BIG IDEA
Jesus wants to take your guilt and give you freedom instead.
MESSAGE NOTES:
WHAT:
It’s important that we learn how to monitor our emotions, not hide them, brush them under the rug, or go numb, but actually deal with them and monitor them…. because our emotions have a big impact on the way we treat ourselves and other people. And that’s a big deal to Jesus.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV.
We all have stuff inside of us that’s not great. And when that stuff comes out of us, and we do or say something that’s not great, the result is usually a different emotion that can end up controlling us.
I’m talking about the emotion called guilt.
SO WHAT:
Guilt is a loaded word, for some reason, I feel like the word guilt actually makes me feel heavy when I say it. So I want to give you 3 steps, to help you deal with your guilt.
Identify your guilt.
Own it.
Ask for Jesus’ forgiveness and take his freedom instead.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 ESV.'
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he [God] condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4 NIV.
NOW WHAT:
Jesus wants to take your guilt and give you freedom instead.
1. You are no longer allowed to condemn yourself or punish yourself.
2. Your guilt will remind you, but it will not define you.
3. You don’t get to condemn others for their mistakes.
4. You are free to make things right with the person you hurt, without excuses or an expectation of getting something back from them.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Q1: How do you normally respond to the feeling of guilt?
Q2: What’s the go to excuse you use so that you don’t feel as guilty?
Q3: Which of the four things listed in the “Now What?” above, do you need to focus on most to really live in God’s freedom?
Q4: Do you need to make things right with someone so you can move forward and out of guilt into Jesus’ freedom?