In part 5 of our 1 John series, Pastor Michael uses the dangerous playground equipment of the 1980s - especially the merry-go-round - to illustrate how we get stuck in destructive cycles of sin, guilt, and distance from God. Through 1 John's teaching about Jesus as our Advocate, we discover how to break free from the concealment cycle and enter the life-giving confession cycle.
Key Points- We get stuck repeating the same patterns: try not to sin, sin, hide, guilt, distance from God
- Sin doesn't just break rules - it breaks hearts, lives, trust, families, and faith
- Jesus steps in as our Advocate, offering a different cycle: confession, cleansing, confidence
- As our propitiation, Jesus took what we deserved so we could receive what He deserved
Main TakeawayNobody can live perfectly, but because of Jesus, we can live peacefully. When we confess instead of conceal, we end up closer to God rather than farther away. Jesus breaks the merry-go-round of guilt and replaces it with grace.
Memorable Quotes- "Jesus breaks the merry-go-round of guilt and replaces it with grace."
- "Sin doesn't just break rules. It breaks hearts. It breaks lives. It breaks trust."
- "Sin promises freedom, but also leaves you in chains."
- "Jesus doesn't talk God into loving us; God sent Jesus to us out of His Love."
- "Jesus took what we deserved so we could receive what He deserved."
- "A big enough and strong enough person could grab the bars and make it stop almost at once. Do we know anybody big enough and strong enough to stop the destructive cycles in our lives? We sure do!"
Reflection QuestionWhich cycle are you living in - the concealment cycle (try, sin, hide, guilt, distance) or the confession cycle (try, sin, confession, cleansing, confidence)?
Tune in to hear Pastor Michael's hilarious stories about 1980s playground death traps, accidentally setting the woods on fire, and why fancy hand towels remain a mystery to him.
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