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THE MISSION OF FORGIVNESSMatthew 18:21-35

Message Five

Thesis

• Refusing to forgive is a bitter experience that

builds a monument to self and spite.

Point 1

• We quickly reveal how open we are to God and available we are to Christlikeness by how we respond to people who have offended us.

AN EXPERIENTIAL EXEGESIS OF

YOUR BITTER BEHAVIOR1. You nurse it

AN EXPERIENTIAL EXEGESIS OF

YOUR BITTER BEHAVIOR1. You nurse it

2. You rehearse it

AN EXPERIENTIAL EXEGESIS OF

YOUR BITTER BEHAVIOR1. You nurse it

2. You rehearse it3. You are cursed from it

THE MISSION OF FORGIVENESS

1. God has already forgiven us

Eph 4:32-5:2 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore

followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved

us, and hath given himself for us

Point 2

• If you do not feel truly forgiven by God, it may be because you have not forgiven someone else.

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not

remember thy sins.

Point 3

• You will never have to forgive anybody more than God has forgiven you.

THE MISSION OF FORGIVENESS

1. God has already forgiven us2. Resentment does not work

Job 5:2 For wrath killeth the foolish man

Point 4

When you allow anger or grief or sorrow to roam freely in your heart, it leads you to end up doing stupid stuff (Job 5:2).

Eccl 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for

anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Definition

• Resentment is nothing more than stewing without doing.

Point 5• If you hold onto a hurt,

you are swallowing a self-inflicted wound.

THE MISSION OF FORGIVENESS

1. God has already forgiven us2. Resentment does not work3. Forgiveness is

something I need, too

Point 6

• If you hold onto a hurt from yesterday, you are giving the Devil and your abuser power over your life today.

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT

A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT

A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense

B. Forgiveness is not acceptance1 Peter 4:8 And above all things

have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover

the multitude of sins.

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT

A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense

B. Forgiveness is not acceptanceC. Forgiveness is not instant

restoration of trust

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT

A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense

B. Forgiveness is not acceptanceC. Forgiveness is not instant

restoration of trustD. Forgiveness is not resuming

the relationship without any changes

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT

A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense

B. Forgiveness is not acceptanceC. Forgiveness is not instant

restoration of trustD. Forgiveness is not resuming the

relationship without any changesE. Forgiveness is not

reconciliation

THE FREEDOM FOR FORGIVENESS

1. Recognize that we are all imperfect

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all.

Eccl 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth

good, and sinneth not.

THE FREEDOM FOR FORGIVENESS

1. Recognize that we are all imperfect

2. Relinquish your right to get revenge

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is

mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Point 7

• You know you have finally given it to God when the hurt does not hurt you any more.

THE FREEDOM FOR FORGIVENESS

1. Recognize that we are all imperfect

2. Relinquish your right to get revenge

3. Respond to evil with goodLuke 6:27-28 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that

curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

THE FREEDOM FOR FORGIVENESS

1. Recognize that we are all imperfect

2. Relinquish your right to get revenge

3. Respond to evil with good4. Refocus on God’s mission

Point 8

• If you do not release your offender you will begin to resemble your offender.

Job 11:13-16 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift

up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: Because

thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

Point 9

• The mission God has for you is greater than what happened to you.

For prayer

COME FORWARD