The Story of Elizabeth Morris

Introduction• As disciples of Christ, we’ve received the

greatest forgiveness that could possible happen to a human being; having our sins washed cleaned through the baptism of Christ.

• But since we’ve received forgiveness, as disciples of Christ, we’ve been given the responsibility to forgive those who have harmed or hurt us in our life.

Sermon on the Mt- Matt 6• V. 9-15• Jesus clarifies his v 12 statement in v 14,15• That’s simple, easy to understand….somewhat

“scary” to understand because of its simplicity. CRYSTAL CLEAR.

• Our forgiveness from Christ is directly related to the forgiveness we are to give others

When it comes to forgiveness…

• WE MUST GET THIS RIGHT!!! NO “IF”, “ANDS”, OR “BUTS” ABOUT IT!!

• Jesus was all about forgiveness when he walked this earth…he exemplifies it

Luke 23:34- Luke 23:34- Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they them; for they know not what they do.” And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus was all about forgiveness• Not only did Christ teach on forgiveness, he

exemplified it in his life.• John 8:1-11- He forgives a woman who had

committed adultery.• Jesus was in the business of forgiving

others; can you say the same thing?• It’s easy to say we forgive, but are we

showing that in our lives? Christ demands it!

Forgiveness in our lives• We are the disciples of Jesus Christ, and he

expects/demands us to be about the business of forgiveness.

• People should know that we are all about forgiveness

• People should know that we’re not out to hold grudges.

• People should know that we, as Christians, are not one to hold bitterness and resentment in our heart.

Forgiveness:Forgiveness:-the -the decisiondecision to cancel a debt to cancel a debt

-the act of the will-the act of the will-a -a choicechoice

Why forgiveness:• When someone wrongs/hurts you in some way,

they take something from you/rob you from something. (Take credit card/promo at work, etc)

• Response: “I’m going to get even/ I’m going to settle the score/ I will hold that grudge over that person”

• Even if you got that item back, you still carry the emotional baggage on that person, so we must decide if we will forgive or not.

Will I forgive?• YOU CAN CHOOSE to hold that grudge,

remember that obligation, hold that debt over that person…….OR

• YOU CAN CHOOSE to set free that obligation of what was said or taken from you, release the debt, and forgive.

• Forgiveness is easier said than done at times, but required from Christ, and the right choice to make.

Hurt• Not trying to minimize the pain of the emotional scars

that some of us have.• Taken our dignity- purity-been wronged in some horrific

way- said things, done things that have wronged you, and left you with some emotional baggage.

• Having said that, what choice do you have? You cannot change the past, and cannot carry it into the future.

• Not forgiving= Cancer to the soul• “Like drinking poison and expecting other person to

die.”

Who is that person?

• Think about who is the person that has wronged you…who when the come to mind you cringe…when they are brought up in conversation you get a sour feeling in the pit of your stomach…

• Continue to have that person in the for-front of your mind throughout this sermon.

Conflict resolution- Matt 18

• 15- “ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou has gained thy brother. 16- But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one ore tow more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17- And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

• Christ here preached on UNITY/TOGETHERNESS...The Lord wants his people to live in harmony.

Conflict resolution- Matt 18 cont• 21- “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall

my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? 22- Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, until seventy times seven.”

• Peter- “What is somebody is a repeat offender? What if they continue to hurt me?”

• Peter thought his 7 times was enough, and expected Christ to say, “WOW Peter! You’ve got this thing down and figured out.”….but that wasn’t Christ’s response. (70x7=490 times)

• Don’t keep a talley, don’t keep a record, don’t put a note on the fridge.

Conflict resolution- Matt 18 cont• V.23-35• Jesus drives the point home to show how

important it is to forgive with this parable.• 10,000 talents= 1 talent was 1,000 weeks of

labor, or 20 years worth. Gold in the temple was 8,000 talents. A trillion dollars today- Cannot be repaid.

• The king canceled the debt (V.27)• V.28- 100 Pence= 100 days worth of work

The Time To Forgive Is Now!

• Because excuses for not forgiving are foolish:Because excuses for not forgiving are foolish:– ““I’ve been hurt too badly”I’ve been hurt too badly”– ““I’ll eventually get over it with time”I’ll eventually get over it with time”– "I can't forgive if I can't forget""I can't forgive if I can't forget"– "If I forgive, they will just do it again""If I forgive, they will just do it again"

The Time To Forgive Is Now!

• Consequences are devastatingConsequences are devastating– shatters relationshipsshatters relationships– fuels revengefuels revenge– brings loneliness brings loneliness – humiliates us before the Kinghumiliates us before the King

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave

you."(Ephesians 4:31-32)

I’ve forgiven When:•I’m no longer controlled by damaging emotions•I make an effort to restore the relationship•I can open up my heart to the other person•I display the example of Christ

• Hear the Word of God---Rom. 10:17• Believing In Your Heart---Heb. 11:6• Repenting Of Your Sins---Acts 2:38• Confess That Christ Is The Son of God---

Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37• Be Baptized Into Christ---Gal. 3:26-29• Be Faithful Until Death---Rev. 2:10; I Cor.

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