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Can I really forgive?

Posted By ian On In preaching,special subjects | Comments Disabled

The hand-out which accompanies the message can be downloaded from here [1].

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!

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

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

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

It’s not easy!

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

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

to release from prison or captivity

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

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

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

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

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?”

Let’s recognise that forgiveness is always painful

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus means us to go on and on without limit

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.

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

“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

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

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

When I was working at Purley

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

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

Is there anyone you need to forgive

It may mean writing a letter

Do it now!

Make sure you’re right with God

We’ll pray …

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

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

[Quiet – STAND]

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

“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 –

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