Message from Bob Henderson                 Friday, Feb. 15, 2019


Dear friends, 

Thank you for your vigorous response to our sermon series on forgiveness. Your insights, honesty, and feedback have enriched the entire endeavor. I'm more grateful for you than you probably know. 

This weekend, we'll conclude our series by looking at the role forgiveness can play in our families, something most of us find extremely difficult. Those closest to us can hurt us most deeply, and the deepest cuts always leave the biggest scars. And yet, when forgiveness comes, it can change everything.

A few years ago at the graduation exercises at Azusa Pacific University, the commencement speaker and university officials gathered backstage before the ceremonies. A few moments before everyone was to walk out, university president Jon Wallace pulled three seniors into the center of the room and told the others that these seniors were all going to serve under-resourced people in impoverished areas after graduation. 

Wallace then faced the three students, and said, "Somebody you do not know has heard about what you're doing. He wants you to be able to serve without any impediment, so he's giving you a gift." Then he turned to the first student and looked her in the eye. "You have been forgiven your school debt of $105,000." It took a few moments for the words to sink in. The student shook her head, then began to cry. Jon turned to the next student. "You have been forgiven your debt of $70,000," then to the third student, "You have been forgiven your debt of $130,000." 

All three students were trembling. Their lives had been changed in a twinkling by the extravagance of someone they'd never met. Those who watched said it was as if they had experienced the forgiveness themselves. There was not a dry eye in the room. An unpayable debt. An unseen giver. An unforgettable gift. The freedom of the debtors becomes a blessing to the world.

It's hard, important, and world changing. You can prepare by reading about it here.

Come, and bring a friend.




 
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8:45 Chapel
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