WEBVTT 00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:08.900 So, I want to take on a couple of topics this morning that are classic foundational tools for the spiritual life. 00:00:09.660 --> 00:00:12.700 Repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. 00:00:14.099 --> 00:00:18.460 And I want to talk about these topics because they're critical to our spiritual health, 00:00:19.199 --> 00:00:21.760 because I think they're not talked about enough, 00:00:22.580 --> 00:00:27.179 and because I think, like all congregations, we need these tools. 00:00:27.179 --> 00:00:33.840 Like all congregations, we've been hurt by things that have been said or done by others, 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:36.299 and sometimes by clergy. 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:43.840 These topics are topics that I regularly cover in healing prayer times with people, and I have for years. 00:00:44.700 --> 00:00:48.780 And I want to say to anyone who's here, anyone who's listening to this now or later, 00:00:49.460 --> 00:00:56.719 if we've talked about these topics in a prayer time, this sermon is not a subtle message to you. 00:00:56.719 --> 00:01:01.259 It's not kind of a backdoor, indirect, you know, public messaging to you. 00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:07.319 It's not because any clergy said, go talk about this, Rob, because so-and-so needs it. 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:11.260 I think this is something that all of us need to master. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:16.400 And truthfully, this sermon comes from a lot of good teaching, 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:19.019 I think good teaching that I've received over the years, 00:01:19.019 --> 00:01:22.879 but mainly through a lot of hard-fought prayer, 00:01:23.399 --> 00:01:27.920 some of which I did with others who came alongside of me to pray with me, 00:01:28.019 --> 00:01:30.899 but a lot of which was done alone before the Lord. 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:35.280 So, with this kind of intro, let me get into things. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:39.439 And I want to give you an unusual starting place for these topics, 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:40.640 the heart of God. 00:01:40.640 --> 00:01:44.379 And I want you to hear these words from Isaiah 61. 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:48.980 These were words that Jesus quoted during a service at a synagogue 00:01:48.980 --> 00:01:52.879 at the beginning of his ministry to announce his purpose for coming 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:55.400 and what his father was going to do through him. 00:01:55.980 --> 00:01:58.840 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, 00:01:59.219 --> 00:02:00.960 because the Lord has anointed me, 00:02:01.460 --> 00:02:03.939 he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:06.079 to bind up the brokenhearted, 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:09.979 to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, 00:02:10.759 --> 00:02:13.039 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:15.800 and the day of vengeance of our God, 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:17.919 to comfort all who mourn, 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:20.520 to provide for those who mourn in Zion, 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:23.460 to give them a garland instead of ashes, 00:02:24.079 --> 00:02:26.219 the oil of gladness instead of mourning, 00:02:26.860 --> 00:02:29.579 the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:32.500 They will be called oaks of righteousness, 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:34.460 the planting of the Lord, 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:36.060 to display his glory. 00:02:37.140 --> 00:02:41.600 I've referenced this part from Isaiah a few times in past sermons, 00:02:41.700 --> 00:02:43.800 or at least Jesus is quoting of it from Luke, 00:02:44.200 --> 00:02:47.719 because I always like to go back to what Jesus saw as his mandate 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:50.520 as a kind of way of framing and anchoring 00:02:50.520 --> 00:02:54.520 some of the things that I feel I want to talk about in sermons. 00:02:54.520 --> 00:02:59.000 And so there's no difference here. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:04.659 This heart of God is our starting place for understanding repentance, 00:03:05.219 --> 00:03:05.539 forgiveness, 00:03:05.740 --> 00:03:06.400 and reconciliation. 00:03:07.539 --> 00:03:09.819 What we should hear in these verses that I read 00:03:09.819 --> 00:03:11.360 is that God the Father, 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:12.560 through God the Son, 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:14.460 by God the Holy Spirit, 00:03:14.740 --> 00:03:16.159 is bringing healing of hearts, 00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:18.599 freedom to those in bondage, 00:03:19.240 --> 00:03:21.560 comfort and gladness for those who mourn. 00:03:22.020 --> 00:03:24.080 It's just who God is and what God does. 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:28.360 You should hear in these verses that the Lord's intention for you 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:32.240 is to reverse the death and decay that you might feel inside, 00:03:32.880 --> 00:03:36.720 to create praise, strength, and righteousness in you instead. 00:03:37.820 --> 00:03:41.400 The words a garland instead of ashes speaks to me in particular 00:03:41.400 --> 00:03:43.060 from this part of Isaiah, 00:03:43.560 --> 00:03:47.360 because ashes have to do with irretrievable loss, 00:03:47.860 --> 00:03:50.760 with a place of death from which there's no return. 00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:53.879 What the Lord wants to do in you this morning 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:56.739 and always is take away all that is dead in you 00:03:56.739 --> 00:04:00.199 and make you a planting of the Lord full of his glory. 00:04:01.419 --> 00:04:03.679 So reflective of the Lord's heart for us, 00:04:03.959 --> 00:04:06.159 to achieve his intentions for us, 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:08.599 the Lord has given us these powerful 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:10.560 and frankly beautiful gifts 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:13.840 of repentance and forgiveness and reconciliation. 00:04:15.399 --> 00:04:17.259 So let's take a look at each in turn. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:18.860 They're related to each other, 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:21.420 and they can work together in sequence sometimes, 00:04:21.580 --> 00:04:23.819 but they are also distinct from each other. 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:26.000 So repentance. 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:28.180 In the Gospels alone, 00:04:28.580 --> 00:04:31.600 repentance or a variant of it occurs 91 times, 00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:32.980 just in the Gospels alone. 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:36.199 You can always argue when you hear these word counts 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:38.319 about how a word is said, 00:04:38.420 --> 00:04:39.680 who's saying it in what way, 00:04:39.780 --> 00:04:41.680 but when it comes to the Gospels, 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:43.900 I can assure you the word repentance 00:04:43.900 --> 00:04:45.939 is always used in a good way. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:47.360 It's a good thing. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:50.699 And clearly, the Gospel writers and Jesus 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:52.620 talk about it a lot. 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:54.100 It's a big deal to God. 00:04:54.860 --> 00:04:56.819 In Biblical Greek, repentance, 00:04:57.360 --> 00:04:59.500 the word for repentance is metanoia. 00:05:00.220 --> 00:05:02.560 It literally means to change one's mind. 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:04.899 And I've always found this really helpful 00:05:04.899 --> 00:05:07.519 to understand what happens in repentance. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:10.839 It's not a feeling of being sorry for something. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:12.899 It's not even a nice apology, 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:14.500 well-delivered in person, 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:16.219 or maybe on a nice little note card. 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:17.659 These are all helpful, 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:20.859 but these are actually not repentance. 00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:23.959 Repentance, by Biblical definition, 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:27.419 means that you come into agreement with God 00:05:27.419 --> 00:05:30.120 that what you said or did, 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:31.899 or maybe left undone, 00:05:32.339 --> 00:05:32.959 was wrong, 00:05:33.359 --> 00:05:34.139 that it was sin. 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:35.639 And that's basically it. 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:38.639 So it's important to understand this 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:39.659 when we are battling, 00:05:39.879 --> 00:05:42.459 especially with stubborn or persistent sin, 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:44.139 whatever that sin is. 00:05:45.039 --> 00:05:46.740 Because the deeper the struggle 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:48.099 with persistent sin, 00:05:48.479 --> 00:05:51.639 the more often we may not feel sorry about it. 00:05:52.419 --> 00:05:54.360 And we may not even feel like saying sorry. 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:58.219 So a spiritual key for us in this 00:05:58.219 --> 00:06:01.599 is as persistent as your sin is, 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:04.600 as often as you fail and give in to sin, 00:06:05.220 --> 00:06:07.800 persist as much in repentance. 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:10.560 As a practice, 00:06:11.320 --> 00:06:12.080 I would urge you, 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:13.760 don't wait until the end of the day 00:06:13.760 --> 00:06:16.300 or for Sundays when we say the general confession. 00:06:17.340 --> 00:06:20.120 Keep a short account with God in real time. 00:06:20.900 --> 00:06:23.640 Repent in the moment as soon as you can do so. 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:25.600 As I said, 00:06:25.640 --> 00:06:27.680 it really is simply a choice to say, 00:06:27.780 --> 00:06:28.760 God, I agree with you. 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:29.699 What I did was wrong. 00:06:29.860 --> 00:06:31.399 However you feel about it, 00:06:32.139 --> 00:06:33.360 whatever the circumstances. 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:36.219 And I would offer to you 00:06:36.219 --> 00:06:38.180 the following language for when you repent. 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:39.939 I would say simply, 00:06:40.099 --> 00:06:41.740 Lord, I repent of, 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:43.060 and just name it, 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:44.199 plainly and simply, 00:06:44.740 --> 00:06:45.719 without excuse, 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:47.099 without justification. 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:50.420 There's no rationalization 00:06:50.420 --> 00:06:52.899 based on what the other person may have done. 00:06:54.039 --> 00:06:56.459 Repentance is simply agreeing with God 00:06:56.459 --> 00:06:58.359 that what you said or did was wrong. 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:00.779 Repentance, therefore, 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:02.739 is also something that happens primarily 00:07:02.739 --> 00:07:03.879 between you and God, 00:07:04.719 --> 00:07:06.899 which is why you can and should 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:08.519 always keep short accounts. 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:10.819 Repentance towards others 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:12.219 always comes after. 00:07:12.479 --> 00:07:13.839 It follows from the first. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:15.939 First, we clear things up with God, 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:17.799 and we clear things up with others. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:22.840 In my life, 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.259 every time we're talking about repentance, 00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:25.939 and I say, 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:26.680 in my life, 00:07:26.840 --> 00:07:27.720 people lean forward, 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:28.699 this is gonna be good, 00:07:28.960 --> 00:07:29.780 won't be that good. 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:31.660 But once upon a time, 00:07:32.020 --> 00:07:33.220 I was in undergrad, 00:07:33.540 --> 00:07:34.720 I think it was in my first year, 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:37.340 and I made a list with God 00:07:37.340 --> 00:07:39.780 of all the ways that I had wronged people. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:42.500 It was a pretty long list at the time. 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:45.939 I spent time with it over a couple weeks, 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:48.060 writing down names of people 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:49.160 and things that I'd said, 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:50.000 things that I'd done, 00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:51.680 ways that I knew I'd hurt them. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.259 And then I called, 00:07:55.220 --> 00:07:57.579 or this was the early days of email, 00:07:57.740 --> 00:07:58.620 so I mostly called, 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:00.360 but I emailed people 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:01.740 to confess to them 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:03.600 what I'd said or what I did, 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:05.860 and just to tell them I was wrong. 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:09.459 This had followed my repentance 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:10.660 before the Lord. 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:11.880 I had taken this list 00:08:11.880 --> 00:08:13.400 and I'd prayed it through with the Lord, 00:08:14.260 --> 00:08:15.420 repenting before him 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:16.680 and then turning to others 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:17.880 to confess to them. 00:08:18.820 --> 00:08:21.260 My confession and apologies to others 00:08:21.260 --> 00:08:23.240 was to clear things up with them 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:25.300 after having cleared things up with God. 00:08:27.140 --> 00:08:29.360 Forgiveness on the part of these other people 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:30.280 was not required. 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:33.080 What counted what the Lord wanted of me 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:35.500 was simply that I would agree with him 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:37.720 and with others that I had done wrong, 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:39.960 and to express that agreement 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:42.019 in confession to others. 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:44.139 I can only be responsible, 00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:46.220 and all of us can only be responsible 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:47.560 for the things we've done 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:49.899 and for the actions that we can take 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:51.879 when we're repenting or forgiving. 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:55.500 And this kind of brings us to forgiveness. 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:57.800 So like repentance, 00:08:58.160 --> 00:08:59.700 it's a big deal in the Bible. 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:01.259 I did another word count. 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:03.379 The word forgive, 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:04.419 or it's a variant, 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:06.919 is mentioned 129 times, 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:08.379 so it beats repentance. 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:10.939 But I actually find, 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:12.879 as much as we read about it 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:15.019 and the Gospels are saturated with it, 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:16.539 there's a lot of misunderstanding 00:09:16.539 --> 00:09:17.620 about forgiveness. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:19.120 So I want to lay out 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:21.039 a little bit of how I understand it. 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:22.960 So the first is, 00:09:23.200 --> 00:09:24.960 for me, forgiveness is mainly 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:25.860 a transaction. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:28.580 It's a transaction with God. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:31.399 It's a choice you make with God. 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:33.100 It has nothing to do 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:35.580 with your feelings of hurt and anger. 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:38.300 Forgiveness is also, 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:39.080 I want to tell you 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:40.680 what I think forgiveness is not. 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:42.580 Forgiveness is not saying, 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:44.399 it's okay that somebody 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:45.879 did something wrong to you. 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:47.879 It's not saying that 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:49.720 what they said or did doesn't matter, 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:51.340 or that they can do it again. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:53.220 By definition, 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:55.000 the work of forgiveness 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:56.560 has at its core 00:09:56.560 --> 00:09:57.139 an assumption 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:59.180 that something wrong has happened. 00:09:59.660 --> 00:10:00.680 It shouldn't have happened. 00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:02.019 It was not okay. 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:05.860 Forgiveness ultimately says, 00:10:06.540 --> 00:10:08.560 as a prayer to God, 00:10:08.920 --> 00:10:11.480 God, I let this person go to you 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:12.460 for you to deal with. 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:15.980 Forgiveness lets go of all claims 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:18.320 and demands to make that person 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:20.399 pay us back for what they did. 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:22.139 Without reservation, 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:23.139 caveat, 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.759 or any sort of backdoor. 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:26.639 Like repentance, 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:28.840 God asks us to forgive 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:30.419 without conditions attached. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:32.860 And like repentance, 00:10:33.059 --> 00:10:33.879 forgiveness is something 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:35.279 that happens first 00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:36.379 between you and the Lord. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:37.340 It's something that you 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:38.500 transact with the Lord. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:40.439 Whether you ever bring up 00:10:40.439 --> 00:10:41.799 this wrong with the person 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:42.379 who hurt you. 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:44.039 Let me talk about 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:45.159 some of the inner workings 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:46.279 of unforgiveness. 00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:48.840 When someone wrongs us, 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:50.899 our natural God-given reaction 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.440 to injustice is provoked. 00:10:52.940 --> 00:10:54.480 And frankly, rightly so. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:57.220 We feel hurt, angry, shocked, 00:10:57.420 --> 00:10:59.100 grieved, betrayed, and more. 00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:01.259 And in that place of hurt, 00:11:01.660 --> 00:11:04.000 our natural reaction to injustice, 00:11:04.540 --> 00:11:05.759 what the scriptures call 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:07.259 righteous indignation, 00:11:07.820 --> 00:11:09.500 when it's mixed with pride, 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:10.780 can take us off track 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:12.740 and lead us to a sense 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:13.860 of being justified 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:15.839 or entitled to not forgive, 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.639 to demand redress 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:18.500 or an apology 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.259 or repentance 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:20.600 on the part of the wrongdoer. 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:22.720 It can lead us to think 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:23.620 that we deserve 00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:24.839 to have payback 00:11:24.839 --> 00:11:25.860 or revenge 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:27.939 because we didn't deserve 00:11:27.939 --> 00:11:29.179 what the other person said 00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:29.639 or did. 00:11:29.939 --> 00:11:31.019 And the only way 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:32.019 to have justice 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:33.799 is to make that other person pay. 00:11:33.799 --> 00:11:35.799 It can feel 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:38.179 like something's unbalanced 00:11:38.179 --> 00:11:39.479 when somebody 00:11:39.479 --> 00:11:41.179 doesn't pay us back. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:42.879 And without making 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.919 that person pay, 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:46.019 it feels like 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:47.039 they get away with something 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:48.179 and that can feel unfair. 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:50.599 Payback can take 00:11:50.599 --> 00:11:51.959 a rich and amazing 00:11:51.959 --> 00:11:52.899 array of options, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:54.019 active and passive. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.620 I am frankly 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:57.779 completely versed 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:58.500 in all of them, 00:11:58.599 --> 00:11:59.679 I'm sorry to say. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:02.799 The active path 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:03.599 can be anger, 00:12:04.219 --> 00:12:04.539 yelling, 00:12:04.979 --> 00:12:05.759 talking badly 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.500 about people, 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:08.079 bringing complaints 00:12:08.079 --> 00:12:08.979 against the person. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.120 It could include violence. 00:12:11.459 --> 00:12:12.139 That's not mine, 00:12:12.339 --> 00:12:13.159 thank the Lord. 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:14.740 But it's all out there 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:15.679 and we've all seen it. 00:12:16.199 --> 00:12:17.179 The passive path 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:18.779 can be stony silence 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:19.719 and refusing 00:12:19.719 --> 00:12:20.839 to speak to someone, 00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:22.719 ignoring the other person 00:12:22.719 --> 00:12:23.439 when they're in the room, 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:25.279 harboring critical 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:26.179 or negative thoughts 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:27.139 about the wrongdoer 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:27.939 and lots more. 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:29.959 Now there is a place 00:12:29.959 --> 00:12:30.659 for complaint 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.620 or sanction 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.479 and even lawsuit 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.519 and justice 00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:36.139 in a biblical sense 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:37.639 is making things right. 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.300 But if Jesus' 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:40.500 teachings matter, 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:41.820 we need to search 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:42.920 our hearts first 00:12:42.920 --> 00:12:44.259 and test our motives 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:45.519 before the Lord first. 00:12:46.180 --> 00:12:47.440 Do the hard work 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:48.200 of forgiveness 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:49.300 so that we have 00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:50.460 the clarity of heart 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:51.500 and thought, 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:52.840 the clarity of discernment 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:53.860 to know whether 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:55.320 and what form 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:55.940 of complaint 00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:56.740 and redress 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.639 might be right. 00:12:57.639 --> 00:13:00.179 unforgiveness takes 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:01.439 our hurt and anger 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.980 and leads us to live 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:03.819 out of pride 00:13:03.819 --> 00:13:04.519 and offense, 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:06.039 the ugly cousins 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:07.379 of self-worth 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:09.460 and righteous indignation. 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:11.899 Spiritually, 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:12.879 unforgiveness 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:14.199 is like taking poison 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:15.419 and waiting 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:16.220 for the other person 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:16.679 to die. 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:19.080 What really happens 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:20.439 when we withhold 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.279 forgiveness 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:23.000 is that we die inside. 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.339 When we hold grudges 00:13:25.339 --> 00:13:26.220 and unforgiveness, 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:27.620 we harden our heart. 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:29.620 We close ourselves off 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.639 from the life of God. 00:13:31.539 --> 00:13:32.620 Unforgiveness blocks 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:33.879 prayer and healing. 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.779 It shrinks our capacity 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:36.419 for love 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.519 and compassion, 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.100 keeps us from seeing 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:40.259 others for who they are. 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:42.500 Jesus' words 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.179 at one point 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:43.939 in the Gospels 00:13:43.939 --> 00:13:44.899 are about 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:46.120 when he talks 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.039 about abiding in him 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:47.879 or that if we don't, 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:49.279 we're like a dried up branch 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.720 suitable only for the fire. 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:52.279 This is a plea 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:52.899 from Jesus 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:54.360 not to cut ourselves off 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.319 from the life of God. 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.059 And what can be said 00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:58.100 about unforgiveness 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:58.980 can be said about 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.019 refusing to repent. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:01.639 Unrepentance 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.740 also cuts us off 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.659 from the life of God. 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.879 Jesus' words 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:07.279 in the Gospel reading today 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:08.980 about unforgiveness 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:10.840 are not Jesus 00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:11.740 trying to be mean 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:12.340 or harsh. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.580 They're him 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:15.620 trying to warn us 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:17.180 of a spiritual truth 00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:18.060 out of kindness. 00:14:19.560 --> 00:14:20.700 And I'll say this also 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:22.680 from my time, 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:23.720 my years of praying 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.300 with people 00:14:24.300 --> 00:14:25.539 who have long 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.440 protracted 00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:27.620 unforgiveness. 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.480 When we cultivate 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.420 unforgiveness, 00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:31.759 it can turn to bitterness 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:32.379 and hate. 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.899 And when we do that, 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:35.940 we don't just cut off 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:36.840 ourselves from the life 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.240 of God, 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:38.180 but we make space 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:38.800 in ourselves 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.539 and our lives 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:40.259 for the demonic. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.279 We don't talk about 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.859 the demonic very much here, 00:14:43.959 --> 00:14:45.159 but it's out there 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:46.899 and it's real. 00:14:47.819 --> 00:14:49.039 And I don't say this 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:50.120 to spook people 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.319 or for any other reason, 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.319 but just to underscore 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.599 how serious 00:14:53.599 --> 00:14:55.059 unrepentance 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.240 and unforgiveness is. 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:58.419 So what do we do 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.099 with the hurt 00:14:59.099 --> 00:15:00.399 and anger 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.459 that can drive 00:15:01.459 --> 00:15:02.219 unforgiveness? 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:03.120 Because that's real 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:03.939 and it matters 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:05.039 and it needs to be 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:05.859 handled with the Lord. 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:07.500 So I want you to think 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.139 of it this way. 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:09.699 Picture your heart 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:10.479 as a bathtub 00:15:10.479 --> 00:15:11.919 full of slimy, 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.399 gunky water. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.240 That filthy water 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:15.759 is all, 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:16.439 that bathtub 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:17.120 is your heart 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:19.240 and all the filthy water 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:19.759 is the hurt 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.279 and anger 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.679 because of an offense. 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.539 The worse the offense 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:24.059 and hurt, 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.259 the more full 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.159 the bathtub is. 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:27.639 Forgiveness 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.740 is like pulling 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.879 that rubber stopper 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.819 out of the drain. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:32.679 It's a choice, 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.859 maybe a hard one, 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.099 but it's an act 00:15:35.099 --> 00:15:35.579 of the will. 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:37.759 And when that stopper 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.560 has been pulled out, 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.600 the bathtub starts 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.620 to slowly drain 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.720 of all the filthy water 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:43.220 that sat in that tub 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:44.620 for probably way too long. 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.759 This can take time. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.780 It may be necessary 00:15:48.780 --> 00:15:49.879 to keep practicing 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.560 forgiveness 00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:51.700 again and again 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:53.860 to keep that stopper 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:55.080 out, 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:56.240 to keep the drain clear 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.440 and keep the stopper out. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:58.780 And other things 00:15:58.780 --> 00:15:59.400 might come along 00:15:59.400 --> 00:16:00.320 to plug the drain. 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.720 Maybe you learn 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.540 something new 00:16:02.540 --> 00:16:04.200 about an earlier offense. 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:05.340 it comes to light 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.800 and you feel hurt again. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.420 Or the person 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:09.220 who hurt you 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:10.620 keeps hurting you 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.460 in new ways. 00:16:13.020 --> 00:16:13.940 While forgiveness 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:14.920 is a transaction 00:16:14.920 --> 00:16:16.320 where once it's done, 00:16:16.540 --> 00:16:17.460 spiritually it's done, 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:18.200 our feelings 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:19.400 take time to change. 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.820 We may need 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:21.620 to get with someone 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.259 for prayer 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.280 to let Jesus 00:16:23.280 --> 00:16:24.160 heal our hearts 00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:25.280 and scoop out 00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:25.860 all the hurt 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.280 and anger. 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:28.100 We may need 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.960 to get with a therapist 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:30.160 to process 00:16:30.160 --> 00:16:31.700 the wrong that happened 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.400 in our reactions. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:34.899 As a practice, 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.079 I've found 00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:36.799 that my ability 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.360 to forgive 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:39.079 depends on my 00:16:39.079 --> 00:16:39.879 depth of hurt. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.679 For deeper hurts, 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.699 I have to stay 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:43.279 in a posture 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.539 of forgiveness longer, 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.039 forgiving someone 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:47.659 sometimes over and over again 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.840 to keep the drain clear 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:49.679 so the Lord 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.639 can heal my heart. 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:53.120 And sometimes 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.259 the hurt is so bad 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.740 that you have to 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.860 take small steps 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.439 in your heart 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:57.980 to move towards forgiveness, 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.199 letting the Lord 00:16:59.199 --> 00:16:59.819 bring you 00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:00.819 to a place 00:17:00.819 --> 00:17:01.659 of full forgiveness. 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:02.959 forgiveness. 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:03.819 Some ways 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:04.319 of starting 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:04.960 to practice 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.480 forgiveness 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.220 could sound, 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.160 when you're deeply wounded, 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.359 can sound like this. 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.200 Lord, 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.980 I want to want 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.900 to be able 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.299 to forgive. 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.319 I want 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.680 to even want 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.879 to forgive. 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.579 And then maybe 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.299 as the Lord 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.259 works in your heart, 00:17:20.639 --> 00:17:21.279 you can say, 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:21.639 Lord, 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:23.099 I want 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.279 to forgive. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.220 And then maybe 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:26.639 as the Lord 00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:27.220 keeps working 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.720 in your heart, 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.259 you can say, 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:28.539 Lord, 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:30.139 I am now willing 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:31.080 to forgive. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.120 And then maybe 00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:33.860 you can say, 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.440 Lord, 00:17:34.520 --> 00:17:34.940 I forgive. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.380 Sometimes 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.400 a bit of alternate 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.400 language can help. 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:42.500 Some of the language 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.640 that I've liked to use 00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:44.440 instead of saying, 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:45.200 I forgive, 00:17:45.280 --> 00:17:46.340 if that feels too hard, 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:46.620 is, 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:47.259 Lord, 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:48.640 I let this person 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:49.340 go to you. 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.440 Because that's really 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.060 what it is. 00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:52.580 I relinquish this person 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.620 and what they did to you 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.400 for you to handle, 00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:54.720 Lord. 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:56.200 it was never okay. 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.940 But I do this 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:59.000 as an act of faith. 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.000 So in my life, 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:04.000 I do find 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.819 I need to forgive 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:06.720 for specific things 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.360 said or done. 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.440 I may have a hurtful 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:09.559 interaction with someone 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:11.559 and forgiving that person 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.740 in a time of prayer 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.360 with the Lord 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:14.860 might mean going over, 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.460 say, 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:15.779 five, 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.480 I'm making this up, 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:17.380 five things 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:18.640 that someone said 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.039 or did 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.900 in that interaction 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:21.140 and all the ways 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:22.059 they impacted me, 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:22.759 all the ways 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.920 that I felt about it. 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:27.660 I find driving 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.339 in D.C. 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.640 gives me 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:31.140 so much opportunity 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.200 to practice forgiveness. 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:34.140 If you feel 00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:34.920 you need to cultivate 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:35.620 this practice 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:36.559 and you want to start 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.180 with something 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.500 other than trauma, 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:39.779 drive, 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.720 take a drive 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.620 through D.C., 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.700 all the construction, 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.700 all the drivers, 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.420 the Lord will meet you 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.440 behind the wheel. 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.799 Yeah, 00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:49.400 amen. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:51.720 So, 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.279 I remember one time, 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.039 frankly, 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.980 not even one time. 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:56.039 I remember 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.379 driving somewhere 00:18:57.379 --> 00:18:59.000 and I, 00:18:59.159 --> 00:19:00.019 I'll just say how, 00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:00.359 I'm gonna, 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.980 I literally wrote down 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.779 what I prayed 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.519 when I was driving. 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:05.379 You'll deduce the situation 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:06.819 as you hear me pray this. 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:08.359 I was driving, 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.539 something happened, 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.799 my prayer was thus, 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:11.680 Lord, 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:11.740 Lord. 00:19:15.060 --> 00:19:16.180 I'm gonna just start 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:16.680 with Lord. 00:19:17.560 --> 00:19:18.560 I am not gonna use 00:19:18.560 --> 00:19:19.019 other words 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.600 at this moment, 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:19.940 Lord. 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:21.039 Lord, 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:22.360 I forgive 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:23.240 that driver 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.180 for the way 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.500 they did not move over 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.680 when my lane was ending, 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.900 for the way 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.840 they honked at me, 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.779 gave me the finger. 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:32.279 Am I allowed 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.160 to say that in church? 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.160 I'm sorry if I am. 00:19:34.320 --> 00:19:35.000 Don't tell Tommy. 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:38.140 The way they acted 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.500 like I was the one 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.400 who was in the wrong. 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.779 I forgive that driver 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:44.160 for having no regard 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:45.259 for my safety 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.660 or the well-being 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.440 of other drivers 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.200 around us 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:50.140 for their selfishness. 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:50.980 Now, 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.460 is this self-pitying? 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.339 Is this full of me? 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:53.819 Maybe. 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.220 But 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:57.140 take the point. 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.019 There's always 00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.680 lots of sides 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.299 to something. 00:20:00.919 --> 00:20:01.539 In a moment, 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:02.859 I take hurt 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.379 and anger 00:20:03.379 --> 00:20:04.200 at face value. 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.519 If I'm with someone 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.000 and praying, 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.039 or it's myself, 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.019 my brain might say, 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:09.539 you know what, 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.740 this is not a big deal. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.480 This might be 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.240 an overreaction. 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.500 That you might be 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.139 taking yourself 00:20:14.139 --> 00:20:15.279 a little too seriously. 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.519 But there's another 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.339 part of me down here 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:17.720 that says, 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:17.960 no, 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.700 I'm hurt and angry. 00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:20.579 And that's the part 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.460 that has to come 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.139 before the Lord. 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.779 The brain is right. 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.480 Yes, yes, 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.019 you're right. 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.099 It's probably 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:28.180 an overreaction 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.079 and you'll calm down 00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:29.559 in a bit. 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.679 But to keep 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:31.740 my heart clear, 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:33.000 which is what I care about, 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.919 I take those things 00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.440 to the Lord, 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.440 whether they are rational 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.279 or make sense 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.460 or self-indulgent 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:38.980 or not, 00:20:39.659 --> 00:20:40.399 and I take them 00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:41.000 before the Lord 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.799 and I pray this. 00:20:42.179 --> 00:20:42.700 And it's actually 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.460 good practice 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.819 because when the 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.740 real hurts come, 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.379 I've got some 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.139 muscle memory 00:20:48.139 --> 00:20:49.159 that I can call on 00:20:49.159 --> 00:20:50.720 because there are 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.220 other hurts 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.899 that are not 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:53.039 too much 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.059 or an overreaction. 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:54.899 They're actually 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.700 quite serious. 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:59.660 Let me talk 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.539 about reconciliation. 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:02.220 So, 00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:03.559 I don't have 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.460 any biblical stats 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.279 about reconciliation, 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.400 but I do know 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.019 it's important. 00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:09.400 Jeff talked 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.160 about reconciliation 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.100 between God 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:11.860 and people 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.440 last week, 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.319 but I'm focusing 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:14.120 on reconciliation 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:15.420 between people. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.340 Reconciliation 00:21:17.340 --> 00:21:18.640 is a repaired, 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.200 broken relationship, 00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.340 simply put. 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:23.559 And like forgiveness 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.859 can follow repentance, 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.859 reconciliation 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:27.399 can follow forgiveness, 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:29.019 but we don't live 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.899 in such a tidy 00:21:29.899 --> 00:21:30.740 and linear world. 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.220 So, 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.599 I mentioned 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.459 that we can repent 00:21:33.459 --> 00:21:34.139 and ask someone 00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:34.859 for forgiveness, 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.459 but repentance 00:21:36.459 --> 00:21:37.399 doesn't require 00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:38.159 the other person 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:38.919 to forgive you. 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.659 And similarly, 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.399 forgiveness 00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:42.299 does not require 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.079 the other person 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.399 to repent to you first. 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.500 It's possible 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.599 most of these things 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.439 happen just between 00:21:48.439 --> 00:21:49.220 us and the Lord, 00:21:49.959 --> 00:21:51.039 but this is different. 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:53.079 In the same way 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.139 that someone 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:54.899 may repent 00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:56.039 and offer an apology, 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:57.199 maybe we forgive, 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.500 it doesn't mean 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.759 that there has 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.619 to be reconciliation. 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.459 That may sound 00:22:02.459 --> 00:22:03.579 painful and unbiblical, 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.459 but let me explain 00:22:04.459 --> 00:22:04.919 a bit more. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.559 The scriptures 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.980 call and command us 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.039 to repent and forgive, 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:10.299 but we are exhorted 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.539 to reconcile 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.720 where possible. 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:14.419 Reconciliation 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:15.779 is not possible 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.799 when someone 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.899 is not repentant, 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.980 when there's 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.919 unforgiveness. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.860 but also 00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:23.060 when it's not safe 00:22:23.060 --> 00:22:24.420 to be in a restored 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.600 relationship with someone. 00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:27.080 I would never, 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.440 never ask someone 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.680 to be reconciled 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.500 with someone 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.340 who abused them, 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:32.960 no matter how much 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.480 repentance, 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.279 forgiveness, 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.100 or healing 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.640 has happened. 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.759 And in some cases, 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:38.840 the person 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:40.100 that we would like 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:41.180 to reconcile with 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:43.000 might not be someone 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.000 we're in touch with anymore. 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:46.859 Maybe they moved away, 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:48.859 maybe they've passed away. 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.779 And in those instances, 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.019 you'll never be able 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:53.259 to apologize to them 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.859 or hear their apology, 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.160 hear their repentance, 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.380 express forgiveness 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.480 to them, 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.400 and you certainly 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.539 can't be reconciled 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:01.900 to them. 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.500 Reconciliation 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:06.019 can also just be partial, 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:08.079 meaning partial restoration 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:09.000 of a relationship, 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.220 but with boundaries. 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:12.220 This is not unforgiveness. 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:14.360 This is not harboring 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.880 hurt and bitterness. 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.500 This is just putting yourself 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.299 at the right, 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.579 healthy distance 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.880 or proximity 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:21.720 to someone 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:23.079 while you continue 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.860 to work out 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:24.660 your repentance 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.440 and forgiveness 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.720 as needed 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:28.019 and while the other person 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:29.279 does the same. 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.799 It also puts you 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.839 in the right proximity 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.860 or distance to someone 00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:34.680 to give the Lord 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.779 time and space 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.860 to work out 00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:37.720 His salvation 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.500 in both of you. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:40.680 So maybe one day 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.680 it is safe and healthy 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.339 to be in a more 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.420 restored relationship, 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:45.019 but there's no guarantee 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:46.339 and there's no rush 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:46.839 on this 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.839 and no imperative. 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.660 Reconciliation 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.960 is desirable 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:52.420 but not always possible. 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.819 It may ever only 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.599 just be partial. 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.579 So let me see 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.200 if I can tie 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:59.079 some of these together. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.940 I want to remind you 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.700 that repentance 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.500 and forgiveness 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.759 are powerful gifts 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.380 from the Lord. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.960 They're not things 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.799 that God tries 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.819 to burden us with. 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.500 These are tools 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.220 for freedom. 00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:11.039 They express His heart 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:12.220 and intention for us. 00:24:13.679 --> 00:24:14.779 And I want to urge you 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.539 as a pastor, 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.720 as a shepherd 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.599 who's entrusted 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:19.220 with your spiritual care, 00:24:20.179 --> 00:24:21.819 who cares very deeply 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:23.039 that you have a close 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:24.019 and strong connection 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.579 to the Lord, 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.539 become skilled practitioners 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.559 of repentance 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.359 and forgiveness. 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:31.019 The more you practice 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.740 these things, 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.179 the more sensitive 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:34.700 to the Holy Spirit's conviction 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.580 you will become, 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.620 the more your capacity 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.340 will grow 00:24:38.340 --> 00:24:39.819 for turning to the Lord 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.580 with your hurts 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:41.519 and your wounds 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:43.400 to practice forgiveness. 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:46.380 These are great acts 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:46.920 of faith. 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:49.620 They are primarily acts 00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.519 that trust the Lord 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.539 to work in you 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.660 and others 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.819 and your situation 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.940 according to His love. 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.480 It's nerve-wracking, 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:58.259 but that's faith sometimes. 00:24:58.259 --> 00:25:02.700 So I want to close our time 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:04.000 by inviting you 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:06.839 into a bit of a guided prayer time. 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:09.359 I want to lead you 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.460 through some of these steps 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:12.960 of prayer of forgiveness. 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.799 I want to ask you 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.079 to be very honest 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.400 with yourself and the Lord. 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:20.099 Only take as many steps 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:22.039 as you feel you can take right now. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:25.160 Give space to talk about things 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.660 with the Lord 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.599 and let Him lead you 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:28.519 as far as you're willing to go. 00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:29.919 Some hurts are deep. 00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:32.639 You can't rush past hurts sometimes. 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:35.500 I'm going to pray for us 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:37.480 and then I'm going to invite you 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.079 to follow me 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.399 in a guided time of prayer. 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:41.500 I will pray a first prayer 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:44.339 where I express 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:46.240 that kind of wanting to want 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.119 to forgive. 00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:49.879 I will start by asking the Lord 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:51.119 to bring someone to mind 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:52.279 that you may need to forgive. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.299 And then as you sit with the Lord, 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.899 with this person in mind, 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:59.119 I'm going to invite you 00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:00.759 to take this first step of prayer. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.399 And if you feel comfortable, 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:04.180 do it and kind of sit with the Lord 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:06.159 and see where the Lord takes you. 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:07.839 And as you feel your heart 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.940 responding to the Lord, 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:09.940 if you feel ready, 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:12.279 I will take us on a next step closer. 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.579 And if you feel ready, 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.899 take that next step. 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:16.359 And then I'll draw our time 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.139 to a close. 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:21.460 So let me just pray for us. 00:26:23.300 --> 00:26:24.140 Lord Jesus, 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:26.820 thank you for these gifts of prayer, 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:29.740 of repentance and forgiveness, 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.660 these tools. 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.000 So I ask that you 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:34.420 pour your spirit out on us. 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.400 Come, 00:26:36.540 --> 00:26:37.860 bring to mind someone 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:40.040 who we need to forgive. 00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:41.800 I pray you be with us. 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.419 Help us bear 00:26:43.419 --> 00:26:46.879 any of the sense of hurt 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:48.159 and pain that comes 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:50.720 along with remembering this person 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.639 and the wrong they did. 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:54.559 Pray that you would be with us 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:56.579 to help us walk with you 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:58.159 and take as many steps 00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:58.819 into forgiveness 00:26:58.819 --> 00:27:01.220 as we are able at this time. 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:08.620 So I would ask 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:10.240 that you, 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.680 with this person in mind, 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:13.120 and the Lord knows 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:14.539 what the person said or did, 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.640 and the Lord fully agrees with you 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:17.500 that this was wrong. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.539 If you feel comfortable, 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:20.720 I want you to tell the Lord, 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:22.160 Lord, 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:25.100 I want 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:26.559 to want 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.259 to forgive. 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:43.839 and just kind of 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.980 seeing how your heart is 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.879 and whether you felt like 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:46.839 you could take that step 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.319 with the Lord. 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.180 If you can take 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:49.220 a next step, 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:51.000 I want to invite you to say, 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:51.839 Lord, 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.079 help me 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.819 want to forgive. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:28:14.680 and then from this place, 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.319 I want to ask you 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.079 if you feel willing 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:18.319 to take another step 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:18.819 with the Lord. 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.559 I want you to tell the Lord, 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:21.940 Lord, 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:23.660 I am willing to forgive. 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.140 And at this point, 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.160 be specific. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.740 about 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.759 the person 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.680 and what they said 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.259 or did 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.100 to hurt you. 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.040 Lord, 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:33.300 I am willing to forgive 00:28:33.300 --> 00:28:34.860 so and so, 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.600 this person, 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.960 for the way 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.540 they said 00:28:37.540 --> 00:28:38.080 or did 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:38.820 this. 00:28:38.820 --> 00:28:38.940 Amen. 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.000 Amen. 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.019 Amen. 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.080 Amen. 00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:39.100 Amen. 00:28:39.100 --> 00:28:39.180 Amen. 00:28:56.160 --> 00:29:03.080 And then as kind of a last step, 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.400 I would invite you 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:05.420 if you feel willing 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:06.040 and able 00:29:06.040 --> 00:29:08.360 to tell the Lord, 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.160 Lord, 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:12.259 I let this person 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.060 and what they did 00:29:13.060 --> 00:29:13.800 go to you. 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:15.800 I forgive them 00:29:15.800 --> 00:29:16.640 for 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:18.460 and be specific again 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:20.940 and for how 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:22.140 it made me feel, 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.600 for how it affected me. 00:29:23.600 --> 00:29:23.680 Amen. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:23.740 Amen. 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.220 Amen. 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.720 Amen. 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:24.779 Amen. 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:24.820 Amen. 00:29:24.820 --> 00:29:24.880 Amen. 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:24.920 Amen. 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:24.940 Amen. 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:24.980 Amen. 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.000 Amen. 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:26.140 Amen. 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:49.560 Now, 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.600 maybe that you need 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:51.620 to spend some time 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:52.640 in that place of prayer. 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:53.960 I'll come back 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.680 to that in a sec. 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:54.759 Amen. 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:54.800 Amen. 00:29:54.800 --> 00:29:54.860 Amen. 00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:54.900 Amen. 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:54.960 Amen. 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.000 Amen. 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.100 Amen. 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:55.140 Amen. 00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:55.200 Amen. 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.240 Amen. 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:55.259 Amen. 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.340 Amen. 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:55.380 Amen. 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:55.400 Amen. 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:55.440 Amen. 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:55.460 Amen. 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:55.580 Amen. 00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:56.120 Amen. 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:57.239 Amen. 00:29:57.239 --> 00:29:57.379 Amen. 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:57.939 Amen. 00:29:57.939 --> 00:29:58.179 Amen. 00:29:58.179 --> 00:29:59.179 Amen. 00:29:59.179 --> 00:29:59.839 Amen. 00:29:59.839 --> 00:29:59.859 Amen. 00:29:59.859 --> 00:29:59.919 Amen. 00:29:59.919 --> 00:30:00.099 Amen. 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:00.139 Amen. 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:01.939 Amen. 00:30:01.939 --> 00:30:02.239 Amen. 00:30:02.239 --> 00:30:02.399 Amen. 00:30:02.419 --> 00:30:03.299 Amen. 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:03.500 Amen. 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:03.839 Amen. 00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.539 Amen. 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.359 Amen. 00:30:06.699 --> 00:30:07.299 Amen. 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:16.119 Amen. 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.419 Amen. 00:30:16.419 --> 00:30:18.339 Amen. 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:18.799 Amen. 00:30:18.899 --> 00:30:19.239 Amen. 00:30:19.239 --> 00:30:19.459 Amen. 00:30:19.459 --> 00:30:20.039 Amen. 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.579 Amen. 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:23.879 Amen. 00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.039 Amen. 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:24.639 Amen. 00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:25.159 Amen. 00:30:25.159 --> 00:30:25.239 Amen. 00:30:25.239 --> 00:30:25.659 Amen. 00:30:25.659 --> 00:30:26.099 Amen. 00:30:26.099 --> 00:30:27.579 of the hurt and anger 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:30.639 and any other feelings you're carrying. 00:30:33.439 --> 00:30:35.439 Heal me of the hurt and anger 00:30:35.439 --> 00:30:37.099 I have carried in my heart. 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:49.519 Lord, thank you for that. 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:49.619 Amen. 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.539 This is not an easy topic 00:30:57.539 --> 00:31:02.299 but it's an important topic 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:05.859 and for all of you who took brave steps 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:07.619 towards the Lord and forgiveness 00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:11.180 I want to commend you for what you did just now 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:13.839 for the hard inner work you did 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:16.879 to take a few steps forward 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:19.000 to be closer to forgiveness with the Lord. 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:21.259 For whoever it is that hurt you. 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.980 And if you want to talk more about 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:27.039 whatever the Lord brought to mind 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:28.200 if you want to pray more 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.700 pray through more forgiveness 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:33.039 I'd be glad to listen to you. 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:36.079 I'd be glad to pray with you at some point 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.900 if you like. 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.740 Please just let me know. 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:43.559 So let me just close our time in prayer. 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.819 Lord Jesus 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:47.460 continue this work 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.860 to set us free 00:31:48.860 --> 00:31:50.640 continue to soften our hearts 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:52.140 to move us to repentance 00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:53.620 and forgiveness 00:31:53.620 --> 00:31:55.360 by your Spirit. 00:31:56.360 --> 00:31:57.259 We thank you. 00:31:59.100 --> 00:31:59.620 Amen. 00:31:59.620 --> 00:31:59.779 Amen. 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:14.460 Amen. 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:22.500 Amen.