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AS WE FORGIVE

DOUGLAS, WY. 9/21/98

The Bible tells the story of many brothers.
It starts with Cain and Abel.

There is the story of Joseph and his brothers / David and his brothers / of the ascent to the throne of Israel for Solomon over his brothers.   The story of Jacob and his twin brother Esau also plays out in God’s Word.   Tracing their particular story, we find a startling pronouncement by God about modern day Esau—that is, Edom.

Amos 1:11

We see the pitiful example of the hatred and violence of Northern Ireland.

Kosovo and Serbia—U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, SEPTEMBER 21, 1998

Young Hungarians—THE COLORADOAN SEPTEMBER 6, 1998

There is also the story of other brothers in the Bible.

These brothers are called BRETHREN.

We who are called the children of God—we who have been given the very nature of God through His Holy Spirit, and we who are called brethren by Jesus Christ should behave exactly opposite to the unyielding revenge of Esau’s descendants or of the countless warring factions our modern world has inherited because hatred has prevailed!

WHY?

Because we are learning how to FORGIVE!

I’m going to talk to you about forgiveness—in particular, about how and when we

should forgive.

In the Church of God, we will witness one another’s mistakes—sins if you please—big problems and little problems.

We can harbor hatred, resentment or hurt feelings.

We can seethe and burn up inside over it.

Or we can seek a resolve.

We can forgive.

One other consideration: Some humans will perish—they will burn up in the lake of fire. That is NOT what God wants (2 PETER 3:9)

When we consider our brother, can WE stay mad?

Could we be so offended that we would wish someone to perish?

HOW WE FORGIVE:

Luke 15:11-32 The FORGIVENESS of a father.

Who is it that we are most like—the father or the brother?

Note verses 20-32

Genesis 45:1-15 The FORGIVENESS of JOSEPH.

50:15-21 Joseph was able to look to God in circumstances that most people would abandon their faith over.

ROMANS 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good together for good to those who love God, to those who are THE CALLED according to His purpose."

ROMANS 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

1 Corinthians 5: 1-5; 9-13 The FORGIVENESS of a Church.

2 Corinthians 1: 23-24; 2:1-11

7: 8-10

John 3:16 The FORGIVENESS of GOD.

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES

IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE."

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 WE are ambassadors of forgiveness!

Hosea 11:8-9 "For I am God, and not man…"

Psalm 103:6-14 "For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust."

WHEN WE FORGIVE:

1. FORGIVENESS PROMOTES LOVE:

Luke 7:36-47 (Forgiveness RESTORES)

Luke 6:27-36

  1. YOU CAN FORGIVE SOMEONE AND THEY MAY NOT EVEN KNOW!

    2. Mark 11:25-26

    Colossians 3:12-14

    Romans 12:17-21

    ROMANS 12:18 "IF IT IS POSSIBLE, AS MUCH AS DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN."
  2. FORGIVENESS IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Leviticus 19: 17-18 "You shall not hate your brother in your heart."

Matthew 18:35 "…from his heart."

Luke 17:1-4 "…you shall forgive him."

Galatians 6:1-2 "…restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness."

James 5:19-20 "…and someone turns him back."

PRESIDENT CLINTON’S "apology" will reap its own consequences. Many—if not most of America—will not forgive him until he jumps through all the hoops.

IF the President had been himself forgiving, if he had demonstrated what he sought from the nation, maybe this current day’s turmoil would have lessened or even ended.

The Bible plainly instructs us to forgive those who ask our forgiveness—as often as they ask!

The Bible also plainly tells us to forgive people—freely and from the heart!

Forgiveness is a great power we have to mend and build up our relationships.

 

Jesus Christ forgave as He was hanging on the stake—He made it possible for God to forgive ALL of mankind. (LUKE 23:34)

Stephen, as he was being stoned, cried out with a LOUD VOICE:

"Lord, do not charge them with this sin." (ACTS 7:60)

This day is the FEAST OF TRUMPETS.

It is the picturing, the rehearsing of the great and terrible day of God’s vengeance.

BECAUSE we know these things—we understand—we, as the Church of God, must LOOK FORWARD and PREPARE.

We are PROGRESSING in faith, in understanding and in the reality of the saving of mankind.   Finally, brethren, as the Church of God we must keep this instruction from Christ:

"And forgive us our debts,  as we forgive our debtors."