1st Things First: The Power of Forgiveness Matthew 6:12

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Albert Allan Wheeler
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1 Bethany Bible Church October 1, 2017 Guest Teacher Randy Murphy 1st Things First: The Power of Forgiveness Matthew 6:12 I. Our need of God s forgiveness II. The necessity of forgiving others Forgiveness is... Forgiveness is not... III. The forgiven must forgive It requires a commitment It requires putting off and putting on It is a demonstration of the gospel It is unconditional IV. Forgiveness requires humility

2 Questions for Discussion and Further Reflection 1. Why is prayer about a relationship not about religion? 2. How is bitterness a defiling force? 3. Why must we forgive? 4. We must forgive anything against anyone (Mark 11:25). Why is Jesus command to forgive so unconditional? 5. Why is forgiveness a separate action from reconciliation and restoration? 6. Who do you need to forgive today?

10/2/2017 The Work of Christ: ATONEMENT the removal of sin REDEMPTION setting the captive free PROPITIATION satisfying the wrath of God JUSTIFICATION declared

declared righteous and made Holy in God s eyes We are adopted as sons and belong to Christ Our need of God s forgiveness: 1. We are guilty before God Rom. 1:18 2.

3 10/2/2017 The Work of Christ: ATONEMENT the removal of sin REDEMPTION setting the captive free PROPITIATION satisfying the wrath of God JUSTIFICATION declared innocent RECONCILIATION mending what was broken We deserve wrath THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS MATTHEW 6:12 We have been forgiven past, present, future sins We are declared righteous and made Holy in God s eyes We are adopted as sons and belong to Christ Our need of God s forgiveness: 1. We are guilty before God Rom. 1:18 2. We are separated from God Eph. 2:12 3. We are totally depraved Rom. 3:10 Forgiveness is releasing an offender from my bitterness and/or wrath that they may deserve 1

4 10/2/2017 Forgiveness is Pursuing love for them I want good to come to you Revoking revenge I will not do anything that brings you harm Longing for restoration I will do all that is in my power to restore this relationship THE FORGIVEN MUST FORGIVE 1. God has forgiven my debt I could never repay 2. Other s sins against me are little compared to my sin against God 3. My forgiveness of others reveals my understanding of the Gospel Forgiveness is NOT - Based on feelings or emotions - Minimizing or forgetting - Placing it on the shelf - Removing consequences - The same as reconciling - The same as restoring Forgiveness requires a commitment 1. I will not bring it up to the offender (unless admonishment is needed) 2. I will not bring it up to others (in the form of venting or gossip) 3. I will not dwell on it myself (by having a pity-party) Forgiveness requires putting off/putting on THE PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT MATTHEW 18:23-35 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:

10/2/2017 Forgiveness is a demonstration of the Gospel Put on then, as God s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved,

Bearing with one another and, if one as a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you,

Colossians 3:12-14 Forgiveness is unconditional And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against

5 10/2/2017 Forgiveness is a demonstration of the Gospel Put on then, as God s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bearing with one another and, if one as a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14 Forgiveness is unconditional And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25 MY SIDE OF THE WALL THEIR SIDE OF THE WALL FORGIVE THE OTHER PERSON OVER TIME, WE BUILD A DOUBLE SIDED BRICK WALL 3

10/2/2017 FORGIVE THE OTHER PERSON Step One: FORGIVE the individual 1. Write a Forgiveness List of ways individual has sinned against/hurt you 2. Add to list utilizing the Forgiveness Checklist 3.

6 10/2/2017 FORGIVE THE OTHER PERSON Step One: FORGIVE the individual 1. Write a Forgiveness List of ways individual has sinned against/hurt you 2. Add to list utilizing the Forgiveness Checklist 3. Forgive individual in prayer with a witness 4. Remember to practice 3-fold commitment CONFESS YOUR PART TO GOD Step Two: CONFESS to God 1. Write a Confession List of ways you have sinned against the person you forgave 2. Add to list utilizing the Confession Checklist 3. Confess sins to God with a witness SEEK FORGIVENESS OF THE OTHER PERSON Step Three: RECONCILE With Person 1. Condense Confession List to a Reconciliation List of the sins which you need to seek forgiveness 2. Go and seek reconciliation 3. Remember to -Leave the outcome of the relationship to God -Practice biblical love toward other person -Forgive any new offenses -Practice renewing your mind 4

7 BREAKING RELATIONSHIPWALL DOWN THE MY SIDE OF THE WALL THEIR SIDE OF THE WALL intimidate THE DOUBLE-SIDED WALL IS TAKEN DOWN ONE BRICK AT A TIME Step One: Identify the individual bricks the offender has placed on their side of the wall. Remove them by forgiving each offense. (Forgiveness List) Step Two: Identify the individual bricks you have placed on your side of the wall. Confess each offense to God. (Confession List) Step Three: Seek forgiveness from person for the individual bricks you have placed on your side of the wall. (Reconciliation List) When you have sought forgiveness from the offender, you have done your part. When the offender responds with forgiveness, reconciliation takes place. The relationship may be restored over time through the rebuilding of trust.

8 CTO FORGIVENESS STEPS For an individual STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 FORGIVE the individual Release an individual from your bitterness, judgement and/or wrath 1. Have disciple write a Forgiveness List of ways individual has sinned against/hurt him 2. Have disciple add to list utilizing the Forgiveness Checklist 3. Have disciple read his list to you - expand this list 4. Read/discuss sections I-IV in Forgiving Others 5. Have disciple forgive individual in prayer with you as his witness 6. Remind disciple to uphold the 3-fold commitment 7. Explain the Renewing Your Mind Outline and have him memorize/practice it CONFESS your sin to God Agree with God, acknowledge your sin and take responsibility for your actions / attitudes 1. Have disciple write a Confession List of ways he has sinned against/hurt the person he forgave 2. Have disciple add to list utilizing the Confession Checklist 3. Have disciple read his list to you - expand this list 4. Read/summarize sections I-II in Confessing Sin; have disciple read Section III; summarize Section IV 5. Read/discuss verses about God s forgiveness 6. Have disciple confess sins to God with you as his witness RECONCILE by seeking forgiveness Seek forgiveness for your sin against him/her 1. Condense disciple s Confession List to a Reconciliation LIst of the sins for which he needs to seek forgiveness 2. Instruce disciple how to seek forgiveness 3. Address fears and possible scenarios 4. Direct disciple to seek reconciliation as soon as is possible 5. Encourage disciple to -leave the outcome of the relationship to God -Practice biblical love toward person -Forgive any new offenses -Practice renewing his mind RESTORE Both parties must be willing to move forward in relationship and seek to rebuild trust, which may require time.

Questions? Text

Questions? Text If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3