16-Forgiveness

INSIGHT

Forgiveness has both divine and human dimensions. In the divine relationship, forgiveness is, first of all, the gracious act of God by which true believers are put into a right relationship to God and transferred from spiritual death to spiritual life through the sacrifice of Jesus. It is also, in this divine dimension, the ongoing gift of God without which our lives as Christians would be "out of joint" and full of guilt. It is through this divine act of God's grace that true believers are released from being accountable for sins they confess. In terms of a human dimension, forgiveness is that act and attitude towards those who have wronged us which restores relationships and fellowship. Jesus spoke of the human dimension of forgiveness. A firm condition for the receiving of God's forgiveness is the willingness to forgive others. Two places where we see this is in the Lord's Prayer when Jesus says, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matt. 6:12) and in the parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matt. 18:12-35). Jesus clearly indicated such is the case: "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matt. 6:15). The forgiven life is the forgiving life. Human forgiveness reflects our experience and understanding of divine forgiveness. We cannot know the Christ of the Cross if we refuse to forgive. Love is what governs forgiveness. Those who love are born of God and know God (1 John 4:7). Jesus powerfully demonstrates this teaching on the cross, as He asked for forgiveness for His executioners (Luke 23:34). Paul reminded the church at Ephesus of both the grounds of their forgiveness and the basis on which they must forgive one another when he said, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Eph. 4:32).

The Attitude in Christ
Forgiveness

Key Text: Matthew 6:14

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

Theme:

The fifth petition in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 includes the clause “as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Here, our Savior shows us the necessity and importance of forgiveness and how to sustain it in the Lord. God forgives us our wrongs relative to the way we forgive those who wrong us. When we pray for pardon, we must be conscience of how we pardon! If we are to seek mercy from God, we must be ready to show mercy. Why should God should forgive the thousands of talents we owe Him, if we don’t forgive the hundreds of denarii others owe us? Christ came as Peace-Maker--not only to reconcile us to God, but to one another. Let us, therefore, not make light of the matter of personal forgiveness. For God forgives us relative to the way we forgive others.

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Do not slander your brother! Instead, go

to him, in private, and humbly speak to

him, showing him his fault.

2. Be ready to forgive any grievances! We

desire spontaneous mercy from the Lord!

Therefore, do the same!

3. Forgive unconditionally. Conditional

forgiveness is not true forgiveness.

Learn to simply say “I forgive you!”

4. Be sincere in your forgiveness. God

wants us to forgive from the heart!

May the Lord richly bless you!

Sermon Outline

Forgiveness
 I. The Cross Is Forgiveness

  A. Its the basis of Christianity
   1. His blood shed for forgiveness (Mt. 26:28)
   2. His message is forgiveness
       (Luke 24:46-47)
   3. Belief in Him brings forgiveness
      (Acts 10:43)
   4. Jesus is all about forgiveness; His people
        ought to be all about forgiveness too!

 B. The Prodigal Son's Brother (Lk 15:25-32)

  1. The parable in its context

     a. Directed to the Pharisees
         --The Father: God, the common Father
         --The brothers: mankind
     b. Older brother--reserved and educated
     c. Younger brother--impulsive, fickle

  2. The older brother's disposition
     a. His envy and complaining
         --he boasted of himself and his virtue
         --he complained of his father
         --he was irritable towards his brother

C. The father's disposition towards the
     oldest son
    a. He came out when the son wouldn't
        go into the house
    b. Very controlled, patient, and pleading
         --His love was even evident towards
            this sour, irritable kid
         --He encouraged him to come in
         --He reassured His love for him
         --He gives him a good reason for the
            joyous celebration

II. Conclusion
 1. Seek to reconcile as the father did
 2. His children shall be with him for ever
 3. All that is His is ours (Rom. 8:17)
 4. Be ready to forgive!

Small Group Study

Warm-up:

Have you recently been in a situation where you were hurt by another person and the result was anger and avoidance?

See To It Matthew 18:21-35

1. Looking at verses 21-22, what is Jesus teaching

Peter about the nature of forgiveness? How

should we forgive?

2. What prompted Peter to say “up to 7 times?”

What does this say about our nature regarding

forgiving others?

3. What is the overall theme of this parable? Read

Matthew 6:12 for further insight.

4. What major teachings do you see here in this

parable?

5. What is your insight to verse 34? Does this

meanthat punishment is temporary? Explain

withScripture.

Seeing It Closer:

1. How does the ten thousand talents and the

hundred pence (denarii) relate to us today?

2. What should be the basis of our need to readily

forgive our debtors? What would help us to be

a people of forgiveness?

Getting To It:

Go around the room and take turns sharing with each other what this parable has taught you. Pray for each other to be a people filled with compassion and mercy.

100 pence (denarii) is approx. $15.00

1 Talent (of silver) is approx. $1,600.00

10,000 talents is approx. 16 million dollars

This week's Quiet Times:

The Forgiving Life

MONDAY

This week, we will be focusing on forgiveness from the human perspective. We will be looking at four people and their remarkable display of forgiveness. Friday’s quiet time will deal with you personally, as we conclude on living the forgiving life. Let us look at the story of Joseph, Israel’s devoted son. Read Genesis 37,39-45, focus especially on chapter 37, which deals with Joseph’s brothers and their mistreatment of him and chapter 45, which deals with Joseph’s act of forgiveness towards his humbled brothers. What caused Joseph’s brothers to hate him so much? Write down all their reasons for hating Joseph. What plans did his brothers have for Joseph. What did they do him? From chapters 39-43, what do you notice about the kind of man Joseph was? Why did the Lord bless him? From chapter 45, what do you learn about Joseph’s attitude towards his brother who mistreated him? How is Joseph like Christ? Write Matthew 6:12 on an index card and memorize it. Be made aware of how you forgive. Will you be like Joseph, your brother?

TUESDAY

Today, we will be looking at Stephen, a true servant of the Lord. Read Acts chapter 6. What was happening within the growing church? What did the apostles propose to the church to solve this problem of favoritism? Why did the church choose Stephen to be one of the overseers to the daily distribution of food? What does this chapter tell you about Stephen’s reputation? Write down his characteristics. It is interesting to know the name “Stephen” signifies a crown. Now read Acts chapter 7. What else do you notice about Stephen? Was he afraid of defending the Gospel? Write down the godly qualities of Stephen from chapter 7. Why were the Sanhedrin moved to rage? How did Stephen respond to his raging executioners? Does Stephen’s statement sound familiar? Who said a similar statement? You may want to resort to a concordance for help. Write Matthew 6:14 on an index card and memorize it. Will you be like Stephen, your brother?

WEDNESDAY

Today, we will be looking at a father’s attitude towards his bitter son. Read Luke 15:11-32. How did the older brother behave towards the welcoming his younger brother? What did the father do when he learned that his son was angry and out in the field? Whom did the older son boast about? Do you think that this older son has never sinned against his father? Do you think he was being completely truthful in his claims of himself? Although the older son was negative towards his brother and dad, how did his father respond? How would the world respond to such disrespect and bitterness? How would you respond to such disrespect and bitterness? Who is this ‘father’ figuratively representing? Write Ephesians 4:32 on an index card and memorize it. Will you be like God, your Father?

THURSDAY

Today, we will be looking at the Lord’s attitude towards his merciless executioners. Read Luke 23:26-34. Sounds familiar? Remember Tuesday’s lesson? Well, now we know from where Stephen got his forgiving attitude in Acts 7:60! Rightly did Jesus say in Luke 6:40, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” What was the first statement that came out of Jesus’ mouth after He was fastened to the cross? Who was He praying for? When was the last time you prayed this way for those who have wronged you? When was the last time you pleaded with God for mercy on behalf of your debtors? How have you reacted towards those who have verbally or emotionally crucified you? Write Colossians 3:12,13 on an index card and memorize it. Will you be like Jesus, your Lord?

FRIDAY

This has been an challenging week, hasn’t it? Forgiveness is what Cross is all about. Look up in a concordance the word “forgiveness” and you will see Jesus, His blood and His message (the gospel)! Read Matthew 18:21-35. In verse 22, what is Christ teaching here regarding forgiveness? What does this tell you about God’s mercy towards you? Who does the “king” represent? Who are the servants? The thousands of talents represent what? How about the hundred denarii (pence)? Which debt is the greater? Why did God call the servant wicked? How does this relate to you? Can the debt of sin ever be paid in full without Christ? Therefore, what does verse 34 mean? Does this mean his punishment is only temporary? What is the wages of sin? How are we to forgive our brother? Are you like the king or like the unmerciful servant? Read Matthew 6:12. Write Matthew 6:15 on an index card and memorize it. Will you be as this King?