WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.060 All right, church, would you stand with me if you're able to take the Word of God and turn to Matthew chapter 6. 00:00:09.259 --> 00:00:20.699 Matthew chapter 6, we are continuing our second to last sermon here in our series on talking with God. 00:00:20.699 --> 00:00:22.039 Talking with God. 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:35.140 Matthew chapter 6, we read in verses 5 through 13, what we call the Lord's Prayer. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:41.620 And we say the Lord's Prayer is less of a prescription and more of a pattern. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:44.399 Less of a prescription and more of a pattern. 00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:47.000 Jesus wasn't saying this is how you always have to pray. 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:52.439 But he was saying this is a pattern or a recipe for praying. 00:00:52.859 --> 00:00:55.120 Section 1 focused on God. 00:00:55.340 --> 00:00:57.060 God-focused petitions. 00:00:57.820 --> 00:01:03.359 And now we're in section 2, which focuses on life-focused petitions. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:05.760 I'm sorry, definitely not man-centered petitions. 00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:07.980 All of our prayers should be God-centered. 00:01:08.180 --> 00:01:12.599 And yet, these prayers to God, these petitions are focused on life. 00:01:12.700 --> 00:01:14.780 So let's pick this up in verse 12. 00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:16.079 Let's read it together. 00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:20.239 You follow along as I read verse 12. 00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:22.420 I'm reading from the Christian Standard Bible. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:24.900 We finished up last week saying, 00:01:25.099 --> 00:01:28.400 Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:01:28.819 --> 00:01:31.340 Give us today our daily bread, verse 12, 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:38.079 and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. 00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:42.500 Like we mentioned earlier in the service, the subject this morning is on forgiveness. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:49.680 And God spends quite a bit of time talking in this passage and throughout the scriptures on the principle of forgiveness. 00:01:49.879 --> 00:01:51.319 So let's ask him to speak to us today. 00:01:51.879 --> 00:01:53.719 God, we come to you in prayer and we thank you. 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:56.140 First of all, for who you are. 00:01:56.280 --> 00:01:59.200 We thank you for how great, how mighty, how majestic you are. 00:01:59.260 --> 00:02:05.539 And yet, how personal, how loving, how intimate you are with us. 00:02:06.539 --> 00:02:08.800 I pray that you would speak to us each from your word. 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:11.919 Let us not miss anything that your spirit has for us today. 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:16.459 And if someone here does not know you and have that personal relationship with you, 00:02:16.579 --> 00:02:18.019 let it begin today. 00:02:18.119 --> 00:02:19.239 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:19.739 Amen. 00:02:20.279 --> 00:02:21.019 You may be seated. 00:02:21.139 --> 00:02:21.819 Thanks for standing. 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:24.779 I want to share this quote with you. 00:02:25.899 --> 00:02:29.019 How many of you thought you'd come to church this morning and hear a quote from Will Smith? 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:34.599 Throughout life, people will make you mad, disrespect you, and treat you bad. 00:02:35.299 --> 00:02:39.639 Let God deal with the things they do, because hate in your heart will consume you too. 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:42.639 That's what Will Smith had to say about forgiveness. 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:45.639 And then just fairly recently... 00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:52.079 Look, I'm not trying to just pick on Will Smith, all right? 00:02:52.779 --> 00:02:54.119 That was a tough spot. 00:02:54.539 --> 00:02:56.139 Maybe not his most shining moment. 00:02:57.119 --> 00:03:01.959 If any of us holds us to 100% to the words we say all the time, none of us are going to measure up. 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:04.799 But the truth of it is, forgiveness is hard. 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:09.619 Sometimes we know the right thing to do, and sometimes it's hard to do the right thing. 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:11.959 Even when we know we should. 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:14.339 So, let's look at the Bible. 00:03:14.919 --> 00:03:16.819 Leviticus 19, verse 18. 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:26.979 Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbors as yourself. 00:03:28.339 --> 00:03:29.879 Don't take revenge. 00:03:30.219 --> 00:03:31.279 Don't bear a grudge. 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:31.719 Why? 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:33.579 Because it'll eat you up. 00:03:34.419 --> 00:03:38.619 Before long, you're on a national stage slapping somebody on worldwide TV. 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:42.840 Nelson Mandela said it this way, an interesting quote. 00:03:43.180 --> 00:03:48.300 Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping then that it will kill your enemies. 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:49.920 Anybody ever done that before? 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:55.020 I'm going to drink this poison of resentment and hope that you suffer for it. 00:03:55.480 --> 00:03:56.520 Well, good luck with that. 00:03:56.620 --> 00:03:58.200 It doesn't work that way, of course, right? 00:03:58.540 --> 00:04:00.020 Now, in our heads, we know that. 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:01.860 We know that forgiveness is the right thing to do. 00:04:01.860 --> 00:04:05.220 We know that resentment, bearing a grudge, is the wrong thing to do. 00:04:05.320 --> 00:04:10.520 And yet, it is so difficult to live that out in day-to-day life. 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:15.100 So, number one, if you're taking notes in your bulletin, there's spots there for you to fill in. 00:04:15.540 --> 00:04:19.020 Forgiveness is God's nature, not ours. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:23.680 Forgiveness is God's nature, not ours. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:26.139 Now, we know that to be true. 00:04:27.340 --> 00:04:30.860 We know it is not natural for us to forgive. 00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:31.759 What's the quote? 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:35.000 To err is human, to forgive is divine. 00:04:35.379 --> 00:04:39.259 There's a reason that that has existed for so long, because it is true. 00:04:39.899 --> 00:04:41.480 Forgiveness is divine. 00:04:41.620 --> 00:04:42.660 It is God's nature. 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:45.680 It is not your nature, nor is it mine. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:48.899 But, we should forgive. 00:04:49.699 --> 00:04:50.740 But it's hard, right? 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:57.879 C.S. Lewis had several quotes on forgiveness when I was researching for this sermon today. 00:04:58.360 --> 00:04:59.939 And this is the first one I wanted to share with you. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:04.280 Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive. 00:05:05.280 --> 00:05:05.879 Isn't that true? 00:05:06.460 --> 00:05:08.340 It's easy to tell others to forgive. 00:05:08.740 --> 00:05:12.579 It's easy to want others to forgive us. 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:18.579 It is a much harder prospect when we are the ones who have to forgive. 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:19.900 Why? 00:05:19.899 --> 00:05:21.899 Because we were wronged. 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:26.959 Whether in our own heads or in reality, we were wronged. 00:05:28.599 --> 00:05:32.679 And in those moments, we don't want to think about how much we've been forgiven. 00:05:33.239 --> 00:05:35.639 We don't want to think about all the times that we've wronged others. 00:05:36.299 --> 00:05:41.439 We just want to live in that moment of justification and self-righteousness, saying, 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:42.679 I was right. 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:43.639 They were wrong. 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:44.599 They hurt me. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:47.960 How can I possibly be expected to forgive them for that? 00:05:48.840 --> 00:05:50.760 That's our natural attitude. 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:53.200 Let's go to Matthew 6. 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:54.720 We're not going to have it on the screen. 00:05:54.720 --> 00:06:00.760 But back in your text, Matthew 6, we're going to jump down past the Lord's Prayer. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:03.560 And let's read verses 14 and 15. 00:06:03.980 --> 00:06:09.820 I think it's very interesting that when Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray, 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:12.580 he gives them verse 12. 00:06:12.780 --> 00:06:15.560 Forgive our debts, God. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:18.139 As we also have forgiven our debtors. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:24.780 But then he comes back, circles back around to this idea of forgiveness in verse 14. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:31.920 For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:34.620 That's good news, right? 00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:39.500 If you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:41.720 But verse 15 is in there too. 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:49.020 If you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses. 00:06:50.400 --> 00:06:51.800 Well, what do we do with that? 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:59.000 Does that challenge the entire understanding of the gospel, the good news of Jesus, 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:04.319 the free gift of salvation and eternal life, does this erode this now? 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:05.180 Does it shake it? 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.839 Does it mess it all up for us? 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:09.060 No, it doesn't. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:10.660 Let's look at Mark 11. 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:13.120 Mark 11 verse 25. 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:19.680 When you are praying, first, forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, 00:07:20.139 --> 00:07:23.879 so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too. 00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:26.139 Very similar, isn't it? 00:07:26.139 --> 00:07:32.639 Very similar reading to what we just read in Mark, I'm sorry, Matthew 6, 14 and 15. 00:07:33.539 --> 00:07:36.560 First, forgive those you are holding a grudge against, 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:41.579 so that your Father in heaven will then forgive your sins too. 00:07:43.180 --> 00:07:45.139 Again, this is a little scary to read. 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:48.939 So what you are saying is, if I don't forgive them, 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:51.019 then God is not going to forgive me? 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:56.279 How many of you all have read this passage before and maybe struggled with it a little bit? 00:07:56.359 --> 00:07:56.979 Yeah, thank you. 00:07:57.219 --> 00:07:57.879 Thanks for being, yeah. 00:07:59.539 --> 00:08:01.399 The rest of you just haven't read this passage before. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:01.779 I get it. 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:02.620 No, I'm kidding with you. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:03.259 I'm kidding with you. 00:08:03.979 --> 00:08:07.219 Let's go back to Matthew and jump over to Matthew 18. 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:09.379 Matthew 18. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:12.180 This one isn't going to be on the screen either. 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:14.379 We're turning our Bibles a little bit today, all right? 00:08:14.379 --> 00:08:18.379 Sometimes we put it on the screen if it's a quick reference to a verse, 00:08:18.540 --> 00:08:20.600 but this is a little bit longer passage, 00:08:20.980 --> 00:08:22.860 and if you've got a Bible in front of you, 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:25.459 if you didn't bring one, there's one in the pew in front of you. 00:08:25.719 --> 00:08:30.519 Matthew 18, verses 21, down through the end of the chapter. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:35.019 This is the parable of the unforgiving slave, okay? 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:38.200 Then Peter approached him and asked, 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:39.559 Lord, talking about Jesus, 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:43.940 how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:46.120 As many as seven times? 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:51.600 Jesus says, I tell you, not as many as seven, Jesus replied, 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:53.939 but 70 times seven. 00:08:55.639 --> 00:09:00.820 Jesus is saying there's no magical number 70 times seven, 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:02.639 but the point he was making to Peter 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:04.919 is there's never an end to the amount of times 00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:06.860 that we extend forgiveness to someone else. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:08.659 Verse 23. 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:12.820 For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:15.040 who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 00:09:15.440 --> 00:09:16.760 When he began to settle accounts, 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:21.680 one who owed 10,000 talents was brought before him. 00:09:22.780 --> 00:09:24.500 You understand that this amount of money, 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:26.280 he would never be able to pay back. 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:29.060 In his lifetime or many others, 00:09:29.280 --> 00:09:30.920 he would never be able to pay back 00:09:30.920 --> 00:09:35.100 this 10,000 talents that he owed to this king. 00:09:36.660 --> 00:09:37.660 Verse 25. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:39.639 Since he did not have the money to pay it back, 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:44.000 his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:48.519 and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. 00:09:49.579 --> 00:09:51.500 You think our world is in rough shape now? 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:56.100 This was how you settled debts back in the Bible days, okay? 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:57.419 A little scary. 00:09:58.120 --> 00:10:01.699 You, your family, everything would be sold 00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:03.339 to pay off your debt. 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:05.240 Verse 26. 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:10.180 At this news, the servant fell face down before him, 00:10:10.920 --> 00:10:13.320 humbling himself, falling down before this king, 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:15.820 and he says, be patient with me, 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:17.780 and I will pay you everything. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:22.259 Then the master of that servant had compassion, 00:10:23.420 --> 00:10:26.680 released him, and forgave him the loan. 00:10:27.680 --> 00:10:30.500 That massive debt that he could never repay, 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:34.659 the king took compassion and forgave him the whole thing. 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:36.500 So what happens? 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:40.559 The servant jumps up and throws his arms around the king 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:43.059 and says, you're my savior, I owe you forever, 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:45.080 and then went out and was as nice to everyone 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.460 as he could possibly be, right? 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.320 No, not at all. 00:10:49.580 --> 00:10:50.440 Verse 28. 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:54.039 That servant went out and found one of his fellow servants 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:57.219 who owed him a hundred denarii, 00:10:57.839 --> 00:10:59.360 a very small amount, 00:10:59.959 --> 00:11:01.799 owed him just a little bit of money. 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:04.299 But the guy didn't have it. 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:08.399 So he grabs him, starts choking him, 00:11:08.579 --> 00:11:10.360 and says, pay what you owe. 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:13.579 At this, the fellow servant fell down 00:11:13.579 --> 00:11:14.639 and began begging him, 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:16.699 be patient with me and I will pay you back. 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.500 But this other servant, 00:11:18.599 --> 00:11:20.339 who had just been forgiven so much, 00:11:20.579 --> 00:11:21.459 he wasn't willing. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:24.700 Instead, he went and threw him into prison 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:26.400 until he could pay what he was owed. 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:28.560 How does that work? 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:29.280 If you're in prison, 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:31.720 how are you going to go out and raise the money, right? 00:11:32.160 --> 00:11:34.120 Because other people have to go raise it for you 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.160 to get you out of prison. 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:41.259 When the other servants saw what had taken place, 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:43.000 they were deeply distressed. 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:46.100 They went and reported to their master 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:47.379 everything that had happened. 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:48.980 Verse 32. 00:11:48.980 --> 00:11:52.279 Then, after the master had summoned 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:55.720 that first servant back again from jail. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.800 I'm sorry, not from jail. 00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:57.620 The other guy was in jail. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.039 My bad. 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:00.759 His master then says to him, 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:03.100 you wicked servant. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:05.680 I forgave you all that debt 00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:06.820 because you begged me. 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:08.840 Shouldn't you also have had mercy 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:10.080 on your fellow servant 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:11.840 as I had mercy on you? 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:13.159 And because he was angry, 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:14.600 his master handed him over 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:16.440 to the jailers to be tortured 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:18.500 until he could pay everything that was owed. 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:21.480 His world just got a whole lot worse. 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:25.180 So also, verse 35. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:29.800 I would love if the story just ended right there. 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:31.780 But verse 35 says, 00:12:32.780 --> 00:12:34.600 so also my heavenly father 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:36.080 will do to you 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:38.500 unless every one of you 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:40.700 forgives his brother or sister 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:41.780 from your heart. 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:45.000 Y'all, these are hard passages. 00:12:46.579 --> 00:12:48.159 What do we do with these passages? 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:56.179 Again, I ask the question, 00:12:56.319 --> 00:12:58.319 does this undermine everything 00:12:58.319 --> 00:13:00.579 that we believe about God's 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:03.079 once for all death, 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:05.379 payment for our sin, 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:06.860 on that cross? 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:10.320 Does it undermine everything 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.620 we believe about God 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:13.820 being willing to forgive our sin 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:14.840 once and for all? 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:16.560 Not forgive our sin 00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:17.840 until we mess up again 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.399 and then His forgiveness is withheld? 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:21.639 Is that what this is teaching us? 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.120 No. 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:25.399 That's what 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:28.940 someone who doesn't understand 00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:32.180 the God we read in the Bible 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:33.620 could think. 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:35.379 That's what someone 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:36.179 who doesn't 00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:39.080 take the whole counsel 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:39.960 of the book 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:42.019 and not just select passages 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:42.779 could think. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.919 If you just read those passages 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:46.480 and left the rest of the Bible 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.159 on the shelf, 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.580 then sure, you could think 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:50.639 that if anyone ever 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:52.460 chooses to not forgive someone else, 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.659 then God will never forgive them. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.879 But that's not true. 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.560 1 John 1-9 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:01.019 is in the book. 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:05.460 If we confess our sins to Him, 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:06.779 He is faithful 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:09.779 and He is just. 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.259 He is correct. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:13.179 He is right in doing this. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:14.340 He is justified 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:16.919 in forgiving us our sins 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:18.319 and cleansing us 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:20.220 from all wickedness. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:22.279 All wickedness. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.299 Even the wickedness 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:24.340 of unforgiveness. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.659 Even the wickedness 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:26.759 that that wicked servant 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:29.799 showed to his fellow servant 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:31.799 after he had just been forgiven 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:32.459 so much. 00:14:32.859 --> 00:14:34.539 Even if we reach 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:36.240 that level of wickedness 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:37.339 and selfishness, 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:38.859 God says 00:14:38.859 --> 00:14:40.240 if we confess our sins 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:40.740 to Him, 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:41.899 He is faithful 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.279 and He is just 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:44.819 to forgive us our sins 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:46.539 and to cleanse us 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:48.139 from that wickedness. 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:49.139 So, 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:53.799 let's go to number two. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:55.360 Forgiveness 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.819 is a key part 00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:58.220 of God 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.439 transforming 00:14:59.439 --> 00:15:00.460 us. 00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:02.539 This is the answer here. 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.539 Number one, 00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:05.259 presented us 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:05.960 with a problem. 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:08.199 God says forgiveness 00:15:08.199 --> 00:15:09.539 is a big deal. 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:11.399 If you don't forgive others, 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:12.759 I won't forgive you. 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.299 What do we do with that? 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:16.480 Number two, 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:18.680 forgiveness is a key part 00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:20.420 of God transforming us. 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:21.560 Here's the secret. 00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:23.440 The work of the Holy Spirit 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:24.720 within us 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:26.399 will cause us 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:28.420 to forgive others. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:29.800 Does that mean 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:30.279 that if 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.639 you continue 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.920 to harbor bitterness 00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:33.500 and 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:36.019 will never forgive 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.759 someone else, 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.440 does that mean 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.279 that you are not 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.080 a child of God? 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.360 That's between you 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:40.800 and God. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:43.139 I'm just reading to you 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:44.360 what Jesus said 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:44.920 about the matter. 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:46.899 But I do know 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:47.879 that forgiveness 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:49.120 is a key part 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.579 of God 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:51.620 transforming us. 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.539 So God's 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.919 transforming work 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:55.019 within you 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:56.039 will bear 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:56.679 the fruit 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.819 of forgiveness. 00:15:59.319 --> 00:15:59.959 C.S. Lewis 00:15:59.959 --> 00:16:00.759 said it this way, 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:01.879 to be a Christian, 00:16:02.699 --> 00:16:03.459 if you call yourselves 00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:03.939 a Christian, 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.059 how many of you 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:05.699 in the room today 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:06.039 would say, 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:06.620 I'm a Christian 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.899 by uplifted hand? 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:08.699 Yeah, awesome. 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.500 You can put your hand down. 00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:10.360 I want to make sure 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.139 most of us are on 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:11.839 the same page here. 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.959 If you couldn't raise your hand, 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.519 that's alright. 00:16:14.420 --> 00:16:15.259 To be a Christian 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:16.580 means to forgive 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.920 the inexcusable 00:16:17.920 --> 00:16:19.080 because God 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:19.920 has forgiven 00:16:19.920 --> 00:16:21.000 the inexcusable 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.100 in you. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:23.580 Now, oftentimes 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.720 we don't see ourselves 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.420 that way, do we? 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.379 Well, it's easier 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.300 to point our fingers 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:29.139 at someone else 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.720 and say, 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:30.519 what they did 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.440 is inexcusable, 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.879 but it's a lot harder 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.080 for us to look 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:34.540 in the mirror 00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.019 and say, 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.100 I have done 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:37.040 the inexcusable 00:16:37.040 --> 00:16:38.139 and God 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.340 has forgiven me. 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:42.280 I can promise you that. 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.040 It's really hard. 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.899 It's really hard, 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.060 especially when you've 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:46.740 been trying to live 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.899 a clean, moral life 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.920 and have as few 00:16:48.920 --> 00:16:50.259 mess-ups as you can 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.980 and then you realize 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.820 the truth is 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:54.660 you are dirty, 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:55.480 rotten, 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.139 wicked, 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.259 to the core. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.080 And apart from God, 00:16:59.160 --> 00:16:59.960 there is nothing good 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.500 about you. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.860 And you have been 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.879 forgiven by God 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.639 so much. 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.819 And not just by God, 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:05.480 you've been forgiven 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.539 by so many others 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:08.240 of so much. 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:10.940 So that is what 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.799 being a Christian 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.420 leads you to understand 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.779 that God has forgiven 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:16.480 the inexcusable in me 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:18.019 and so then I must 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.240 forgive the inexcusable 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.299 in others 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.359 even when it's hard 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:22.079 because God 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:23.559 will help us. 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.120 His Spirit 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:27.000 within us 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.559 will bear that fruit. 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:32.460 Ephesians 4.32 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.700 Be kind 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.700 and compassionate 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.380 to one another, 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.940 forgiving one another 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:38.500 just as God 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:40.019 also forgave you 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.920 in Christ. 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.960 Just as God 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.799 forgave us 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.220 when Jesus died 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.440 on the cruel cross 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.600 and endured 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:48.700 so much pain, 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:50.019 so much heartache, 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.720 so much sorrow 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.799 as God, 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.580 His Father, 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.460 turned His back 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.700 on His Son. 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:57.960 Jesus went through 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.860 all this torment, 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.940 all this suffering 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:02.220 so He could forgive 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.039 you and me. 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:06.019 so then 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.599 we are to be kind 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.359 and compassionate 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.099 to one another. 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.759 We are to forgive 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.539 one another. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.480 God isn't asking us 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.339 to hang on a cross 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:15.180 and go through 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.259 what Jesus went through. 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.659 He's just asking us 00:18:17.659 --> 00:18:18.599 to forgive each other 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:20.119 when we are wrong 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:22.440 just as God 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.480 forgave us. 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:26.319 So how does that look? 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:28.700 It looks like 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:30.500 forgiving your spouse. 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.299 It's one of my favorite 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.119 quotes on this. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.859 A happy marriage 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.720 is the union 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:37.480 of two good forgivers. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.879 How many of you all 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:40.259 have been married 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.700 a little while 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.279 can testify 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.019 that it's important 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:43.879 to forgive one another? 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.200 Yeah? 00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:44.639 Anybody? 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.879 Yeah, of course. 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.379 Usually, 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:49.700 the problems 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:51.179 become bigger problems 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:52.639 because we won't 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:54.139 forgive each other 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.480 and move on. 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:56.860 Say, 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.140 yeah, 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:57.860 I've got to teach them 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:58.380 a lesson 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:59.560 that their behavior 00:18:59.560 --> 00:19:00.280 was wrong. 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:02.080 You know who's really 00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:02.940 good at teaching 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.400 lessons? 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.680 God. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.200 You know who's really 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.380 not good at teaching 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.420 lessons to others? 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.100 Us. 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.900 We just make things 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.160 worse most often. 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:17.779 But if we leave 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.860 the lesson teaching 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:21.340 to the Holy Spirit 00:19:21.340 --> 00:19:24.259 and we just 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.779 take the Christ-like 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:27.160 attitude of forgiveness 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:29.080 and we've got 00:19:29.080 --> 00:19:29.720 a happy marriage, 00:19:30.540 --> 00:19:31.360 whether that's 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:32.220 a husband and wife 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:35.920 or two church members 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:38.220 or parents and children 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:40.420 or a boss 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.019 and an employee, 00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:42.660 neighbors, 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.240 friends, 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.440 co-workers, 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:46.860 whatever the relationship 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.580 is, 00:19:48.100 --> 00:19:49.400 we must treat it 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:50.340 with the spirit 00:19:50.340 --> 00:19:51.340 of forgiveness. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.700 And then we'll have 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.660 the happiness 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.740 that the fruit 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.840 of the spirit brings. 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.259 Not based upon 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:58.980 the other person, 00:19:59.840 --> 00:20:00.680 but based upon 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:02.580 God working in us. 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:04.420 Romans chapter 12. 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:04.900 Would you go there 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:05.460 with me again? 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:06.820 Romans 12. 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.880 How many of y'all 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.740 are starting to recognize 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.640 this passage now? 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:13.480 Romans 12 too? 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.140 We've been doing it 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:15.960 for months. 00:20:16.780 --> 00:20:18.240 Like almost every Sunday 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:20.400 going to Romans 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:21.020 chapter 12 00:20:21.020 --> 00:20:21.580 and verse 2. 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.600 Any translation 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.420 that you read, 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.340 any Bible translation 00:20:25.340 --> 00:20:26.200 that you read 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.940 in this passage 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:28.120 is going to be good. 00:20:28.520 --> 00:20:30.000 But my personal favorite, 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.880 just for the wording's sake, 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:34.420 is the New Living Translation. 00:20:34.540 --> 00:20:35.160 So that's what I'm going 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:36.320 to read from right now. 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:39.399 Don't copy the behavior 00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:40.519 and the customs 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.439 of this world. 00:20:41.439 --> 00:20:42.639 But let God 00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:43.980 transform you. 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:45.019 There's that 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.579 transforming work 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.399 of God 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:49.379 leading us 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:50.480 from not being willing 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:50.980 to forgive 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.439 to forgiveness 00:20:52.439 --> 00:20:53.299 through the work 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.819 of the spirit. 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.119 So, verse 2, 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:57.059 let God transform you 00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.279 into a new person 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.259 by changing 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.399 the way you think. 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.159 I'm not, 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.399 now I'm no longer 00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:03.279 looking for revenge. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.599 That was my old way 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:05.039 of thinking. 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.399 I'm not bitter anymore. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.500 That was my old way 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:07.960 of thinking. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.779 I am purposing 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:11.460 in my heart 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.559 to let God 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.660 transform me. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.940 And maybe He hasn't 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.319 fully transformed me yet, 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.779 but He's working on me 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:19.420 and I'm going to let Him 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.680 change the way I think. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.480 Then you will learn, 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.079 verse 2, 00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:25.039 to know God's will for you, 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:26.039 which is good 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.779 and pleasing 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:28.119 and perfect. 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.240 Look down at verse 3. 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.899 Because of the privilege 00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:32.559 and authority 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.500 God has given me, 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.799 I give each of you 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.440 this warning. 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:37.399 Don't think of yourselves. 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.839 Don't think you are better 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.919 than you really are. 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:40.819 Be honest 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.679 in your evaluation 00:21:41.679 --> 00:21:42.500 of yourselves, 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.759 measuring yourselves 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.700 by the faith 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:46.059 God has given us. 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.940 That's a great reminder. 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.619 Be honest 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:50.519 in how you look 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.139 at yourself 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:52.200 when someone else 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.960 has wronged you. 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.419 Remember that 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.259 you've wronged others. 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.819 You've been forgiven much 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.879 and so you must 00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:59.279 then forgive much. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.379 Go down to verse 9. 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.779 Go down to verse 9. 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.839 Don't just pretend 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:04.139 to love others. 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.799 Really love them. 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.920 Hate what is wrong. 00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:09.099 Hold tightly 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:10.000 to what is good. 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.079 Love each other 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:12.559 with genuine affection 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:15.899 and take delight 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:17.779 in honoring each other. 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:20.039 We would say 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.940 we love each other 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.940 as members 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.859 of the body of Christ 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.680 in Henrietta, Texas. 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.519 We would say 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.379 we love each other. 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.399 But so often 00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:27.240 we don't show 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.639 that genuine affection 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.820 and love. 00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:31.360 That comes from 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:32.280 the Holy Spirit of God. 00:22:33.320 --> 00:22:34.180 And He's not 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:35.400 transforming us. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.060 Changing the way 00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:38.620 we think 00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:40.820 like He wants to 00:22:40.820 --> 00:22:41.400 because we're 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.300 throwing up those walls. 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.800 Down to verse 14. 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.600 Bless those 00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:48.660 who persecute you. 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:50.660 Recognize this 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.300 from the sermon 00:22:51.300 --> 00:22:53.300 from the 00:22:53.300 --> 00:22:54.320 Sermon on the Mount 00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:54.720 when Jesus 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.980 talked about this. 00:22:56.080 --> 00:22:56.600 Bless those 00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:57.559 who persecute you. 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.839 Don't curse them. 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.740 Pray that God 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.519 will bless them. 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:02.779 Verse 15. 00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:03.279 I'm sorry, 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:04.019 verse 17. 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.980 Never pay back evil 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.959 with more evil. 00:23:07.959 --> 00:23:08.519 Now we're getting 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:10.439 really down to it here 00:23:10.439 --> 00:23:11.939 with the forgiveness theme. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.819 Never pay back evil 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:15.219 with more evil. 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:17.359 Do things in such a way 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:18.839 that everyone can see 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:20.480 you are honorable. 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:23.240 Do all that you can 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.559 to live in peace 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.799 with everyone. 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.799 Dear friends, 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:28.899 never take revenge. 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.419 Leave that 00:23:31.419 --> 00:23:32.059 to the righteous 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:33.299 anger of God. 00:23:34.419 --> 00:23:35.639 For the scriptures say, 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.839 I will take revenge. 00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:39.539 I will pay them back 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.200 says the Lord. 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.000 Yeah, but God, 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.579 you haven't done it 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.500 according to my timeline. 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:43.799 You haven't done it 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.339 fast enough. 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.359 They're not suffering. 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:47.200 They're loving their life. 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.779 They don't feel 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:49.019 one bit sorry 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.019 for what they did. 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.779 Leave that to God. 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.599 Leave that to God. 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.939 Don't let them 00:23:55.939 --> 00:23:57.279 eat you up inside 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:58.000 any more than 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.659 they already have. 00:23:59.059 --> 00:24:00.339 Don't let them 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:02.159 ruin your life 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.159 any more 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:04.599 than they already have. 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.519 Leave that to God. 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:06.959 He said, 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:08.759 I will pay them back. 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:10.980 Instead, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.639 verse 20. 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:13.359 Boy, 00:24:13.419 --> 00:24:14.299 this is a mind shift. 00:24:14.939 --> 00:24:16.119 Such a mind shift. 00:24:16.459 --> 00:24:17.199 If your enemies 00:24:17.199 --> 00:24:18.000 are hungry, 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:18.959 feed them. 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:21.079 Anybody want to 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.000 invite your worst enemy 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.500 over for dinner tonight? 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.279 Me neither. 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.140 I got them. 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:29.000 I don't want to 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.860 invite them up here. 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.420 I just gave you a clue. 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:36.700 Instead, 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:37.680 if your enemies 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.180 are hungry, 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:38.900 feed them. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.000 If they are thirsty, 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.340 give them something 00:24:41.340 --> 00:24:42.000 to drink. 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.940 In doing this, 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.600 you will heap 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:45.980 burning coals 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.700 of shame 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:48.079 on their heads. 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.860 Don't let evil 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.599 conquer you, 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.599 but conquer evil 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:55.019 by doing good. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.640 You realize 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.579 that it's not about you. 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.140 It's not about me. 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.640 It's not about us. 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:04.180 It's about the greater work 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.240 of the kingdom of God. 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.360 And sometimes, 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.279 evil will come 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.079 against us. 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:10.759 But the victory 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:12.779 is not in 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.839 winning against 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.659 that person. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.599 The victory 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:17.139 is God's work 00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:18.399 going on anyway. 00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.480 The victory 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.619 is God's love 00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:22.099 outshining that dark 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.859 anyway. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.579 The victory comes 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.319 when God 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.220 still continues 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.119 to see 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:27.980 your heart 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.159 chasing after Him 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:29.879 and saying, 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:31.079 yes, I was wrong. 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.599 Yes, I was mad 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.159 in that moment. 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.699 Yes, I hated it 00:25:34.699 --> 00:25:35.559 and I struggled 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.259 not to hate 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.960 that person. 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:40.240 But I understand 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.740 that though my flesh 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.399 is weak, 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:43.839 I want the Spirit 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.759 within me 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.740 to truly make me 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.279 different 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:49.119 than Joe Blow 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:49.639 next door. 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:53.099 And I want 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.919 the love of God 00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:55.259 to shine 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:56.099 through forgiveness 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:57.980 to this person 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.019 in this situation. 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.539 I'm still working 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.039 on this, y'all. 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.419 There's people 00:26:02.419 --> 00:26:03.460 that I still struggle 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.059 to forgive 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.980 in my life. 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.179 But God can. 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.799 He is strong enough. 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.799 He can help us 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.519 through that struggle 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.759 and we can reach 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.240 a place 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.160 of forgiveness. 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:16.060 Corrie Ten Boom, 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:16.880 a woman who was 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.460 persecuted 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:21.680 because she was a Jew, 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:24.320 suffered things 00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:24.799 that you and I 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.560 probably never will. 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.940 She said a profound 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.860 quote on forgiveness. 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.060 Forgiveness is an act 00:26:30.060 --> 00:26:30.799 of the will 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:32.359 and the will 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.319 can function 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:34.200 regardless 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.240 of the temperature 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.259 of the heart. 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:38.359 Our heart is weak. 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.839 Our heart is deceitful. 00:26:39.919 --> 00:26:40.799 It will deceive us. 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.139 It will lead us astray. 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.480 But when we make 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.240 God's will 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.879 our will, 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.639 we can be strong 00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:48.500 enough to overcome 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.539 the temperature 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.220 of our heart 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.039 which might be 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.720 ice cold 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.519 toward that person. 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.720 And instead, 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.960 we can feed them. 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.319 We can give them 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:57.079 something to drink. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.220 We can show love 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.640 to them 00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.240 which will 00:26:59.240 --> 00:26:59.779 absolutely 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.960 confound them, 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:02.039 confuse them. 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:03.000 Like, what? 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.620 Why are you 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.440 being this way to me? 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:08.880 By the power of God. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.400 C.S. Lewis, 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.339 this is his last quote 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:13.220 on forgiveness 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.620 that we're going 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.000 to share today. 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.420 Getting over 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.519 a painful experience 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.279 is much like 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.319 crossing monkey bars. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:20.920 Kids in the room 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.680 just perked up. 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.079 Monkey bars? 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.880 I like monkey bars. 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.200 Some of y'all 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.839 got to think back 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.259 a little bit 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.880 to the last time 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.660 you did monkey bars. 00:27:29.620 --> 00:27:30.500 We're able to do 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:30.940 monkey bars 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.440 without just 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:32.460 immediately dropping off. 00:27:33.520 --> 00:27:34.720 You have to let go 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.560 at some point 00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:36.520 in order to move forward. 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.060 Isn't that true? 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.800 Remember when you're 00:27:38.800 --> 00:27:39.500 teaching your kids 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.000 monkey bars 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.720 for the first time 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.560 or when you were a kid 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.980 and doing monkey bars 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.760 for the first time 00:27:43.760 --> 00:27:44.880 and you just kind of freeze? 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.460 It's like, 00:27:47.540 --> 00:27:48.040 man, I know, 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:49.160 I know I got to let go 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:49.940 but I feel like 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.440 if I let go 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.040 I'm going to fall. 00:27:52.300 --> 00:27:53.340 At some point 00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:54.600 you've got to let go 00:27:54.600 --> 00:27:55.640 to move forward. 00:27:56.280 --> 00:27:57.460 So here's the application. 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:59.640 Are my prayers 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.680 being limited 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:02.660 because I'm not letting go 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:04.380 and letting God 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.300 change me? 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:07.500 I can't move forward 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:10.700 because I'm not letting go. 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.720 What they did 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.460 was too hurtful. 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:17.040 I'm still suffering 00:28:17.040 --> 00:28:18.660 for what somebody did to me. 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:24.220 and you're going to 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.980 continue to suffer. 00:28:26.120 --> 00:28:27.540 We are going to continue 00:28:27.540 --> 00:28:28.180 to suffer 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.920 until we let go 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:32.019 and let God change us. 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.600 He can do it 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:35.240 but he's got to change 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.920 the way we think. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.820 He's got to change us 00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:38.560 from the inside 00:28:38.560 --> 00:28:40.720 and let his will 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.600 be stronger 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.680 than ours. 00:28:43.300 --> 00:28:44.140 Would you pray with me 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.640 in this moment? 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:46.280 God, 00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:47.420 whatever is going on, 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.140 whatever bitterness, 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.080 whatever anger, 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:52.300 whatever resentment 00:28:52.300 --> 00:28:55.100 is being held tightly 00:28:55.100 --> 00:28:56.440 in hearts 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:56.940 in this room 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.420 this morning. 00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.440 I don't believe 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.220 it's any accident 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.320 that you laid it 00:29:01.320 --> 00:29:01.759 on my heart 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.420 to preach through 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:03.680 the Lord's Prayer 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.580 and lead our church 00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.620 into a season of prayer 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.579 and I'm confident 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.639 that there is forgiveness 00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:08.639 that needs to happen 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.219 in this room. 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.799 For the next few minutes 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.779 we're not going to stand. 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.599 Sometimes we stand 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.159 and sing. 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.619 We're going to keep 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.519 our seat this morning. 00:29:18.719 --> 00:29:20.119 For the next few minutes 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:22.379 would you work on hearts 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.719 just to keep their heads bowed, 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.739 keep their eyes closed 00:29:24.739 --> 00:29:25.699 to shut out distraction 00:29:25.699 --> 00:29:26.939 and just focus 00:29:26.939 --> 00:29:28.679 on what you would have them 00:29:28.679 --> 00:29:30.059 to do in forgiving. 00:29:31.419 --> 00:29:32.079 I'm going to do 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.859 the same thing, Lord. 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.959 Start with me. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:37.079 Go throughout my family, 00:29:37.219 --> 00:29:38.099 throughout the other families 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:38.759 in this church, 00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:40.579 the individuals in this church 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:43.019 and let this community 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.879 be impacted 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:46.479 by a forgiving body 00:29:46.479 --> 00:29:47.219 of believers 00:29:47.219 --> 00:29:48.119 at First Baptist. 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.399 Maybe there's phone calls 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:51.979 that need to be made 00:29:51.979 --> 00:29:52.759 after this service. 00:29:53.459 --> 00:29:54.439 Maybe there's conversations 00:29:54.439 --> 00:29:55.199 face to face 00:29:55.199 --> 00:29:55.919 that need to happen. 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.899 But God, I pray 00:29:57.899 --> 00:29:59.779 that you would go ahead 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:02.899 and work in us, Lord. 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:07.019 The music plays. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.319 We're going to sing 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:09.339 one verse of a song 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:12.199 and then just have 00:30:12.199 --> 00:30:12.919 some quiet prayer. 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.799 And we'll be out of here 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.479 in a couple minutes 00:30:15.479 --> 00:30:16.259 and we'll go to lunch. 00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:18.279 But I pray that God's Spirit 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.959 would lead us 00:30:18.959 --> 00:30:19.519 to forgiveness. 00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:23.000 Maybe there's somebody 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.539 in this room 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.419 that needs to be forgiven 00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:25.000 of their sin. 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:28.619 We talked about Jesus 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.559 dying on the cross. 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.700 Easter's coming up. 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.779 We're going to celebrate him 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:33.019 rising from the dead 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:34.259 and we know that he's alive today 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.460 and hears us when we pray. 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.319 But while our heads are bowed, 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.359 would you be bold enough 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.279 to slip your hand up 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.599 and say, 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.900 I need Jesus to forgive me 00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:42.579 of all my sin. 00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:43.960 I need to become his child today. 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:44.960 Thank you. 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.180 Anybody else? 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.580 You can put your hand down. 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.019 Thank you. 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:52.100 If that's you, 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.180 while everybody's 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:54.740 seated and praying, 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.380 I'd love for you 00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:57.420 to slip out the back doors 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:58.279 and I'll be in the back 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.140 to talk to you 00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:00.840 just for a moment 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:01.820 about how you can know 00:31:01.820 --> 00:31:03.799 that you're forgiven 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:05.799 and that God is your Father. 00:31:07.580 --> 00:31:08.560 For the rest of us, 00:31:08.600 --> 00:31:10.100 would you continue on in prayer? 00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.980 Brother Greg's going to lead us 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:13.039 in a verse of a song. 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:14.299 You can sing along softly 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:14.920 while in your seat 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.640 if you'd like to. 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.220 But right now, 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.580 let God have his way 00:31:18.580 --> 00:31:19.259 in your heart.