It isn’t always easy to forgive someone for a trespass. Sometimes we just want to hang on to the hurt and even at times wish to pay back the person who hurt us. Join me as I dive into God’s Word and explore this insightful topic. Recorded Live November 13th, 2011 at the A Word from God Bible Church in Springfield, MO.
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A Lesson in Forgiveness (OutLine)
All Scripture NIV1984
Key Verse:
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Three points on forgiveness:
- Before a person can successfully become a forgiving person, they first need to experience the forgiveness of God.
- Forgiveness requires work to achieve.
- Forgiving is a necessity in the Believer’s Life.
Section 1: God’s Forgiveness:
God’s Forgiveness Brings Peace:
God forgives us through His Son Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:20-22
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or
things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once
you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil
behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body
through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from
accusation—
God’s forgiveness through Christ brings us near to Him.
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit.
Because we are forgiven as Believers in Christ, we have access to God the Father.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Section 2: Forgiving Takes Work:
Forgiveness Requires Work:
a) Jesus had to work to forgive us.
1) He was Righteous and lived a sinless life
2) He was beaten with the cat of nine tales and suffered humiliation
3) He died on the Cross
4) He rose to life on the third day
5) He ascended to the Father and declared it FINISHED
Jesus is our example of forgiveness.
1) Jesus forgave the adulteress:
John 8:10-11
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one
condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of
sin.”
2) Jesus forgave those who hung him on the Cross:
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
3) Jesus forgave the sinful woman who washed his feet with her tears:
Luke 7:36-49
Jesus had a right to retaliate and the power to do it:
Peter cut the ear off a soldier the night Jesus was arrested, but Jesus told Peter to put his sword away.
Section 3: Why must we forgive:
Forgiving others stops our prayers from being hindered:
Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him,
so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
We must forgive to be forgiven:
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will
not forgive your sins.
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not
be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
We are to forgive others as God forgave us:
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against
one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Because God forgives us we too must forgive others:
Colossians 2:13-14
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful
nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having
canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that
stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
We are commanded to forgive others:
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you.
Luke 6:27
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate
you,
Forgiving sets us free: