Transformation and Forgiveness

Fr. Stephen looks at the story of the “Hospitality of Abraham” (Gen. 18) and his conversation with God concerning Sodom and Gomorrah, and sees in it a lesson for our time. 

Modern management theory has crept its way into Christian thought over the years, suggesting that parishes are best served when we are sorted into our gifts and talents slots. Fr. Stephen looks instead at the Biblical description of the Church in which our weaknesses rather than ... Show More

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the “allegorical” or “symbolic” reading of Scripture - and its importance for our daily life. 

Today we continue our weeklong focus on forgiveness, by looking at the incredible gift of forgiveness we’ve been offered in Jesus. Every command God has given us, he has already supplied the grace to live in obedience to. Forgiveness is no different. May we find the grace to forg ... Show More

"Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." Matthew 12:31 What is the sin "against the Spirit"? What is the sin that God can't forgive? Fr. Mike reveals to us that this sin is... any sin. Today, ... Show More

In our third day looking at Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, we’re going to take time today to look at how quickly, how instantly God forgives us. May regret, and fear over God’s judgement be washed away as we see an incredible picture of how quickly and easily God forgives our ... Show More

In our last podcast in our weeklong focus on forgiveness, today we’re going to look at what it takes to forgive ourselves. For some of us, forgiving ourselves can be the hardest part of forgiveness. May God give us the grace to see ourselves as he does, and offer ourselves love, ... Show More

How can we be sure that God truly forgives us, especially when our past sins feel unforgivable? Pastor John ministers hope to the unassured. 

“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16 TLB). The first step of forgiveness is admitting your guilt. In this message, Pastor Rick shares how to take the next step of forgiveness—by accepting responsibility for your sin. 

In our second devotional focusing on transformation, today we’re exploring the ways in which God transforms us into new creations. Every day God longs to make us new, to forgive our sins and mold and fashion us into his likeness. May God do a mighty work today as we make room for ... Show More

Being conscious of our sins is not the way God wants us to live. By contrast, being aware of how God sees us in Christ—innocent and free—lets us focus on our righteousness. We are forgiven because Jesus has dealt with our sin. We are not what we do; bad behavior does not separate ... Show More

In today’s First15, we continue our weeklong focus on forgiveness by looking at the idea of separating out our forgiveness of the person from their actions. It’s often our failure to do this separation that keeps us from engaging in the lifegiving command to forgive. But God has ... Show More