Forgive As We Are Forgiven - Applying And Living The Gospel

2017.02.05 SERMON. FORGIVING AS WE ARE FORGIVEN. APPLYING AND LIVING THE GOSPEL

William Akehurst HSWC

Psalms 32:1-11 (KJV) RESPONSIVE READING

1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

(GWT) Blessed is the person whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sin is pardoned.

2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

(GWT) Blessed is the person whom the LORD no longer accuses of sin and who has no deceitful thoughts.

3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

(GWT) When I kept silent {about my sins}, my bones began to weaken because of my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

(GWT) Day and night your hand lay heavily on me. My strength shriveled in the summer heat. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

(GWT) I made my sins known to you, and I did not cover up my guilt. I decided to confess them to you, O LORD. Then you forgave all my sins. Selah

6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

(GWT) For this reason let all godly people pray to you when you may be found. Then raging floodwater will not reach them.

7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

(GWT) You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyous songs of salvation. Selah

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

(GWT) {The LORD says,} “I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.

9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

(GWT) Don't be stubborn like a horse or mule. {They need} a bit and bridle in their mouth to restrain them, or they will not come near you.”

10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

(GWT) Many heartaches await wicked people, but mercy surrounds those who trust the LORD

11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart

(GWT) Be glad and find joy in the LORD, you righteous people. Sing with joy, all whose motives are decent.

TODAY’S WORD

Matthew 6:9-15 (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

THE ROOT OF UNFORGIVENESS = BITTERNESS

Hebrews 12:15 (KJV) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

(GW) Make sure that everyone has kindness from God so that bitterness doesn't take root and grow up to cause trouble that corrupts many of you.

The Root of Biitterness.

ILLUS: When you pull a weed from the ground, if you don’t get all the roots, the weed will grow back. Roots absorb and store energy that feeds the weed so that it can spring back to life again and again and again. Without getting rid of the root, the weed will always be a bother in the garden.

Like the root, the heart absorbs and stores bitterness and hurt, anger, hatred, and even thoughts of revenge.

The only way to eliminate the root of bitterness is forgiveness.

KILLING THE ROOT

Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV) 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

(GW) 31 Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred.