
Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. - Luke 6:7
Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice. ~ Psalm 51:17, The Message
by Tami Heim
John Bishop, pastor of Living Hope Church in Vancouver, Washington, spoke at Ruth Graham’s gathering at The Cove, in Ashville, North Carolina last week. During a 2-day intensive on transparency that included diverse minds from around the country, John shared what it means to be a living example of transparency and what Ruth Graham calls outrageous grace.
You see, Living Hope Church was the first mega church to invite Ted and Gail Haggard to speak after their return to full-time ministry following a very public scandal. John transported us back to that day at his church and shared how God moved. It just so happened, Ted Haggard was sitting in the audience at the Cove while John spoke, which amplified the humanity of the moment. Here’s a video that recaps that outrageous grace-filled day at Living Hope Church. You really don’t want to miss this . . .
John has a new book coming out on March 29th called Dangerous Church: Risking Everything to Reach Everyone. (Now that’s a title @stickyJesus can whole-heartedly support.) The book’s audience is church leadership, but there’s truth in it for anyone following hard after the heart of Christ.
Here’s a sneak peek:
“The problem isn’t the brokenness of our lives—our sinful failures—but that we often aren’t broken enough by our sins and failures. Spiritual leaders understand that brokenness is a virtue and that God’s strength is manifested their weakness and dependence on Jesus. In fact, God desires our brokenness. . . . .Our brokenness is the very platform on which God does his best work. It’s not our strength that moves the church forward but his power, manifested through our dependence.” – Dangerous Church, introduction.
4 steps to getting real about grace
So do you think you are ready to get real about your own brokenness? Are there times when you are quick to judge? Are you willing to put it all out there so the Holy Spirit can search and cleanse you? Anytime is a good time to allow God to bring you back to where you belong.
1. Find a quiet place
2. Read Psalm 51.
3. Invite God to do what He longs to do in you.
4. Ask Him to help you understand brokenness, repentance, and grace.
Post/Tweet this:
Humanity has fallen and all are desperate for God’s love. Will you be the first to show outrageous grace? #LiveSticky
What do you think causes someone to slip into judgment?
Tags: brokenness, forgiveness, grace, Ruth Graham, The Cove, transparency