God Transforms: Study 8 in the series Good Beautiful God

For followers of Jesus, the idea that "l am an awful sinner" must be replaced by the narrative that says: "In Christ I am no longer to be defined by sin. I have been reconciled. Sin has been defeated."

Jesus not only forgives the sin of all people for all time, he broke the power of sin itself. This does not mean that everyone is saved. Only those who call upon his name experience that forgiveness.

God not only wants us to be reconciled, he wants to transform us. He not only took away the guilt of sin, but also the power of sin. Those who are Christ-followers not only receive the merit of his work on the cross but actually participate, by faith, in the crucifixion. Regarding this Paul says: "We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin" (Romans 6:6).

We are not only forgiven, we have participated in Christ's death and resurrection. I am not trying to live a sinless life like Jesus. Jesus, who lived a sinless life, is now living in me.

God is Love and God is Holy: Study 6 in the series Good Beautiful God

The primary focus of this message is that God is love and God is also holy.
God’s wrath toward sin is an action that reflects that love and holiness.

The talk addresses two false narratives. The first is that God is always angry and wrathful toward us. The second false narrative is that God doesn’t care about sin at all and is more of a “teddy bear.”

Which of these two narratives do you identify with more?

God is Generous: Study 4 in the series Good Beautiful God

The primary focus of this chapter is that we do not earn God’s love, favour, forgiveness or acceptance. God is generous and gives them to us freely.

The false narrative explored in this chapter is, “Love and forgiveness are commodities that are exchanged for performance. God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness must be earned by right living.

God is Good: Study 2 in the series Good Beautiful God

It's so easy to believe and say "God is Good" when all is well with you and your circumstances. But what might you be tempted to think if that were not the case?

Bad health, troubling thoughts, low bank balance, no employment, no permanent dwelling, feeling alone and unwanted?

What would you think about God in those circumstances? Is God still good?

The primary focus of this chapter is wrestling with the commonly held narrative that God is an angry God, who punishes us for our sins. But the God Jesus knows and reveals is good — meaning there is nothing bad about God.

Perhaps this message is just for you!