Tonight we have been trying to put right something that is wrong
Justice has been served (or not)!
The middle bit
Just as someone did wrong against James / Stuart...tonight we've seen how
they reacted...
How would you react if someone wronged you?
Some people would ignore it, some would argue, start a fight, try to get
their own back...
What do you think about getting your own back...revenge...?
Is it a good idea or a bad idea? Why?
Have you ever tried to 'get your own back'?
What happened?
How did you feel afterwards?
Does it work in the long run?
The Bible says
Matthew 5:38 P915 "You have heard it was said, 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.' But
I tell you, don't stand up against an evil person. If someone slaps you on the
right cheek, turn to him the other cheek as well If someone wants to sue you
in court and take your shirt, let him have your coat as well...'
What do you think this means?
'two wrongs don't make a right'
Do you think it is possible to do wrong against God?
What kind of things...
The Bible says that doing wrong against God and other people in called
'sin'
How do you think God reacts when we do things wrong?
It hurts God just like it would hurt us...
Does it matter what God thinks? Why?
According to the Bible it does
The Bible tells us that God knows everything...and at the end of our lives
we will be asked why we have done the things we have done...judgement
What do you think about that?
Is that something you'll look forward to?
The Bible tells us
1 John 1:9 P1316 "But if we confess our sins, he will forgive ours sins, because we can
trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have
done"
In other words, if we trust in God, and ask him for forgiveness he will
forgive us for anything we have done wrong
God will forgive our sins...even murder. stealing...saying hurtful
things...if we trust God and own up to what we've done wrong
Do you think God will really forgive anything?
Is that fair?
Do you think people are willing to forgive others, just like God does?
Conclusion
[Hand out pieces of coloured paper / pens / pencils]
To finish tonight, I'd like us to think about the things we have done
wrong
Perhaps we feel we have let someone down, or upset someone...a
friend...even God...
Maybe you've done something that you feel ashamed of...
Write down things want forgiveness and go put them through the shredding
machine