June 7-8, 2018 FORGIVENESS “How do we Handle Offense& Forgiving” GPL-LG

1. What offense did you experience recently? How did you handle the situation?

1. What lesson did you learn about forgiving? � 2. If you were to forgive or ask forgiveness from someone who would that be? Share and Pray with your group.

PRAYER

1. Lord help us to understand so that freely we can forgive. Give us a heart like Yours Father so that we can forgive the unforgivable.

2. Allow us Lord to bear with one another and forgive each other as you have freely forgiven us. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Glorious Presence of the Lord Global Ministries Riyadh, KSA (June 7-8, 2018)

THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS “How Do We Handle Offense & Forgiving”

-Week 2-

Colossians 3:13 (NIV) - ‘13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

If you were to rate how easily you get offended, what would be your rate from 1-10 (10 being the highest)? Why?

June 7-8, 2018 FORGIVENESS “How do we Handle Offense& Forgiving” GPL-LG

WORD Micah 7:18-19 New King James Version (NKJV) 18 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?

He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. [a] 19 He will again have compassion on us and will subdue our iniquities.

You will cast all [b]our sins into the depths of the sea.

This place is full of offensive creatures is an offense full place, no matter how good you are, or think you are good. Offense happens all the time with no excuse and exemptions. You may not be offensive to others but that does not exclude you to be offended in any way by someone. There is no offense free world on earth, even God the creator of all still get offended by men. “And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.” WHAT IS OFFENSE AND ITS NATURE?

1. An Offense is any act that brings annoyance, displeasure, or resentment 2. A lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings of others 3. An Act of Attacking others- in sports they engage an opposing team with the objective of scoring

points or goal 4. The state of being insulted or morally outraged Matthew 13:54-58

While offenses are inevitable and often prove to be negative, we find that the Lord’s most useful servants had to learn to overcome offenses and eventually theses experiences perfected them for greater usefulness.

JOSEPH MOSES DAVID

1. Joseph – had numerous occasions to be offended by his brothers, by Potiphar’s wife, by the cupbearer and others. Had he taken the bait he would have become a bitter revengeful man. But somehow, he overcame and rose to a higher perspective, so he could say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish (His purpose).” Gen 50:20

2. Moses- tried his best to address his people’s wrongs but it backfired, and no doubt he was offended at the Lord. But the forty years in the wilderness it took him to overcome this offense prepared him, so he could overcome the murmuring of the Israelites.

3. David was left until last to be asked to appear before Samuel. Before he fought Goliath, his brothers mocked him, Saul misjudged him, but he did not take the bait of offense and remained useful to the Lord. David had at least one narrow escape from offense. He was saved from the trap of offense by Abigail. In 1Sam 25, he was offended by Nabal and was on his way to take revenge. Only the humble, gracious entreaty of Abigail rescued him. There is a possibility that David would have forfeited his future of he had fully swallowed the bait in this case. Sometimes our spouses or caring friends can save us from offense if we are open and willing to hear and obey.

While offense appears to be a negative experience, God in His sovereignty can use it for great gain. – when we are working through an offense, we learn access to a much deeper experience of His love, forgiveness and sovereignty (Rom.2:4). Just as unforgiveness shuts us off from God’s forgiveness, so forgiveness brings renewed and deeper accesses to God’s forgiveness. The more forgiven the greater and deeper the love (Luke 7:43) At times we invite the Lord to deal with and expose us and show us what is in us that is not of Him. Little do we realize that one of the most effective ways for Him is to do this is through offense. How else can I earn how self -centered I am and how much anger and ego are still in me? - when they hurled insults at Jesus he did not retaliate; when He suffered He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly (1Peter 2:23). Let us grasp the fact that when we are in a state of offense, the primary value lies not in what is wrong with the other person or what they should do or change. The greater value for me is to learn what my response is saying about me. What can I learn about the Lord and about myself in this experience? When I allow the Holy Spirit to reveal my condition and the need in my life, He can show me how far I am from His unconditional love and forgiveness. When I ask and receive His all sufficient grace, I gain the unsearchable riches of Christ. Why Should You forgive Them? -The loss was too great. – The abuse was too severe. -The betrayal was too huge. It seems like every hope and dream you had for the future is gone, and your life will never be what you planned. Because we dwell too much on what the others has done over our lives, all those pain, and hurts. And on top it all these people whom you think have hurt you, they don’t seem to care; - They’ve spoken no regret. As if they are not aware that they have offended you. Worst, they thought nothing is happening at all, all along you were hurting inside. FOUR Reasons to FORGIVE the Unforgivable:

1. Jesus Commanded It… - Luke 6:37-38 New International Version (NIV) 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

2. God has Forgiven You… Ephesians 4:31-32 New International Version (NIV) 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

3. Forgiveness Unites and Strengthens… John 17:23 New International Version (NIV) 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

4. Forgiveness Heals and Frees… - James 5:16 New International Version (NIV) 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

5 Truths to help you forgive the unforgivable: 1. Forgiveness-does not excuse the wrong. 2. You don’t have to tell the person you’ve forgiven them. 3. Remember that hatred and resentment only prolong pain 4. Pray for Strength to forgive 5. Choose to Forgive- is an act of will, a deliberate act of love, mercy and grace. Your decision.

Conclusion: With the Grace and Mercy shown to us, we are always able to start new with God. When we rent, we are given full forgiveness of our sins because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Considering our new beginning, God commands that in return, we forgive others and extend grace as we have been shown grace. It can be one of the hardest things we face in life! The pain and hurt others cause us is real and great. But, the pain of living with bitterness and unforgiveness can poison your soul and destroy you. When we forgive others of their offense, we are not saying what they did was ok, but we are releasing them to God and letting go of its hold on us. Let Go and Let GOD.