In this sermon Pastor Ken Witten, Senior Pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida, challenges the Hope Family to see the beauty of forgiveness.
Sermon Notes
COME HUNGRY
Luke 7:36-50 ESV
When should one start eating the main course at a formal dinner?
A. After the hostess is seated
B. After the hostess lifts her fork
C. After 3 or 4 people are served
D. As soon as humanly possible
What do you do when the person across the table from you has food in their teeth?
A. Intentionally stare at the food to make them aware.
B. Pick between your own teeth, hoping they will get the gesture.
C. Ask them if they are “saving some for later”.
D. Casually let them know.
E. None of the above – don’t do anything.
Is it polite to ask others to pray before a meal?
A. The host should always say grace.
B. Ask the person who prays the best to pray.
C. Put your pastor on speakerphone and ask him to pray.
D. Don’t pray because you might offend.
What should you do if your cell phone goes off in church?
A. Look annoyingly at the person and shake your head in frustration.
B. Make your ringtone a worship song, just in case.
C. Send the preacher a gift card.
1. RELIGION FOCUSES ON DUTY, RELATIONSHIP FOCUSES ON DESIRE
Don’t Confuse Activity with Intimacy
Don’t Confuse Knowledge with Spirituality
A. Ignorant of His Condition
Religion says, “I need a message”; Relationship with Jesus says, “I need a Savior”.
B. Indifferent of Jesus’ Cost
Forgiveness never happens without someone getting hurt.
2. JESUS CARES MORE ABOUT AUTHENTICITY THAN FORMALITY
3. THE GOSPEL WILL ALWAYS BE SEEN AS SCANDALOUS AND RIDICULOUS WHEN WORSHIP IS OPENLY DISPLAYED
Your love for Jesus is a direct response to how deeply forgiven you feel yourself to be.
Your ability to love people or love life is completely based on how deeply you see your sin and how beautifully you see yourself forgiven.
