2015.6.21 礼拝

Message: “Open-hearted relationship builds a healthy church”
1 John 1:8-10 – If we claim to be without sin, we deceived ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”
People learn from experiences that honest association within families, couples, friends, and colleagues build stronger relationships. They feel a wall when the partner does not open his heart or tend to be passive when the gap seems to widen between the two. A person could even find himself being rejected despite his open share of deeds and feelings. As a result, he gets hurt and becomes cautious and eventually feels his efforts would end in vain. However, by nature – as God has designed us – we humans wish to open our hearts to each other, love each other and have sympathy. As long as we close ourselves in fear of rejection, our desire and thirst of love and sympathy would not be satisfied.
Then, is there a person with whom we find relief and to whom we could share ourselves whole-heartedly? There is God who will not be surprised, disappointed nor even reject us when we honestly share our good and ugly parts.
Therefore, those who already have faith should never forget that God accepts us. We can entrust ourselves to God because we know he accepts us. Especially when we have done something wrong, we should honestly share our misdeeds with God. And this is the only way to deepen our relationship with God. Anybody can show regret or repose by himself. However, God wants us to confess our wrongs and release all of ourselves to him honestly.
①Open our hearts to God
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 32:5 – Then I acknowledge my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
There is nothing difficult. All we have to do is to bring down the wall between us and God and confess our sins honestly. That is, if we open our hearts to him, our relationship with God will be strengthened. Since we believe in Christ and have been forgiven, we should be able to open our hearts to each other.
②Open our hearts to each other as Christians forgiven of our sins
James 5:16 – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
There is no need to act “Christian-like” or show ourselves to be really faithful since we are all imperfect, sinful and only on the way to growth in front of God regardless of being a pastor, a leader or a having long period of faith. When one member should try to hide his sinfulness, the trend may infect the other members of the church. When a member thinks he is mature in faith and starts judging other people, this may also spread to others. If we are to seek a church where we can have a sound fellowship and attend with confidence, we should be prepared and agree to open our hearts, share our weaknesses, and not be surprised or disappointed at others’ weaknesses.
Life Church aims at such fellowships and is already showing fruit as honestly shared fellowship is seen in each Life Group.
Acts 2:46-47 – Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their umber daily those who were being saved.