God Gives Second Chances

Bad choices, broken hearts, shattered dreams and irrevocable failures are all part of this thing we call life. Satan can use these things to paralyze us with guilt, but God can use these things to draw us closer to Him. He is willing to forgive our failures and offer a second chance. Several examples are recorded in the pages of Scripture.

Moses is one of the great heroes of the Bible, but did you know that Moses blew it in several areas? He was a murderer (Ex 2:11-12), he threw a righteous temper tantrum (Ex 32:19) and he directly disobeyed God (Num 20:8:12). In spite of Moses’ sin, God still used him to lead His chosen people to the edge of the Promised Land and to author several books of the Bible. God gave Moses a second chance.

King David had an affair (2 Sam 11:4) and murdered the woman’s husband (2 Sam 11:15-17); but God still used him to lead the nation, to write many of the Psalms, to prepare for the building of the Temple, and to be in the bloodline of the Messiah. David’s broken and contrite spirit is recorded in Psalm 51 and God calls him a man after His own heart in Acts 13:22-23. God gave David a second chance.

Scripture also records the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8). According to Jewish Law, this sin was punishable by stoning; but Jesus stopped the religious hypocrites that were pointing out her sin and called attention to their own. The accusers left, Jesus forgave the woman and instructed her to go and sin no more. Again, we see a sinner, her repentance and God’s grace offering her a second chance.

Remember the story of the man having an illicit relationship with his stepmother? (I Cor 5:1, 11) Paul instructed the church to break fellowship with him until he repented; but upon his repentance, Paul told them to receive him back into the church family and restore him. (2 Cor 2:6-11) This man was given a second chance.

Finally, we find the story of the Prodigal Son.(Luke 15:11-25) The boy spent his inheritance on parties and prostitutes. When he hit rock bottom, he repented and returned to his father. The father welcomed his son and celebrated his return. The father gave his son a second chance.

The chorus to one of my favorite songs reads as follows: “I don’t know what a sinner you are, but I know what a Savior He is. I don’t know where your feet have taken you, but His climbed up Calvary’s hill. I don’t know what kind of words you’ve spoken, but His words were Father forgive. I don’t know what a sinner you are, but I know what a Savior He is.” According to 1 John 1:9, God is still offering second chances -- “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Forward by Faith

Emmanuel Baptist Church will celebrate her 80th birthday this year. For many years, this church has been a light in our community; but recently, we have illuminated a region! God has been blessing us beyond what we could have ever asked or even imagined. With the rich heritage of such a great church, it would have been easy to coast through and rest upon our laurels; but our church family has done anything but rest.

Since February 26, EBC has hosted an X-treme skateboard outreach; Friend Day; the regional AWANA Olympics; a Women's Conference; a Phillips, Craig & Dean concert; and Emmanuel Christian School Day. This past week included our debt retirement banquet, an Easter EGGstravaganza, and 3 performances of our Easter choir production. Our church family is tired, but they are excited about the impact they are making on eternity!

While some churches are sitting back waiting to die, Emmanuel Church has grown by 109% in just 3 years! I can hear someone asking, "What is the secret?" It is simply people who are radically in love with Jesus and willing to work and worship in ways that really make a difference.

Let me share one snapshot of our church family that trilled by soul this past Sunday. For months, various committees had been praying, planning, and preparing for our "Forward by Faith" debt retirement campaign. Our banquet attendance was strong, our offering was great, our unity was miraculous, and the banquet wasn't bad either. But, my greatest blessing of the night occurred before and after the banquet as I watched people setting up and decorating, then cleaning up and resetting. The mix of people included those who had been members at Emmanuel for decades, others who are new to our church family, and some who have recently been visiting our church. There was a spirit of excitement as we considered what God could do through us after our debt is paid off! We began to dream together and people shouted their visions and ministry dreams for the future. Regardless of the money, the food, the program, or anything else that took place that night; I realized that I have the privilege of pastoring some GREAT people and together we serve a GREAT God!

Our church isn't resting on the laurels of our past -- We're focusing on our future and moving "Forward by Faith." Pray for us as we embark on this spiritual journey!