The hand-out which accompanies the message can be downloaded from here.

There’s a tombstone in Gibraltar which reads like this

“Here lies the body of Captain Ernest Blomfield, accidentally shot by his orderly 17th May 1792 – Well done thou good an faithful servant!”

Let me remind you of something: We have an inheritance in Christ that is imperishable, undefiled, waiting in heaven for us!

that is the one of the most glorious parts of the Christian gospel!
however, sadly we don’t yet fully experience this on earth – especially when it comes on one particular area

In terms of our relationships there is one problem that lingers beneath the surface

causes confusion and heartache in homes, churches, businesses
wherever people have to live and work together
the question of forgiveness

Many doctors maintain that a significant proportion if the illnesses they treat are exacerbated by psychological factors such as

bitterness – deep resentment –
especially where close relationships are involved.

In the church there is probably nothing that so quickly and so effectively grieves the Holy Spirit as a failure to forgive.

Paul – to Ephesians “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God! [next verse] and forgive one another as God has forgiven you in Christ”

It’s not easy!

Church magazines aren’t always renown for the clarity of their communication!

“churchyard maintenance is becoming increasingly difficult and it will be appreciated if parishioners will cut the grass round their own graves!”
Cemetery “During the holiday only a skeleton staff will be available!”

Someone once said that ‘every man should have a fair sized cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends’ (not their friends!)

This morning – we’ll ask some simple questions about Forgiveness.

What does forgiveness mean?

Bible has a rich variety of words and graphic pictures describing forgiveness.

to cover over

Like a dust sheet

to cancel a debt

e.g. first part of story of unmerciful servant

multi-million pound debt – cancelled!

to release from prison or captivity

When Jesus said “forgive and you will be forgiven – this was the word he used

could equally well have said “release and you will be released”
because when we hold many people in the prison of our unforgiveness
we ourselves are trapped by our own unforgiveness until we release them – and at that moment we ourselves are released.

to cast behind your back so you can no longer see it

My son, when a boy, was once watching the Tour de France

AT that time he owned a Zaphel flask – very precious to him (a cheap piece of plastic to everyone else!)
Cyclist on ‘le tour’ threw a similar flask over his shoulder
Christopher was aghast at the sheer wantonness of this profligate cyclist!
What he hadn’t realised was that the flask, although seemingly precious to him, was an encumbrance to the cyclist
it was weighing him down!

My friends – the issues that cause unforgiveness between us are often appear to be precious as that flask appeared .

We can’t bring ourselves to let them go
“Oh, I could never concede on that point”
“I could never forgive her for doing that
But in reality they weigh us down!

To forgive means throwing that very issue out of the reckoning

Whom should I forgive?

Simon Peter (who triggered off this parable that Jesus told)

“Lord how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?”

It may be someone very close to you

member of the church, home group, family, colleague at work

Let’s recognise that forgiveness is always painful

Remember – Jesus was being crucified by people whom he deeply loved.
He said with pain and compassion “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing”
God may lead us into situations where it is very painful to forgive someone who has hurt us very much indeed.

Just as you have to crush lavender to get the full fragrance out, so our pride must be crushed as we learn to forgive and forgive and forgive and forgive

then we will experience the sweetness and fragrance of the love of Jesus in our lives.
Don’t forget that when the Lord pin-points in your heart someone who needs your forgiveness
however costly that may seem

that could be and exceedingly important moment in your life when God is doing something very precious and potentially wonderful

How often should I forgive?

21. 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?”

I expect Peter thought he was being incredibly loving and generous

After all, some Jewish rabbis taught that a man had to forgive his brother only 3 times

Think of it – if someone you know upsets / hurts you seven times in a week , could you go on forgiving?

how easily we list the faults of others
“yesterday it was this – last week it was this – last month it was this etc.”
then we mull over the ways we’ve been hurt by someone

Surely, says Peter, there must be some limits! but Jesus replied

“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (=490)

One Christian, when told about this “You just wait till the 491st time!”

Jesus means us to go on and on without limit

How often? ALWAYS

Why must I forgive?

Because God has forgiven me a million times more that I shall ever have to forgive anyone else!

Colossians 3:12. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, …

13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

There was once a forest fire in Kansas which swept through farm buildings destroying all the animals and materials in the farm.

when the fire was at last under control the fire warden went through the farm buildings and saw a hen burned to death on the ground.
With his stick he poked the hen out of the way and underneath were three little chicks – alive
Jesus – when he died on the cross took all the righteous judgement of God upon your sin and mine
he took the heat

Is there a family here, a group of people, a situation over which Christ weeps because you are unwilling to forgive?

Remember how much it cost God to forgive us!
even though we’ve hurt him hundreds, thousands, millions of times!
ought we not to forgive someone else who has hurt us just a little bit in comparison?

“Forgive” said Paul “As God in Christ has forgiven you”

What should I do?

if I’m aware of unforgiveness in my heart?

make sure you are not holding anyone in the prison of your unforgiveness

Contrast these two scriptures

Jesus “If your brother sins against you – go …”

Jesus (matt 5) “If you have sinned against your brother, they you go and put it right

if I know there is a problem of unforgiveness, it is my place to take the initiative and go and put it right

it doesn’t matter whose fault it is! – don’t wait for him to make the first move
Paul “as much as it is possible in you – live at peace with all men”

Paul urgent, Eph 4 “before the sun goes down” (nice long summer’s day – therefore 8 hours to go!)

take practical action

If there is someone with whom you have a wrong relationship

can I urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus
go and put it right
the Lord has challenged me to do this time and time again
It always hurts – none of likes the taste of humble pie

e.g. with children – cut knee – get out the TCP – “I warn you, this will sting a bit – and it does – but healing follows

and healing will follow as we rectify our relationships with people we have held a grudge against – possibly for many years.

When I was working at Purley

breakfast time – argument with Rosi
went to church to office (to escape)
I had to prepare the message for Sunday evening service
I read, thought, prayed, read – nothing
Eventually God got through “you know why I’m not speaking to you today Ian”
“Nope!” – I carried on trying
Half an hour later – still nothing on the sermon front

>>> Eventually I rang home, put the relationship right

there was revival on the telephone before there was power in the church

and the sense of God’s power on Sunday night was almost tangible!
God will bless you and bless your church more than you imagine if you and I will sort out attitudes / relationship where there is tension, bitterness or unforgiveness.

Is there anyone you need to forgive

anyone you’re still holding in that prison of unforgiveness?
put it right – if possible before you go today.

It may mean writing a letter

making a phone call
making an appointment to visit someone

Do it now!

Make sure you’re right with God

the moment you ask Him to cleanse you
you are forgiven for all sin
that is the glorious part of the gospel!

We’ll pray …

First of all I want to help those who may not be sure they have received God’s forgiveness

I ask this – sometimes the answer is “well I hope so”
but from NT. it’s our privilege to be sure about these things
it’s not arrogant – to be trusting the promise of God – he means what he says

Secondly I’d like to help those who have been Christians for some time

yet today God has been touching your mind / heart conscience. / about an attitude or relationship that is not pleasing to the Holy Spirit

[Quiet – STAND]

First – for any who are not sure about their relationship with God

you may have been to church for years – but never had that confidence that God really is your heavenly Father – your sins all forgiven
if Jesus is not a real person whom you know and love in your experience – or not quite sure about it.
If you’re willing to turn away from what is wrong and put Him first in your life
you make this prayer your own

“Lord Jesus Christ I confess that I’ve sinned many, many times, I need your forgiveness. Thank you for dying for me – to take away all my sin. I’m willing for you to be Lord of my life. And now Lord Jesus I ask you to come into my life. Come in by you Spirit – come in now to be with me for ever – Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen

If you prayed that prayer – just take a moment to thank him that he has done it. He’s there

he’s longing each day to fill you with His Holy Spirit and his love.

——–

Now if you have known the Lord Jesus but you’re not conscious of his power flowing through your life

is it because there is an attitude to someone or a relationship that needs putting right? – in your family, or in the church, or toward other groups of Christian that you’re suspicious of – and you’ve kept your distance.

Then echo this prayer –

“Lord Jesus, thank you that you have drawn me to yourself and I am your for ever – I’m a child of God. But Lord I confess that by my attitude or my unforgiveness, your spirit is grieved, and I bring before you now anything that you’ve touched my mind an conscience about this morning.
Lord give me the courage and obedience to put right anything that is wrong in my relationships – especially with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
give me the courage I need to do something about it as soon as I can
so that your Spirit will be free to move as he wills.
so that you may bring to me and to others great release
Lord Jesus move among your people here so that men and women will see that Jesus is Lord.
fill us with your Spirit and give us calvary love for one another.

Can I really forgive?