.

We have five significant relations to extend our love and forgiveness to:

• Our mother, our child
• Our spouse
• Our siblings
• Our best friends
• The authority figures in our lives

The key to forgiving others is recognising that God is the one who will enable us. Jesus asked his panic-stricken disciples in the midst of a stormy boat ride:“Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:23) When love is being challenged in difficult times, let us place our faith in God, that He will help us to love and be more like Jesus. Here is a simple way of remembering how to guard our hearts in Christ Jesus:

A – Acknowledge God.
B – Believe that God will provide.
C – Cancel all debt.
D – Deal with your heart.

In conclusion, this world is not our own; we are just passing through. While we live here, let us be confident that change is on the way, with God’s help. With His love, strength and power, we are able to love and forgive one another, just as Jesus as done so for us.

By Mrs Joyce Ewing-Chow

Mrs Joyce Ewing-Chow is the wife of Rev Timothy Ewing-Chow, an ordained priest in the Anglican Diocese of Singapore. They are currently worshipping at the Westside Anglican Church, where Rev Timothy serves as the Priest-in-Charge. Joyce has authored a book,‘Dancing through the Seasons - A Journey of Healing for Women.’

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Week 4 , 16 May 2010 SERMON TOPIC: Loving Is Forgiving Scripture Reference: Luke 7: 36-50 The last days are lawless days. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. (Matthew 24:1) With this reality in mind, living a life of love and forgiveness becomes a journey of faith. It is a personal journey and commitment to obey God’s call to love; no one can do it for us, just like Jesus who had to personally obey the Father and go through his journey on earth to bring reconciliation between God and man. We are a forgiven people We are a distinctive people, a peculiar people. The distinctiveness of Christianity, which sets it apart from other religions, is essentially forgiveness. We are a forgiven people. We are a people loved by God. John 3:16 says:"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God loved us so much that He was willing to forgive us and pay the price for our sins by sending His son to die for us on the cross. Jesus’ work on the cross was finished when He conquered death and rose to life again. If we seek God earnestly, He will forgive us. In Luke 7:36-50, Jesus asked Simon the Pharisee and the host of the party:“Do you see this woman?” Most of us see others through Simon’s eyes. We look at people with eyes of prejudice: We ask, are they worthy to touch Jesus? Being a Pharisee, Simon knew the things of God, yet he judged the woman and viewed her as a filthy woman who had come to his party uninvited and one who wasted expensive perfume. On the other hand, Jesus saw in the woman a soul desperately in need of God’s love and forgiveness. Jesus pointed out the differences between Simon and the woman: Simon did not give Jesus any water for his feet, but the woman wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Simon did not give Jesus a kiss, but the woman kept kissing his feet. Simon did not put oil on Jesus’ head, but the woman had poured expensive perfume on his feet. Therefore Jesus directed Simon to the parable of two debtors in Luke 7:41-43. Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled both their debts. However, one was more grateful to the moneylender - the one who had the bigger debt cancelled. Jesus drew a conclusion from the parable - the woman’s many sins had been forgiven—for she loved much. Her adoration and extravagance towards Jesus were commendable. Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:50) Only those who realise the depth of their sin can appreciate the complete forgiveness of God. It is the grateful woman of little propriety, and not the stingy religious leader, whose sins were forgiven. The woman’s act showed her true faith and Jesus honoured her faith. We are to be a forgiving people John 15:10 says: If we obey Jesus, we are to remain in His love. We are to love one another just as God loves us. We have five significant relations to extend our love and forgiveness to: • Our mother, our child • Our spouse • Our siblings • Our best friends • The authority figures in our lives The key to forgiving others is recognising that God is the one who will enable us. Jesus asked his panic-stricken disciples in the midst of a stormy boat ride:“Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:23) When love is being challenged in difficult times, let us place our faith in God, that He will help us to love and be more like Jesus. Here is a simple way of remembering how to guard our hearts in Christ Jesus: A – Acknowledge God. B – Believe that God will provide. C – Cancel all debt. D – Deal with your heart. In conclusion, this world is not our own; we are just passing through. While we live here, let us be confident that change is on the way, with God’s help. With His love, strength and power, we are able to love and forgive one another, just as Jesus as done so for us. By Mrs Joyce Ewing-Chow Mrs Joyce Ewing-Chow is the wife of Rev Timothy Ewing-Chow, an ordained priest in the Anglican Diocese of Singapore. They are currently worshipping at the Westside Anglican Church, where Rev Timothy serves as the Priest-in-Charge. Joyce has authored a book,‘Dancing through the Seasons - A Journey of Healing for Women.’ Click here to go back to 40DoL homepage.
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