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.
