Wednesday, March 6, 2019

REGRET & FAITHFULNESS



Have you ever thought back on a certain situation, season of life, and had regret? I sure have. I think it is a normal part of life, but I have also started to discover that people with faith have a unique perspective when they reflect back on those moments of regret. That as their faith matures they begin to see past REGRETs as an opportunity to potentially see the Lord’s FAITHFULNESS. This is the heart behind a new sermon series that we will launch this Sunday at www.graceseaford.church: DEAR YOUNGER ME. Here is a video link where I share some thoughts on the upcoming series and topic: https://vimeo.com/321824401. 

WORD: One of the men in the Bible who I think struggled deeply with REGRET was Peter.  John 21:15–19 captures a moment of regret in Peter’s life after he had rejected even knowing Jesus 3 times! Jesus pursues him and in the passage you have this amazing, loving, and grace-filled exchange. Jesus never gives Peter an “I Told You So”, but instead uses words and language that will challenge Peter to reframe his entire experience.

WRESTLE: When I think about this passage it brings up some struggles in my life where I have wrestled with my own obedience to follow Jesus. This week, I plan to share how those struggles impacted my life by writing a letter or note to my younger self. We will also consider how Peter may have creatively written a letter back to his younger self (Simon) and how he would have wrestled through his betrayal of Jesus.

WIN: In the end we come to the realization that Christ can redeem every aspect of our life. Our regrets, mistakes, hang ups, finances, and dysfunction. For a picture into this WIN watch this song: https://vimeo.com/164349212. I have come to a place where I do not want to change my life as much as I submit more of it to Christ. He has taken the mess I gave him and given me back a new picture of how to understand my life and appreciate His FAITHFULNESS.

My prayer and hope for you this week is that you would experience God’s FAITHFULNESS over your REGRET. That you would experience the freedom that accompanies the victory that has been purchased for you and that you would consider sharing a letter to your younger self through this message series. The process may heal, restore, and redeem what the world has stolen.

Growing with you,
Pastor Larry

For greater info on what is coming visit: