Eagles View Church

Pastor Bart continues the Family Tree series by showing how Matthew’s genealogy points to Jesus as the Son of David, the promised King Israel waited for. God made a covenant with David that one of his descendants would reign forever. Even when the kingdom fell and hope seemed gone, the prophets pointed toward a coming King who would restore what was broken. Matthew announces that Jesus is that King.

Jesus is our Shepherd King who leads and cares for His people, our Warrior King who defeated sin and death through the cross, and our Returning King who will one day make all things new. This week we are invited to trust His leadership, rest in His protection, and surrender what we try to control.

This week, Pastor Bart opened our Christmas series Family Tree by showing why Matthew begins the story of Jesus not with angels or a manger, but with a genealogy. For first-century Jews, this wasn’t boring credits — it was the announcement that God had kept His promise. By calling Jesus the Son of Abraham, Matthew points all the way back to God’s covenant in Genesis 12, where He promised to bless the world through Abraham’s family.Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. He is God’s blessing in human form — bringing forgiveness, purpose, and hope even in a broken world. And just like Abraham, we’re blessed so we can be a blessing to others. This Christmas, we’re invited to trust God, step out in faith, and help others encounter the One who came for all people.

We all have names that, when mentioned, stir up old wounds and unresolved tension within us. These names are attached to stories—stories of offense, betrayal, or deep hurt. If we don’t learn how to move forward, these wounds can imprison us, affecting our present relationships and even our walk with God. The story of Louis Zamperini, a man who endured unimaginable suffering as a prisoner of war and then found himself trapped in bitterness and hatred, powerfully illustrates the destructive power of unforgiveness. His journey to freedom began not when his circumstances changed, but when he encountered the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Only then was he able to forgive those who had wronged him, and in doing so, he found true freedom.

Forgiveness is not natural; it is supernatural. Our instinct is to seek justice, to make others pay for what they’ve done. But the gospel flips the script. Jesus teaches us that the forgiveness we receive from God is meant to flow outward to others. This is not a suggestion but a command for those who follow Christ. Paul, writing from prison, reminds us in Ephesians that our identity as forgiven people should shape the way we relate to others. We are called to “get rid of all bitterness” and to forgive “just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” This is not about minimizing the pain or pretending the offense didn’t happen. Rather, it’s about recognizing the depth of our own need for forgiveness and the immense cost Jesus paid to cancel our debt.

Forgiveness is not forgetting, excusing, or instantly restoring trust. It is not the same as reconciliation, nor does it remove consequences. Forgiveness is a decision—a choice to release the right to collect a debt that is genuinely owed. Sometimes, this is a process that must be repeated as old wounds resurface. At times, wisdom calls us to overlook minor offenses; at other times, we must have hard conversations, always with humility and a desire for restoration, not vindication.

Ultimately, forgiveness is about freedom—freedom for the one who forgives. Jesus endured the cross, absorbing the cost of our sin, so that we could be set free. As we grasp the depth of what we’ve been forgiven, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to extend that same grace to others. This is the path to healthy relationships, spiritual maturity, and true freedom in Christ.

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome

[01:30] - The Story of Louis Zamperini

[04:54] - Encountering the Gospel and Forgiveness

[08:04] - The Challenge of Forgiving the Unrepentant

[10:31] - Forgiveness Does Not Erase the Past

[13:10] - Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness

[14:40] - Forgiven People Become Forgiving People

[18:05] - Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians: Context

[20:21] - Grieving the Holy Spirit with Bitterness

[23:48] - Taking Out the Trash: Removing Bitterness

[25:15] - Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness

[28:17] - The Vertical and Horizontal Dimensions of Forgiveness

[33:30] - The Cost of Our Forgiveness

[35:47] - Jesus’ Suffering and the Depth of Our Need

[42:30] - What Forgiveness Is (and Isn’t)

[48:41] - Boundaries, Consequences, and Reconciliation

[51:18] - Forgiveness Is Not a Feeling or Contingent on Apology

[56:26] - Overlooking Offenses and When to Confront

[59:58] - The Freedom of Forgiveness and Invitation to Respond

[62:42] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Sermon Notes:

https://www.bible.com/events/49521262

As we continue our journey through Ephesians, we were reminded that the gospel not only saves us—it reshapes every part of our lives, including our closest relationships. We began by honoring our veterans, recognizing their example of selfless service, which reflects the sacrificial love of Christ. As we move forward in our 25 Days of Gratitude, we are invited to keep practicing thankfulness each day: memorizing Scripture, recording daily blessings, and sharing encouragement with others. Gratitude is not seasonal—it’s a discipline that helps reorient our hearts away from grumbling and toward the goodness of God.

Paul’s words in Ephesians show us that transformation begins with identity. Before we are called to live differently, we are reminded of who we are in Christ—loved, redeemed, chosen, and secure by grace. From that foundation, the gospel shapes how we treat one another. In a culture built on power and self-interest, Paul calls us instead to mutual submission out of reverence for Christ. This isn’t about hierarchy or superiority, but about a “you first” posture formed in the way of Jesus. In marriage, this looks like sacrificial love, respect, and partnership—not domination or passivity, but a shared calling to reflect Christ’s character.

This message also recognized the real struggles many face in marriage and family—hurt, disappointment, and the longing for renewal. The gospel does not shame the hurting; it seeks to heal and restore. Whether single, married, widowed, or somewhere in between, we are all invited to look to the love of Jesus as our truest source of identity and strength. When we are filled with His love, we are freed to love others well. In every relationship, big or small, our calling is the same: to imitate Jesus, who gave Himself for us, so that His love may overflow from our lives into the world around us.

[00:00] - Welcome

[00:07] - Honoring Veterans and Service

[00:30] - 25 Days of Gratitude Introduction

[01:15] - Memorizing and Living 1 Thessalonians 5

[02:05] - Practicing Daily Thankfulness

[03:05] - Sharing Gratitude with Others

[04:03] - A Personal Story of Young Love

[06:02] - Lessons from Relationship Struggles

[09:35] - The Gospel’s Role in Marriage

[13:23] - Ephesians: Gospel Identity and Behavior

[17:16] - Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel

[20:21] - Mutual Submission in Relationships

[23:07] - From “Me First” to “You First”

[25:02] - The Meaning of Submission (Hupotazo)

[34:16] - Spirit-Filled Marriages: Husbands and Wives

[42:30] - Headship: Cross, Not Crown

[46:16] - The Call to Respect and Support

[50:58] - Husbands: Love as Christ Loved

[56:20] - Practical Takeaways for Marriage

[61:31] - Only Christ Completes Us

[62:42] - Invitation to Trust Jesus and Closing Prayer

Beyond Sunday Devotional: https://eaglesview.church/devotional

Bible App Notes: https://www.bible.com/events/49517054