Matthew 16:24 NLT // Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
- You can’t carry your cross and your opinion at the same time.
Proverbs 11:24 MSG // The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
- We GIVE to WORSHIP, not GIVE to GET
Forgiveness
Luke 17:1, 3-5 // Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come… So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
- What do you do when you’re really hurt?
FORGIVENESS IS NOT:
- Minimizing the seriousness of the offense.
- Reconciliation.
- Forgetting what happened.
- Forgiveness is a one player game
Why don’t we forgive?
- We don’t think it’s fair.
Matthew 18:21-35 // Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants... This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” - Anne Lamont
- We don’t think we can do it.
Philippians 4:13 // I can do everything through him who gives me
strength.
- We don’t feel like it.
- Choices lead, feelings follow.
Forgiveness is a choice.
How do I respond?
1. Pray for them.
Matthew 5:43-44 // “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
2. Bless them.
Luke 6:27-28 // But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Romans 12:14 // Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
3. Do good to them.
Romans 12:17-21 // Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ephesians 4:31-32 // Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
- Forgiven people forgive people.
