Regent Hall Sermons: Espresso Yourself

As we continue our series Living the Lord's Prayer Now, we come to the crucial line 'Forgive us our Sins, as we forgive those who sin against us'. Christianity, and Hebrew tradition from which Christianity emerges, never skirts around forgiveness or sweeps things under the carpet. We are called to face up to sin in the presence of a loving God who deals justly, honestly and kindly with us. Just read Psalm 103 to be assured of that. So we needn't fear this tough, demanding prayer or be destroyed by neurotic guilt. Forgiveness, if painful, is healthy and life-giving! Most importantly forgiveness is good news because where forgiveness is, the kingdom of God is breaking in. But is forgiveness easy and do we always feel like it? In the church, are we falling over ourselves in our eagerness to be forgiven and to forgive? My prayer is that this Sunday we will take a step deeper into the heart of this prayer and allow it to more deeply shape our lives. Major Caroline Mingay