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Jasper Preston
5 years ago
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3 Introduction A. A look at a united church Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

4 Introduction B. The church had potential problems 1. Peter had denied Christ three times 2. Thomas had doubted the Resurrection 3. The women had gone to tomb to do the work of undertakers 4. Love united them to forgive and shake the world Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

5 Introduction

6 I. Forgive To Restore A Brother Matthew 18: Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

7 I. Forgive To Restore A Brother A. A simple, straightforward plan B. Your brother has sinned against you 1. You go to him alone, not telling anyone else 2. You go immediately, praying for reconciliation C. You lovingly tell your brother what divides you D. If he responds, you forgive him and are reconciled E. If he does not respond, you go to the church in an effort to gain your brother

8 II. Forgive So That Your Prayers Are Not Hindered Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

9 II. Forgive So That Your Prayers Are Not Hindered A. Effective prayer is vital to any church James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 1. The first meeting of the early church was a prayer meeting 2. When believers agree in prayer, good things happen Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

10 II. Forgive So That Your Prayers Are Not Hindered B. We cannot pray effectively unless we forgive It is obvious that every Christian who tries to pray with unforgiveness in his heart find a great wall of the sins piled up between him and God which he cannot get removed and cannot get taken out of the way until he forgives all that others have done against him. John R. Rice, Asking and Receiving, Sword of he Lord [1942]

11 II. Forgive So That Your Prayers Are Not Hindered Is a lack of forgiveness a possible cause for unanswered prayers?

12 III. Forgive So That You Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit Ephesians 4: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

13 III. Forgive So That You Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit A. Why did the early church have such great power? 1. The members were weak and imperfect people 2. The Holy Spirit was the source of their power 3. They were filled with the Holy Spirit B. When we do not forgive, we grieve the Holy Spirit 1. When we stop grieving the Holy Spirit, His power flows through us 2. Spirit-filled people are not in bondage to malice and anger C. We can forgive because we have been forgiven (v 32)

14 IV. Take Avction Who Awaits Your Forgiveness? Go To That Waiting One And You Will Not Go Alone

Applying Mercy and Forgiveness

Applying Mercy and Forgiveness Colossians 3:12-13 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one