Forgiveness

Forgiveness

June 2, 2013 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: No matter the offense against you, if you are forgiven by God, then you CAN forgive others!

Focus Passage: Matthew 18:21-35

Supplemental Passage: "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. (Matthew 5:23-24 NASB)

Introduction: Forgive –

1 a : to give up resentment of or claim to requital for

b : to grant relief from payment of

2 : to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : pardon

(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgive)

I. Offenses

a. Broken trust, lies, abuse, theft, insults, attitudes, etc

b. Some people are too easily offended; “walking on eggshells”

c. Some offenses aren’t even personal (mad at someone because of what they did to someone else)

d. Some are so personal they a huge gaping wound in your life

II. Grudges

a. Holding a grudge is like constantly picking at that wound and never letting it heal

b. Holding a grudge is hard work;

c. Holding a grudge has the potential to color everything else that person does

d. Holding a grudge let’s a person live “rent free” in your head 24/7

III. Forgiveness

a. It is usually impossible to “forgive and forget”; only God can do that

b. When a deep physical wound heals, it leaves a scar. A scar is PROOF of healing.

c. Forgiveness doesn’t mean getting yourself back into an abusive relationship

d. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you have to start liking a person; but you do have to love them

e. Forgiveness is letting go of the resentment

Invitation: Someone who says “I CANNOT forgive” has never experienced God’s forgiveness. One who has been forgiven much, can forgive much.