“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” - Hebrews 9:22
-
G'Day Open Road!
It was wonderful to hear so many testimonies last Sunday of what God has done and is doing. Thanks to all those who were courageous enough to share something of God's faithfulness to celebrate and/or stories of his goodness.
One of the most precious gifts of God is faith, specifically faith in Jesus.
In my attempt to offer a simple explanation of faith in Jesus, I've summarised it as: forgiven, filled and following.
Forgiven by the Father.
Filled with the Spirit.
Following Jesus.
If you've grown up in a typical Aussie household, you probably like the idea of forgiveness - especially when people forgive you. Forgiveness is good, wise, kind and moral. In some ways, forgiveness is easy; we speak the words, "I forgive you".
However, when it comes to forgiving sin against God, the Bible teaches that it's far more serious.
In the book of Hebrews 9:22, we read, "...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." You may be thinking, "What?! Why does a living being have to die for forgiveness to take place? Why can't God say, 'I forgive you.'"?
When you break a law made by a human, you are given a monetary fine.
When humans broke God's law, God said our fine is death.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23
In a way, whether you know it or not, your sin has already landed you a fine that you'll pay on the day of your last breath.
It's into a world facing judgment that God sent Jesus. The very literal message is that if you place your faith in Jesus, his death will pay for the fine you owe.
The analogy may not be perfect, but the simple message is that through faith in Jesus, the "fine" for your sin is paid. You're heavenly debt is forgiven through the gracious plan of our heavenly Father.
It's his eternally loving nature that is the source of his plan of forgiveness.
I recall more than one occasion where my siblings and I broke windows or put holes in walls. Though my dad's temper probably rose a degree or two, he was the one who paid the neighbour for a new window or bought the gear required to fix what I had broken.
When you put your faith in Jesus, you are trusting not only that his sacrifice on the cross was "enough" to pay for your sin, but that your heavenly Father did this because of his deep love for you and I.
"God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
So, if you have not put your faith in Jesus, understand that this is the only way to be forgiven of your sin, past, present and future. There is literally no "downside" to faith in Jesus.
Through re-establishing a relationship with your loving, heavenly father, you get access to life as it was meant to be. While it's not without challenge or suffering, it is true life, and it's yours for the taking - by faith in Jesus alone.
Much love, see you Sunday!
Dan
Thanks from a local school we helped
I would like to sincerely thank you for assisting one of our lovely families in their time of need. I spoke to the mother yesterday and she was in tears. Thank you also for going out of your way and delivering the voucher to our school.
Your kindness and grace will be forever remembered.
Warmly, --
Guidance Officer, [Local School]
Coming Up
November
Mondays - Emotionally Healthy Relationships, Kings Beach - Katie 0412 500 940
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 09 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 16 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats + Baptisms
Sun 23 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 30 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $12,796
Last month's expenses: $11,756
Balance: $79,434
Giving in : Oct 23-Oct 25: $5000
Giving out : Oct 23-Oct 25: $15,663
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
Keen to know more?
Subscribe: At the bottom of every page you can subscribe to our newsletter.
Updates: View a list of all our weekly updates.
