Summer Sermon Series Week 1

Main Premise

God loves us just the way we are but refuses to leave us this way. God wants us to be more like Jesus. God wants us to have a heart like Jesus (page 3 of the older edition of the book).

Chapter 1: Having a heart like Jesus

The author gives the example of his wife’s love of remodeling their home. God wants to “remodel” our hearts. The heart of Jesus was spiritual, and during this summer we will look at growing this same way starting with forgiveness.

Chapter 2: A Forgiving Heart

The author talks about in our relationships in life we can either Flee, Fight or Forgive and urges us to be a forgiving people. In the original language of the Bible, the word forgiveness is translated (roughly) to “forego.” We forgo being angry or to hurt any longer. Forgiveness is not for the other person but for us. 

Bible verse in support

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and loving to one another, and forgive each other just as God also forgave you in Christ.” When we remember how much we have been forgiven, we can more easily forgive others. 

“Jesus made sure the disciples had no reason to doubt his love, why don’t we do the same!” (pg. 23 older edition of the book)

Week 2: A Compassionate Heart

The word essentially means to “suffer with.” The Passion of the Christ movie title has to do with the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The Latin for the word “Compati” means “with.” This is the joy of a family of faith; we suffer with each other and pray and support and love. 

Max tells the story of the man with leprosy and how the healing touch of Jesus healed the man. Still today, as we “touch” one another (in person or online, on the phone, with a card/note or with food at a time of need) we touch hearts.