The Abundant life that Comes Through Forgiveness

1
The Abundant life that Comes Through Forgiveness
2
What is the most appealing fruit that is found in
a Christians life?

• Jesus plainly stated that He would give every man
  who trusted Him this life. (Jn 1010 Jn
  1334-35)

3
What is the most appealing fruit that is found in
a Christians life?

• John 1010 - "The thief does not come except to
  steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come
  that they may have life, and that they may have
  it more abundantly.

4
What is the most appealing fruit that is found in
a Christians life?

• John 1334-35 - "A new commandment I give to
  you, that you love one another as I have loved
  you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this
  all will know that you are My disciples, if you
  have love for one another."

5
What is the most appealing fruit that is found in
a Christians life?

• You will find that what Jesus tells us to do will
  go against the instincts of our flesh! (Jn 1427)

6
What is the most appealing fruit that is found in
a Christians life?

• John 1427 - "Peace I leave with you, My peace I
  give to you not as the world gives do I give to
  you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
  it be afraid.

7
What is the most appealing fruit that is found in
a Christians life?

• God made us and understands our real needs.
• How we think is the key to a life that is worth
  living. Have you really got to know someone who
  is miserable and without purpose?

8
What is the most appealing fruit that is found in
a Christians life?

• Have you been around a Christian that has a
  loving, purpose-filled life?
• When we have no answers to our hurts, our guilt
  and our fears then we will live a life that is
  filled with deception.
• We have a wonderful Saviour who humbly waits at
  the door of our hearts with all the answers. Who
  will open? (Mt 1128-30)

9
What is the most appealing fruit that is found in
a Christians life?

• Matthew 1128-30 - "Come to Me, all you who
  labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
  rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from
  Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you
  will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke
  is easy and My burden is light."

10
What is the most appealing fruit that is found in
a Christians life?

• Will we really trust Him? What He asks is
  understandable but very, very hard to do. We do
  not want to be cheated.

11
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• When the Lord tells us to put on something, we
  are dealing with a learning, growing
  process. (Col 312-15)

12
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Colossians 312-15 - Therefore, as the elect of
  God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies,
  kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering 13
  bearing with one another, and forgiving one
  another, if anyone has a complaint against
  another even as Christ forgave you, so you also
  must do. 14 But above all these things put on
  love, which is the bond of perfection.

13
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
  to which also you were called in one body and be
  thankful.

14
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Until we learn to get out of ourselves then these
  things are impossible.
• Will you be cheated by showing mercy,
  longsuffering and considering another better than
  yourselves? The world says yes!
• There is a wonderful burden lifted when you are
  no longer looking to see how others have cheated
  you, or how they have let you down.

15
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Going from a child to being a parent gives us
  perspective!
• We must develop an attitude of forgiveness.
• Why did Jesus and Stephen pray for forgiveness of
  those in sin? (Lk 2334 Acts 760)

16
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Luke 2334 - Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive
  them, for they do not know what they do." And
  they divided His garments and cast lots.
• Acts 760 - Then he knelt down and cried out
  with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with
  this sin." And when he had said this, he fell
  asleep.

17
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Did they receive forgiveness without any
  repentance in their own hearts?
• No, they were later given opportunities to
  repent. (Acts 236-38)

18
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Acts 236-38 - "Therefore let all the house of
  Israel know assuredly that God has made this
  Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
  37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to
  the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the
  apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

19
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let
  every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
  Christ for the remission of sins and you shall
  receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

20
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Can we release our desire for personal vengeance
  and give it to God under all circumstances? (Rom
  1217-21)

21
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Romans 1217-21 - Repay no one evil for evil.
  Have regard for good things in the sight of all
  men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on
  you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do
  not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to
  wrath for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I
  will repay," says the Lord.

22
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him
  If he is thirsty, give him a drink For in so
  doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
  21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
  with good.

23
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• This goes against every instinct the world has
  taught us. Our failure to learn this will
  guarantee a defeated life.
• This is a must for us to move forward in a life
  of faith! (Phil 313-14)

24
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Philippians 313-14 - Brethren, I do not count
  myself to have apprehended but one thing I do,
  forgetting those things which are behind and
  reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
  14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the
  upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

25
We must Learn How to Forgive Others

• Can you do this one thing? Without it we will
  be burdened beyond measure and will be enslaved
  to past hurts.

26
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• God forgives others following repentance and
  confession. (Acts 822 1 Jn 19)

27
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• Acts 822 - "Repent therefore of this your
  wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought
  of your heart may be forgiven you.
• 1 John 19 - If we confess our sins, He is
  faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
  cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

28
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• There is no forgiveness without repentance.

29
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• Anything you can do to help another see the guilt
  of their sin and turn to God in repentance is a
  great act of selfless mercy. Please do not let
  another die in their sin. (Jn 824)

30
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• John 824 - "Therefore I said to you that you
  will die in your sins for if you do not believe
  that I am He, you will die in your sins.

31
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• We cannot forgive a sin without repentance! (Lk
  173-4)

32
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• Luke 173-4 - "Take heed to yourselves. If your
  brother sins against you, rebuke him and if he
  repents, forgive him. 4 "And if he sins against
  you seven times in a day, and seven times in a
  day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall
  forgive him.

33
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• It would be the ultimate act of personal
  vengeance to let a person walk in sin and you
  decide to let it go.
• When some think they are more loving than God and
  extend forgiveness where God does not is playing
  into Satans hand.
• There is a big difference between someone hurting
  you and someone sinning against you. (1 Jn
  34)

34
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• 1 John 34 - Whoever commits sin also commits
  lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

35
We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and
Confess Sins

• Longsuffering, bearing with another, kindness,
  humility, meekness all deal with attitudes that
  let us quickly move on from slights and hurts.

36
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• The first man decides that he will follow the
  common sense of the world.
• He will take hurts personally and dwell on them.
• He will seek a broader personal attack on the
  transgressor.
• Human standards of punishment are sought eye
  for eye probation a time of exile.

37
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• The fault is never forgotten and can be quickly
  brought up if needed.
• The first man will in time experience problems
  with his relationships. (Jas 314-15)

38
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• James 314-16 - But if you have bitter envy and
  self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie
  against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not
  descend from above, but is earthly, sensual,
  demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking
  exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

39
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• He will live in a world of throw-away people.
• He will learn to trust no one and those that know
  him will learn not to trust him!
• The second man decides to follow the mercy and
  forgiveness of Jesus.
• Any faults he sees in others he first remembers
  what Jesus did for him. (1 Tim 115-16)

40
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• 1 Timothy 115-16 - This is a faithful saying and
  worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came
  into the world to save sinners, of whom I am
  chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained
  mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show
  all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are
  going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

41
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• He wants to restore the offenders relationship
  to God and the relationship to himself. (2 Cor
  27-8, 11)

42
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• 2 Corinthians 27-8 - so that, on the contrary,
  you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest
  perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much
  sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your
  love to him.
• 2 Corinthians 211 - lest Satan should take
  advantage of us for we are not ignorant of his
  devices.

43
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• He lets the past go and has confidence in future
  path of his brother. (2 Cor 23-4 2 Thess 34
  Philemon 121)

44
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• 2 Corinthians 23-4 - And I wrote this very
  thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have
  sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy,
  having confidence in you all that my joy is the
  joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and
  anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears,
  not that you should be grieved, but that you
  might know the love which I have so abundantly
  for you.

45
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• 2 Thessalonians 34 - And we have confidence in
  the Lord concerning you, both that you do and
  will do the things we command you.
• Philemon 121 - Having confidence in your
  obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will
  do even more than I say.

46
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• He will find his marriage, his children, his
  brethren and his friends to be blessed by his
  being a son of encouragement. (Acts 436)

47
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• Acts 436 - And Joses, who was also named
  Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son
  of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of
  Cyprus,

48
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• His hurts become an opportunity to build a
  stronger faith and come even closer to God. (Job
  425-6 Ps 5116-17)

49
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• Job 425-6 - "I have heard of You by the
  hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. 6
  Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and
  ashes."
• Psalm 5116-17 - For You do not desire
  sacrifice, or else I would give it You do not
  delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of
  God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite
  heart -- These, O God, You will not despise.

50
Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt Them

• Which man are you?
• Years ago I read a tract called a better world
  begins with me.
• Are you ready to let go of your hurts and start
  trusting God!