Community of Holy Friends
Work it out - Forgiveness
November 5, 2006
Pastor Brad
Dyrness
Sparks Nazarene Church
Ephesians we find Paul writing to the same group…
"The Community Of Holy Friends"
Things that will draw the saints together…
ª Bearing with one another vs. 2,
ª serving together vs. 12,
ª understanding together vs. 14,
ª speaking the truth in love vs. 15,
ª changing their lifestyle together vs. 22,
ª and in vs. 32…
… be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive, …. And then, to mention the subject at all is to be greeted with howls of anger." --C._S. Lewis
Perhaps harder to do than to say is I forgive you!
agree, repent and ask our forgiveness.
The story of Onesimus: Philemon
· Paul asked Philemon to forgive Onesimus
· Onesimus wanted to make things right between them.
· Philemon had a choice to make!
Both of them were carrying a heavy load
Onesimus - had wronged Philemon he needed forgiveness
Philemon - had been hurt and needed to forgive.
What is forgiveness not?
1. A Feeling - Should we wait until we feel like forgiving? It is a choice to obey not a feeling.
2. Forgetting - may be the result of forgiveness but it is not the means of forgiveness
Forgiving is what's required precisely when we can't forget." John Ortberg.
3. Looking past their sin excusing or pretending it didn't happen.
4. Condoning Sin - saying their sin is no big deal or its okay.
The road to forgiveness
Paul tells Philemon - as you have received forgiveness, offer it to Onesimus…
Forgiving is a
precondition for forgiveness.
It feels good to be forgiven It also feels good to forgive!
We must move from:
“I Won’t.” è“I Can’t.” è“I Don’t Want to.” è To…“I’m Willing.”
How?
þ Give it up
þ Choose it
þ Pray it
þ Say it
þ Leave it
Forgiveness is how we show God to the Lost world and to one another.