February 7 2016 The Word Of Forgiveness

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.

December 2 2012 Trusting Christ At Christmas

TRUSTING CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS
Luke 2:4-7

Verse 6 - There was no room for them in the inn.

Verse 7 - She gave birth to her first born, a Son. She wrapped Him in straps of cloth and laid Him in a manger.

3 WAYS TO TRUST CHRIST IN OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS

1. Look for God in the disappointment.
Luke 2:16 - So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in a manger.
Matthew 2:4 - They bowed down and Worshiped Him.

Examples:

Joseph:
Genesis 50:20 - You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.

Job:
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Blessed by the name of the Lord.

David:
Psalm 23

Paul:
Romans 5:3-5 - Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character Hope.

2. Give God your very best.
Luke 2:7 - She wrapped Him in strips of cloth and place Him in a manger.

Luke 2:23-24 - As it is written in the law of the Lord, every first born male is to be consecrated to the Lord and to offer sacrifices.

The differences between the average person and the above average person: They do their best and then some.

Psalm 30:5 - Weeping may remain for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

3. Willing to change the direction of their life.
Matthew 2:13 - When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph. Get up he said, take the Child and His mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.

Matthew 19:26 - (Jesus said) With God all things are possible.

March 6 2011 The Word Of Forgiveness

THE WORD OF FORGIVENESS

(Luke 23:33-43 - When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into our kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.")

(Psalm 32 – When I refused to confess my sins I was weak and miserable.)

(Psalm 30 – Because I was foolish, I’m bent over and bowed down, I am sad all day long.)

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 requires an intercessor.

(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 a universal need.

(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 is the ultimate example.

(Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you love your enemies.)

5. The 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.)