Sermons
Second Chances
Luke 15:4
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing."
3/12/17
Glenn Blankenship "Second Chances"
Spring signals the beginning of life, a renewal, a reminder of new opportunities. God offers us daily opportunities at a second chance. Do we take advantage of these opportunities?
So many times when we hear of people who receive second chances, they have the opportunity to take another path, make life altering changes.
The second chances in this lesson are those that are private between an individual and our God. He is willing to hit the reset button and start over with us. He offers FORGIVENESS anytime we desire it and ask for it.
2 Kings 22-23
These are the last days in Judah before captivity. Josiah came to power after 57 years of evil rule by his grandfather and father. His rule was very remarkable, at 26 years old, Josiah hears the words of the book of the Law. The temple was being renovated after all the practices that had been performed during Manasseh and Ammon's reigns.
Components of a second chance:
1. During a second chance, we're faced with an either/or opportunity. There is the way we've been living vs. how we should be living.
2. The choice to change or not. Manasseh chose to ignore God's word. When Josiah was faced with God's word, he tore his clothes. God recognized his humble heart and renewed his promises to Josiah that destruction would not come until after his life time.
3. Priority - What is most important. Josiah had the idols removed from the temple and burned them.
4. After his choice and the change in his priorities, Josiah took measures to bring Judah to repentance. He read the law to the people himself and declared a covenant with God and had all of Judah to sign it. He was faced with a decision and he made a choice of full repentance and served God.
Ezra 9
Ezra is told that the Israelites had taken foreign wives against God's law. Ezra tears his clothes, pulled hair from his hair and beard. He trembled when he heard this and prayed. When the people saw his distress, they decided to put away these foreign wives.
Acts 22:6-16
Paul's conversion story - a light came from heaven and he fell to the ground. Saul had a choice here - he could have turned away from God and continued in his sin. But he chose to repent and listen as a new path was presented to him.
Why do we have so many second chances?
1. God is always calling.
2. We are sinful and need His forgiveness
*Sometimes, dramatic things happen in our lives that draw our attention back to God. We must use these opportunities for true repentance, not just a temporary change.