Sermons & Studies

Matthew 6: 9-13, 14 & 15 Colossians 3: 12-17 with emphasis on verse 12: There is more to FORGIVENESS than just saying to someone, "I forgive you . ." or saying to God, "I'm sorry" and expecting Him to forgive you. In verses 14 and 15, we read, "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

God does forgive us, but we cannot experience his goodness while carrying unforgiveness toward a brother or sister in our hearts. Harboring a grudge toward another is like carrying a great burden around. You cannot experience the joy of God's freeing grace if the weight of such things are pressing down on your shoulders or on your heart. How can we expect God to forgive us when we don't forgive other people?

In the verse in Colossians 3 - we read:

12 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

14 And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 And let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Point 1:

Forgiveness is an attitude. An attitude that we have toward one another as well as toward ourselves. If we have the same attitude toward each other that Christ has for us then we can be successful in "bearing with one another" and "forgiving each other." We need to clothe ourselves daily - with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience - and above all these, put on love.

Forgiveness is an attitude.

Without Forgiveness. . .

the present is hard to live for - and there is no hope for the future.

We cannot do much about the past. I mean, we cannot change things in our lives that have already happened. Times in which we hurt other people. Times in which other people said or did something to hurt us.

Again, it is like carrying a heavy burden. It is hard to live for today when we are harboring such - pain, hurt, anger, unforgiveness. The present is hard to live for. And there is no hope for the future.

AN ILLUSTRATION:

There is the story of a man, who was slowly walking along, hump backed and carrying a great burden. As he trudged through a barren landscape with his burden heavy upon his back he moaned in pain. Unable to continue on, he finally stopped and stared at the path in front of him, blurry eyes unable to focus on a distant landmark - his mind burning to find a reason to go on . . . . he let the burden fall off his back and onto the ground with a thud, and unable to move he dropped also, falling into the parched ground. He cried out in a loud voice, "Death! Oh, Death! Come Quickly!"

Suddenly, he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. Looking up he saw a strange figure. It was Death.

Death said to the bent-over man, "Did you call me?" Looking up at death, the man slowly straightened up and said to him, "Yes, I called, can you please help me put this burden up on my back so I can get going on my way?"

Point 2:

FORGIVENESS offers a new beginning. Do you sometimes feel like this guy, carrying burdens of the hurts of the past. Forgiveness offers all of us a new beginning. A chance to let go of the past, to put down those burdens and enjoy life. It allows us to enjoy the grace of God in our lives and the lives of others, and gives us the joy of serving the Lord today (in the present, as well as gives us a hope for the future.

Conclusion:

How will you handle forgiveness this week?

Clothe yourself daily with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience to forgive. Let this kind of forgiveness deliver you from their burdens of the past and serve God today with a new hope for the future.

FORGIVENESS

is a RIGHT ATTITUDE

delivered in

CHRIST'S LOVE