“The Pathway to Recovery”

Mark 16:7

I.    Honestly accept responsibility for my poor choices

• Four common causes for poor choices seen in Pete’s betrayal of Jesus:

1.  Pride
   (Mark 14:29)
2. Fatigue
   (Mark 14:37)
3. Fear of disapproval
   (Mark 14:54)
4. Short term pleasure
   (Mark 14:54)

• Jesus wants us to help others. Take the lessons from our failures and help others
  (Luke 22:31-32)

 II.   Humbly ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness
(Psalm 51:1-3,6,10)

 III.  Gratefully accept God’s grace and forgive myself
(Ephesians 1:7)
(Romans 8:1) 

• The power of the empty tomb seen in God’s grace:

1.  Jesus already paid for all my sins on the cross
   (1 John 2:2)
2.  God’s goodness isn’t based on my goodness
   (Titus 3:5)
3. Forgive those who hurt me
   (Matthew 6:14-15)
4. Face the future with faith
   (Job 11:13-18)
   (Isaiah 43:18-19)