February 7 2016 The Word Of Forgiveness
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THE WORD OF FORGIVENESS
Luke 23:33-43
Verse 34 – Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
THE PROBLEM WITH SOCIETY
-We try to bury the past.
Psalm 32 – When I refused to confess my sins, I was weak and miserable.
-We beat ourselves up.
Psalm 30 – Because I was foolish, I’m bent over and bowed down, I’m sad all day long.
-We try to blame others.
Proverbs19:3 – Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord.
TRUTHS TO HELP US
1. Forgiveness begins with God.
Verse 34 – “Father.”
Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2. Forgiveness is possible because of Christ.
Verse 34 – “Forgive them.”
Hebrews 4:14 – Therefore since we have a great High Priest who has gone into heaven, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.
Isaiah 53:12 – He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
3. Forgiveness is needed by all.
Verse 34 – “They do not know what they are doing.”
2 Corinthians 5:19 – That God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.
4. This prayer sets an example for us.
Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you love your enemies.
WHAT JESUS WANTS US TO DO
-Admit our guilt.
Proverbs 20:27 – The Lord gave us a mind and a conscience, we cannot hide from ourselves
1 John 1:8 – If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
-Accept responsibility.
Psalm 51:3 – I recognize my faults. I am conscious of my sin.
James 5:16 – Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
1 John 1:9 – If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find God utterly reliable. He forgives your sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
-God forgives instantly.
Isaiah 55:7 – God is merciful and quick to forgive.
-God forgives completely.
Colossians 2:13 – He forgave us all our sins.
-God forgives freely.
Ephesians 1:7 – For by the death of Christ, we are set free.
