Fearghal Kelly - June 21, 2026
Forgiveness and reconciliation
Genesis 33 Jacob's lies were irreparable. Esau comes towards his brother Jacob with 400 men. Jacob arranges his people to meet Esau in order of who he values least to most, to protect those dearest to him (Reuben probably isn’t happy that Joseph is last!). He expects revenge. Jacob cannot repay Esau, but can he endear him with his gifts? Will Esau forgive? To forgive a debt means first to abandon the expectation of repayment. Esau runs to welcome Jacob back! The surprise of reconciliation brought them both to tears. Jacob recounts God’s kindness to him, introducing his family. He sees God’s kindness in Esau’s face. God treats us this way when we repent, which is why Jesus uses this story to describe an event greater love for sinners in Luke 15. For more about Christ Central Church Portsmouth visit: https://christcentral.church Or via socials: www.facebook.com/christcentral.ch www.instagram.com/christcentralchurchportsmouth To connect with us email: hello@christcentral.church or give us your details at https://www.christcentral.church
From Series: "Genesis - God's people in God's plan"
The Bible has clear instructions in parts, but most of it is story. Stories of people messing up. Stories of people discovering God’s grace. Stories we can learn wisdom from. The middle bit of Genesis tells the story of three generations who discover what it means to be God’s people in God’s plan for his world. And they don’t always get it right. Their stories include: marriage problems, death and grief, parenting struggles, choosing a spouse, sexual immorality, deception, reproductive ethics, unjust employers, relationships that distort God’s design, the strength of friendship, birth, infertility, abuse, betrayal, forgiveness, aging, value of life from womb to tomb, loneliness, racism, politics, war, buying land, wealth management, and learning wisdom from all the ambiguity of ordinary life trying to trust God in a fallen world. We face many issues in life where we have to ask: What does it mean to be God’s people in this? What’s God’s plan for it?
