Burying The Hatchet Series

Burying The Hatchet

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FORGIVE! & FORGET?

Luke 17:1-6; Col. 3:12-15

I. THE MEANING OF FORGIVENESS

A. Aphiemi = To send away; to cancel the debt; to remit; to totally remove; thus, never be liable for the obligation again.

·(Mat 18:27) The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

·(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.

B. Charizomai = To bestow favor unconditionally; totally apart from any merit in us.

·(Eph 4:32) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

·(Col 2:13) When you were dead in your… God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

II. THE NEED FOR FORGIVENESS

A. Forgiveness is needed because offenses abound.

·(Luke 17:1) Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

·(James 3:2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect [mature] man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

·(Prov 18:19) A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

·(Psa 119:165) Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

B. Forgiveness is needed because of the command of God.

·(Col 3:12-13) Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

·(Mark 11:25) And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

C. Forgiveness is needed because unforgiveness is harmful.

·(Mark 11:26) But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

·(Mat 5:23-26) "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

·(Mat 18:21- 35) …"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

III. THE SCOPE OF FORGIVENESS

A. Forgive all offenses.

·(Mat 18:21-22) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

·(Luke 17:4) If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

B. Forgive all people.

·(Mark 11:25; Matt. 5:23)

C. Forgive for all time.

·(Heb 8:12) For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

·(2 Tim 4:11) Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

IV. THE KEY TO FORGIVENESS

A. Trust fully in the Lord.

·(Luke 17:5) The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

B. Yield totally to the Holy Spirit.

·(Gal 5:16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

·(Eph 4:30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

·Compare: Gal. 5:22-23 with Col. 3:12-13

C. Follow explicitly the example of Jesus.

·(Col 3:13) …forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

D. Love selflessly the unworthy person.

·(Col 3:14) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

E. Rest completely in the peace of God.

·(Col 3:15) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.