Forgiveness

Forgiveness Why? Follow God’s/Christ’s example/instruction. (Ps.86:5, Jer. 31:33-34, Acts 5:31, Col. 2:13-14, 3:13, Eph. 4:32) To allow personal healing and growth for both forgiver and forgiven. To preserve harmony in the congregation. (2 Cor. 2:11) If not forgive, not forgiven (Matt. 6:12-15, 18:23-34, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 6:37, 11:4) If not forgive? Destructive of individual character of both forgiver and forgiven and of church harmony. Not forgiven. Who? The believer who has repented. (2 Chron. 7:13-14, Jonah 3:5 & 10, Luke 17:3, Acts 8:22) How? Do not people sometimes claim to forgive but not really forgive, perhaps even fooling themselves? Does God? There is true forgiveness with God (Ps. 130:4) We can truly forgive with the aid of God’s Holy Spirit. Do we need to do more than just forgive? Forget/Cover (Jer. 31:33-34, Col. 2:13-14) In New Covenant God will/did forgive and forget 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins He forgives and cleanses us from all unrighteousness, Psalm 85:2, God forgave and covered sin) Comfort (2 Cor: 2:7-8, Comfort = reaffirm love for) How many times should we be willing to forgive a brother? No limit. (Matt: 18:21-22, Luke 17:4) Who alone has the power and authority to forgive sin? God/Christ. (Dan. 9:9, Mark 2:10) What does it take for a sin to be forgiven? Confession, faith and blood sacrifices to forgive sin (Lev. 4 & 5, James 5:15)

For whose sake does God forgive our sins? Who is our blood sacrifice? Jesus (Acts 13:38, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:13-14, 1 John 2:12)

How should we react to forgiveness? With Thanksgiving (Isa. 12:1) With Joy (Psalm 32:1, Rom. 4:7-8) Is there a sin that God will not forgive? When speak against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:32, Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:10) Knowingly? Biblical Examples of forgiveness Joseph forgave his brothers (Gen. 50:15-21) Jesus, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) Why should we as Christians preach the Gospel of Christ to others? So that they may receive forgiveness for their sins. (Acts 26:18) What kind of people will dwell in God’s Kingdom? Forgiven People (Isa. 33:24) End with Psalm 103