WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.919 What we're talking about here today is not just within marriage, but it's for everyone. 00:00:04.919 --> 00:00:09.320 because forgiveness is something we all must deal with. 00:00:10.060 --> 00:00:13.660 ! All of us face, because somebody's going to offend you, somebody's going to hurt you. 00:00:14.200 --> 00:00:16.940 Those are realities of life. 00:00:17.059 --> 00:00:18.260 I don't think we can... 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:25.740 There's nobody in here this morning who hasn't had something happen within their family or within 00:00:25.740 --> 00:00:27.400 their work environment. 00:00:27.399 --> 00:00:34.519 There's always something when it regards this idea of necessity for forgiveness, but it 00:00:34.519 --> 00:00:36.899 begins in that structure of the family. 00:00:37.100 --> 00:00:42.759 Because when husbands and wives display and practice forgiveness, you know what? 00:00:42.780 --> 00:00:45.780 It raises another generation that understands what it means. 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:48.340 Well, how do you apply forgiveness? 00:00:48.519 --> 00:00:49.259 What is it? 00:00:49.619 --> 00:00:51.420 What does God have to say about it? 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:53.759 These are important elements. 00:00:53.759 --> 00:00:59.159 And this idea of demonstrating and seeing what forgiveness looks like. 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:06.060 You know, oftentimes parents, when their siblings get after one another, you know, and siblings 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:08.379 are great at offending the other one, you know. 00:01:08.780 --> 00:01:10.640 It's just one of those things that just happens. 00:01:11.219 --> 00:01:13.079 But I want you to understand, as a parent, what do you do? 00:01:13.180 --> 00:01:14.500 Well, you got to go tell them you're sorry. 00:01:14.659 --> 00:01:15.420 You know, what are you trying to do? 00:01:15.420 --> 00:01:17.079 You're trying to teach them forgiveness. 00:01:17.960 --> 00:01:24.960 But, you know, we need to be careful that we teach them biblical forgiveness and what that means and what it doesn't mean. 00:01:25.980 --> 00:01:29.760 Because forgiveness is an area a lot of people, I think, are very confused about. 00:01:30.900 --> 00:01:38.099 There's a lot of confusion when it comes to forgiveness because they seem to think that forgiveness means it didn't happen. 00:01:38.099 --> 00:01:45.419 And I want you to understand, when you forgive somebody, it doesn't mean what took place or what the offense was didn't happen. 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:53.079 You're not releasing them from the reality that it happened. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:57.579 You're releasing them from the retribution that you desire to get even. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:03.379 Because that's really where forgiveness in the core of that is. 00:02:03.439 --> 00:02:05.900 And we're going to see that play out here today. 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:10.319 And oftentimes we see this and learn this first in family. 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:11.900 You know, how to resolve conflict. 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:13.219 How to resolve hurt. 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:22.360 And, you know, I want you to understand, forgiveness allows two sides that have been offended to be reconciled. 00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:28.600 That's the ultimate dynamic of forgiveness is the fact it takes two sides who have been offended. 00:02:29.660 --> 00:02:32.240 One may have offended the other or hurt the other one. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:35.620 But forgiveness is the first step in reconciliation. 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:39.140 Because in Scripture, you always find God's goal is reconciliation. 00:02:40.580 --> 00:02:42.820 God's objective is reconciliation. 00:02:43.160 --> 00:02:47.800 It was His objective through Jesus Christ that we might be reconciled to Himself. 00:02:48.760 --> 00:02:51.200 We see this play out throughout the Scripture. 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:55.919 And, you know, when you think about what happens, you know, when forgiveness is absent. 00:02:57.039 --> 00:03:03.679 You know, I think we have a lot of people who have a misunderstanding of forgiveness because it's been absent within the households. 00:03:04.399 --> 00:03:07.819 It's been absent amongst their parents and their grandparents. 00:03:08.519 --> 00:03:11.759 And amongst those that they are around and it's broken. 00:03:12.179 --> 00:03:17.959 Because when we consider what's taught about it is important of how they think about it. 00:03:18.259 --> 00:03:20.599 And how they process these things. 00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:30.079 You know, but think about how does forgiving one another, how does that impact and restore relationships. 00:03:31.500 --> 00:03:36.379 And I want you to understand when relationships are restored properly, God is glorified. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:39.579 Because remember, God is all about reconciliation. 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:42.599 Bringing offended parties together. 00:03:42.759 --> 00:03:45.459 I mean, that's exactly what took place through Jesus Christ. 00:03:45.460 --> 00:03:54.360 The offended party was brought back into reconciliation within a relationship with Christ. 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:58.020 And we see here this picture here this morning. 00:03:58.260 --> 00:04:05.319 In Colossians chapter 3, we see some statements made here about forgiveness that we're going to look at. 00:04:05.379 --> 00:04:09.520 Because here it describes the necessity of forgiveness. 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:13.740 Forgiveness both in our walk with Christ and our relationship with others. 00:04:14.380 --> 00:04:19.280 I want you to understand forgiveness affects everything about you. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:21.680 It impacts everything about you. 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:25.000 So if you found Colossians chapter 3 this morning, let's go ahead and stand together. 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:28.579 In honor of the reading of the Word of God, we'll pick up here in verse 12. 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:30.379 Here this morning. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:31.900 Read down a few verses. 00:04:31.899 --> 00:04:33.299 It says this in verse 12. 00:04:33.299 --> 00:04:46.479 Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. 00:04:46.859 --> 00:04:52.339 If any man have quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:58.519 And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 00:04:58.919 --> 00:04:59.500 Let's pray. 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:17.680 Heavenly Fathers, we come before you today, Lord, as we look at this concept, the application of forgiveness in our lives, Lord, the necessity that it must be there to operate even within our relationships, one with another, especially within a marriage. 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:23.339 Lord, you understand and you reveal these things. 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:25.779 Lord, you display what it means. 00:05:25.779 --> 00:05:33.579 Lord, we pray we might apply those things both to our lives personally, but also in our relationships with others. 00:05:33.679 --> 00:05:40.539 Lord, that we might understand the necessity and the application of forgiveness in our lives. 00:05:40.619 --> 00:05:43.059 And Lord, we just give you all the praise in Jesus' name. 00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:44.119 Amen. 00:05:44.719 --> 00:05:45.479 You may be seated. 00:05:45.619 --> 00:05:52.139 You know, as we look here this morning, we're going to take some time to examine how this idea of forgiveness, 00:05:52.139 --> 00:05:55.240 forgiveness, because I want you to see here, forgiveness, you might look at it this way. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:05:57.560 If you get burned, what do you do? 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:01.300 You usually take an ointment or something to put on it that begins the healing. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:09.099 Forgiveness is like that balm that makes provision for healing to take place. 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:18.960 Forgiveness is essential in that nature, because without it, relationships cannot be reconciled one to another. 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:22.180 Forgiveness is an essential element of that. 00:06:22.640 --> 00:06:29.780 And the reconciliation, our relationships, but especially in marriage, because marriage is where people learn. 00:06:30.260 --> 00:06:33.080 They learn what forgiveness looks like. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:35.820 You say, preacher, why are people... 00:06:35.820 --> 00:06:37.340 You're talking about forgiveness in marriage. 00:06:37.339 --> 00:06:37.919 You know what? 00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:41.379 If you live with somebody sooner or later, you know what? 00:06:41.419 --> 00:06:43.679 You're going to be offended. 00:06:44.739 --> 00:06:46.239 Or you're going to take offense. 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:52.699 You're going to take offense at something or what someone said, what someone did. 00:06:54.339 --> 00:06:54.620 You know? 00:06:54.779 --> 00:06:57.500 You might love that person you married, but you know what? 00:06:58.479 --> 00:07:02.819 There's going to be times that you're not going to like them so much because of things that go on. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:07.659 Because sometimes, either intentional or unintentionally, you can offend the other. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:18.719 When we realize that that can take place, we need to understand that forgiveness is essential because forgiveness reflects Christ's love. 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:21.879 Forgiveness reflects Christ's love. 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:22.800 Look at our text here. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:25.659 Look at verse 13 here this morning. 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:31.400 At the end of verse 13, and we'll cover all this, but I want you to see here what it tells us. 00:07:31.520 --> 00:07:32.300 It says this. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:41.220 If any man have quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 00:07:41.760 --> 00:07:44.580 You know, when we consider something here, because here it is. 00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:52.800 Paul here is writing to the church at Colossae, and he's telling them, hey, your instruction here is to forgive as Christ forgave. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:55.040 Now, we need to stop and think about what does that mean? 00:07:56.620 --> 00:07:58.600 What's the picture that we see there? 00:07:58.699 --> 00:08:06.860 Because if we're to forgive as Christ forgave, and the reality is, as Christ has forgiven you, is the picture that we see. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:12.000 When we consider Christ as the example, it reveals the nature of forgiveness. 00:08:13.139 --> 00:08:13.319 You know? 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:15.500 I want you to consider. 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:16.519 Stop and think for a moment. 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:23.680 When you first mention forgiveness, and one of the concepts people have is forgiveness is something that they have to merit. 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:25.599 If they do this, I'll forgive. 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:30.439 Oftentimes, we attach merit to forgiveness. 00:08:30.919 --> 00:08:38.379 I want you to understand, in the biblical picture and Christ picture, merit is nowhere connected to forgiveness. 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:42.980 We don't merit God's forgiveness. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:49.399 It's nothing that we have done that Christ forgives us. 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:56.259 You know, when we consider what Christ has done, even as, do ye, the Bible tells us. 00:08:56.340 --> 00:08:57.279 You know, think about that. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:00.580 As Christ forgave you, you need to forgive. 00:09:00.580 --> 00:09:08.320 You know, Paul here is speaking about something important because he's speaking in the context of your very salvation. 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:16.180 He's speaking in what God did as part of us being able to be reconciled to him. 00:09:17.800 --> 00:09:24.200 And when we miss that, it impacts not only our relationship to God, but also our relationship to others. 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:32.020 And this picture is important to understand because forgiveness is not merit-based. 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:39.040 It's simply a voluntary release of the offending party of any retribution or to get even. 00:09:39.940 --> 00:09:45.400 You're releasing them from your penalty. 00:09:46.560 --> 00:09:50.960 You're releasing them from saying, I want to get back at you. 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:56.860 Any relationship that's going to reconcile, the first thing that's going to take place is the offended party is going to say, 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:59.060 I'm not going to hold a grudge against you. 00:10:00.420 --> 00:10:02.740 I'm going to forgive you so I don't become bitter. 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:06.160 Lack of forgiveness always leads to bitterness. 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:09.360 Anger, resentment. 00:10:09.780 --> 00:10:13.440 We see a lot within society today of bitter, angry, resentful people. 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:14.580 You know where that stems from? 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.180 Forgiveness. 00:10:17.060 --> 00:10:19.480 But preacher, you don't know what somebody else did to me. 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:26.440 I want you to understand, it doesn't matter what somebody else did to you when it comes to forgiveness. 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:30.300 Forgiveness is as much for your sake as it is for theirs. 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:34.879 Because forgiveness allows you to think about it properly. 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:43.279 Allows you to understand what's taking place and keep a right spirit and a right attitude. 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:45.879 You know, it's interesting. 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:52.500 The root word of forgiveness, we have a translated forgiveness here, is based in the same word that we all love, and that's grace. 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:54.199 It's from the same root. 00:10:54.319 --> 00:10:58.899 Forgiveness in the Greek is from the same root as grace. 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:02.159 It's really grace being applied. 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:08.699 It's grace being put into action because we choose to forgive. 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:10.219 You know, think about it. 00:11:10.219 --> 00:11:16.500 God shows his grace towards you when he came and died for your sin and my sin. 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:19.299 You know, think for a moment. 00:11:19.339 --> 00:11:21.360 Turn back to Matthew chapter 18 for a moment. 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:25.839 Matthew chapter 18, because the Bible speaks a lot about forgiveness. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:30.200 And we have pictures of forgiveness and God always forgiving. 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:33.540 You know, consider here, look at Matthew 18. 00:11:33.660 --> 00:11:34.759 Look down at verse 21. 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:42.460 You know, this is one of them passages that you've probably heard much about over the years if you've been around church very long. 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:46.700 And if not, it's one you definitely need to learn and to apply a little bit here. 00:11:46.780 --> 00:11:47.759 Because here's Peter. 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:51.580 Comes to Jesus and he asks Jesus a question. 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:57.960 Now, I want you to understand the context of this question isn't Peter humbly coming before God, you know. 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:02.460 Oh, Lord, just, you know, I need to know more about forgiveness. 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.320 So Peter's coming. 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:07.080 I'll forgive them seven times. 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:09.960 He's prideful. 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:10.360 Notice this. 00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:13.460 Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how ought shall I forgive? 00:12:13.780 --> 00:12:16.660 Shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:18.240 Till seven times. 00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:21.240 Now, notice this. 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:30.039 Jesus saith unto him, I say unto thee, until seven times, but until 70 times seven. 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:39.659 In other words, we find here that Jesus here is revealing to him not just seven times, but 70 times seven. 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:42.419 Now, oftentimes people say, well, that's 490 times, man. 00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:43.200 They'll get their book out. 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:43.460 Okay. 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:45.019 Ching, ching, ching, ching. 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:46.799 You know, they start crossing them off. 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:47.700 But there's five. 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:48.019 Woo! 00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:48.820 We're getting closer. 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:51.740 Jesus' point here is not a score. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:55.060 It's not record keeping. 00:12:56.740 --> 00:13:01.560 He's telling Peter, you have the wrong concept because right after this, he goes into a parable. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:06.179 He gives a parable of the unmerciful servant. 00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:11.159 Where this servant comes before his master and is forgiven much. 00:13:12.859 --> 00:13:16.319 It says he was forgiven 10,000 talents. 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:21.700 Now, if you consider, they say a talent is a year's wages. 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.960 Think about that for a moment. 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:28.220 He was forgiven 10,000 years of debt. 00:13:28.520 --> 00:13:35.000 And this servant is rejoicing in the fact he's been forgiven this insurmountable amount. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:42.559 But he goes out to somebody who owes him and wants to extract everything he can. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:47.299 This is a picture that Jesus gives. 00:13:47.739 --> 00:13:51.219 And this servant is forgiven of his master. 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:57.579 But yet he had been, when he doesn't take that same forgiveness and put it towards others. 00:13:57.699 --> 00:13:59.879 He wants to extract those things. 00:13:59.959 --> 00:14:00.979 He wants to keep score. 00:14:01.079 --> 00:14:02.019 He wants to get even. 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:05.159 But look down at verse 33 in Matthew chapter 18. 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:09.120 The conclusion of this, notice what he says. 00:14:09.439 --> 00:14:16.779 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:20.939 This is the same thing Paul's talking about. 00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:23.279 As Christ did, you do. 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:30.480 All of us carried with us a weight of sin and offense against God that we could never overcome. 00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:34.339 But yet God has forgiven. 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:44.420 And he says, if God can forgive you, you ought to be able, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the power of God, say, 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:50.300 I'm going to make a choice to forgive somebody who's offended me. 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:54.139 To do that in this nature is important. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:56.660 Jesus is illustrating something here. 00:14:57.019 --> 00:15:00.360 Forgiveness is not merit-based, but grace-based. 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:06.539 Just as the servant had been forgiven, he was to extend the same to those that were indebted to him. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:12.340 Because forgiveness is not determined by the quantity nor quality of the offense. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:17.519 You know, I want you to understand this morning, oftentimes we'll hold on to offenses in our life. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:20.440 We'll hold on to those past hurts in our marriage. 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:24.220 We'll hold on to those hurts in our family. 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:26.300 Or anyone that has hurt you. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:28.060 I mean, the list goes on. 00:15:28.160 --> 00:15:29.759 I mean, people get hurt all the time. 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:31.920 Oftentimes people think, well, why me? 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:32.519 You know what? 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:39.420 The reality is the Bible makes it clear that if you live, you're going to have people that are going to offend you. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.639 People that are going to hurt you. 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.879 You say, why is that? 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:43.399 Well, the thing is, you've hurt somebody. 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:46.639 You've offended somebody. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:55.059 Whether it's intentional or unintentional, we all are guilty of the same offense. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:59.079 None of us stand clean of it. 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:02.600 And Jesus is reminding them here that it doesn't matter. 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:17.960 So this morning, you know, when you think about your past hurts in your marriage, in your family, in your relationships, or anyone that has hurt you in the past, we need to remember Christ's forgiveness towards you. 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:21.100 Christ's forgiveness is important. 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:25.940 It'll help you release the bitterness and offer grace towards them. 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:34.420 Now, remember, forgiveness doesn't heal, but it's the ointment that goes on that allows and paves the way for reconciliation to take place. 00:16:34.640 --> 00:16:35.400 Because you know what? 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:39.340 It takes two people to reconcile. 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:42.060 Both parties have to be willing to reconcile. 00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:48.640 You know, one of the problems you have oftentimes is one party wants to reconcile and the other party doesn't. 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.000 You know what? 00:16:49.020 --> 00:16:52.080 It's impossible to reconcile if both parties aren't willing. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:55.600 Let me give you a point here that you need to understand. 00:16:55.940 --> 00:17:01.060 Because forgiveness is the part of the person that is offended or been hurt. 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:12.840 Recognizing it and telling you and asking for forgiveness or asking for and admitting reconciliation is on the part of the offender. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:16.160 You know, somebody can come and sincerely say, I'm sorry. 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.960 What I did was wrong. 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.580 But, you know, sometimes people still don't forgive. 00:17:19.580 --> 00:17:22.460 Is that relationship reconcilable at that point? 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.220 No. 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.839 Same token. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:27.420 Somebody can say, I forgive. 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:30.600 I've done my part to reconcile. 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:35.880 And the other party is stubborn and obstinate and doesn't want to do their part. 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:37.180 It's still irreconcilable. 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.839 The same picture with God. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:41.039 God provided when Jesus Christ came. 00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:51.420 He provided everything we have in need of from his side that he can do to provide reconciliation of a sinful person to a holy God. 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:54.160 The ball ends up in our court when it comes to salvation. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:55.960 God's done everything he can. 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:58.720 And he says, whosoever will. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:02.440 Whosoever will can come. 00:18:03.360 --> 00:18:05.980 Whosoever can call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:09.740 This is the reality in which this operates. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:16.160 Even in our relationship with God, it acts the same here in our physical relationship one with another. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:19.480 Because forgiveness allows wounds to heal. 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:22.579 It allows those things to take place. 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:24.599 Look here back in verse 13 for a moment. 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:27.399 It says, forbearing one another and forgiving one another. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:30.179 If any man have a quarrel against any. 00:18:30.419 --> 00:18:31.359 There's been a wound. 00:18:31.439 --> 00:18:32.179 A quarrel. 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:42.480 When you have a quarrel against, this word is speaking not of a perceived offense, but it's of the merit of an offense. 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:44.940 It's a legitimate complaint against somebody. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:48.039 A hurt that is plunged into you like a knife. 00:18:48.320 --> 00:18:50.920 A hurt that causes a problem between people. 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:55.120 It's a genuine, real situation. 00:18:55.119 --> 00:19:00.559 And what Paul's saying here, there's going to be times that people genuinely hurt you. 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:04.359 Right to the core of who you are. 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:09.299 There's all sorts of things you could list that fall under this category. 00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.839 All sorts of abuse. 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:15.759 There's things that happen in this world that ought not, but they do. 00:19:16.239 --> 00:19:18.959 Sin is a wicked, terrible, destructive thing. 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:23.279 We live in a sin-laden world. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:26.539 People are going to do things against other people. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:30.160 The question is, what are we going to do? 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:33.480 How are we going to respond when it happens to us? 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:37.700 How are we going to respond when those things take place? 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:49.099 Because I want you to understand our natural response to a legitimate hurt in our life is to retaliate or to seek retribution towards the offender. 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:52.660 And I want you to tell you here that it's going to lead to something. 00:19:52.660 --> 00:20:00.040 It's going to lead to unaddressed and unhealed wounds that are going to hinder you the rest of your life. 00:20:00.040 --> 00:20:07.320 Because you're going to have bitterness and anger and wrath that's going to dominate your heart and your mind. 00:20:08.580 --> 00:20:10.240 Unforgiveness chews you up. 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.960 You say, well, preacher, how can I offend? 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:12.960 You don't know what they did. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:19.400 I want you to know that Jesus said, you can do it because of what I've forgiven you. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:26.160 The problem is oftentimes we don't see our sin, our failure against God the same way we see people's failure against us. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:29.660 Our sin hurts God as much as somebody that hurts you. 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:33.240 And when we get a right perspective, we understand that picture. 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:36.559 Because forgiveness doesn't mean something didn't happen. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:39.859 You know, that's one of the misconceptions people have. 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:40.500 Why forgive me? 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:42.599 It'll be like, no, that's not what forgiveness is. 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:45.480 Forgiveness doesn't deny that it happened. 00:20:47.179 --> 00:20:55.679 Forgiveness is you releasing them from your retaliation against them or even you're justified. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:21:00.060 Because sometimes, yes, accountability is justified. 00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:03.160 But forgiveness says I'm willing to let that go. 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:05.100 Not because I'm a good person. 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:07.500 Because I recognize what Christ forgave me. 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:08.480 I didn't merit it. 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:13.460 I had not a bit of merit towards my salvation. 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:18.180 But Christ forgave and opened the door that we might be saved. 00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:19.779 It's not built on merit. 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.900 That's part of the problem. 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:25.840 But it's a voluntary releasing the offending party of reprisal. 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:31.200 It's something that transpires whether the offending party deserves it or not. 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.400 Or whether they apologize. 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:37.680 It's based on the offended party's feelings, attitudes, and behavior. 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.680 Not on the offenders. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:44.019 Forgiveness is for those who have been offended. 00:21:44.580 --> 00:21:50.820 You know, I want you to understand that forgiveness does not condone or excuse the offense. 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:55.300 You're releasing them from your retaliation or retribution. 00:21:56.560 --> 00:21:59.740 There's offenses that carry things outside of you. 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:05.800 There are offenses that if you do against somebody, you're going to go to jail or you're going to face others. 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:08.860 Forgiveness doesn't mean they've been released from all that. 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.380 It says you're letting it go. 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:13.759 Forgiveness, I want you to understand, is for your benefit. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:16.019 Not the one who offended's benefit. 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:22.480 You know, we need to understand forgiveness does not condone or excuse the offense. 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:26.099 Look over to Genesis chapter 50. 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.980 We have a great example here of Joseph. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:32.740 Joseph's, I think, a great example of forgiveness in action. 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:38.000 Because oftentimes we look here at Genesis 50 and we say, well, Joseph was reconciled to his brothers. 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.460 Let's take a look at what it says. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:43.819 It says, when Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, that was Jacob, they said, 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:49.940 Joseph will purventure hate us and will certainly requit us all the evil which we did unto him. 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:52.140 Now, I want you to consider this for a moment. 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:56.500 This is his brothers speaking, not Joseph. 00:22:56.500 --> 00:23:00.640 I want you to understand, Joseph forgave them a long time before this. 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:06.140 And I want you to get a picture here because Joseph forgave them 17 years earlier. 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.779 You say, preacher, what do you mean? 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:11.680 Remember when they came down into Egypt and they didn't recognize Joseph? 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:15.279 Joseph recognized them. 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:19.579 Joseph had absolute authority. 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:23.460 Joseph could have had all them killed and nobody would have thought twice. 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:28.480 But through that, Joseph had to deal with something when he was confronted with his brothers. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:30.340 He had to make a choice of what he was going to do. 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:39.200 When you read through a little earlier in Genesis, you'll find twice mentioned that Joseph went by himself 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:41.400 and just wept when dealing with his brothers. 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:44.100 I think Joseph was dealing with forgiveness. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:46.960 Lord, how do I forgive them for what they did to me? 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:49.759 And I don't think anybody here, if you know the story of Joseph, would say, 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:52.980 man, his brothers certainly deserve some retribution for what they did. 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.460 They sent him into slavery. 00:23:56.380 --> 00:24:02.000 Joseph faced some terrible things in his life, some terrible hurts and accusations. 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:06.079 And then his brothers come and Joseph makes a decision to forgive them. 00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:10.220 He says, come on down, bring the family down to Egypt and I'll take care of you. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:18.500 Now you're at the end of this dynamic and Jacob has now passed from the scene 17 years later. 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:23.599 And his brothers are saying, hey, you know, Joseph has just been play-acting, I think, in here. 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.700 Dad's gone. 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:28.779 Now he's going to take retribution. 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:32.140 But what you see in Genesis 50, something totally different. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:39.220 You see a Joseph who came to the reconciliation and the forgiveness of his brothers. 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:43.360 He had already forgiven them before they came. 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:48.460 You know, when we see here, they had a definite quarrel against his brothers. 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:51.059 There's no doubt that his brothers offended. 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:55.740 But they thought his kindness was for the sake of their father. 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:59.559 They knew the evil that they had perpetrated upon Joseph. 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:05.539 The web of lies that they had spun towards their father. 00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:11.700 It wasn't until Jacob died that his brothers sought to reconcile. 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.419 But where did it start? 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:21.179 It started 17 years earlier with Joseph putting on the balm of forgiveness to the situation. 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:26.500 Joseph waited 17 years, reconciled to those who offended him. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.559 You know, we get upset. 00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:28.299 Well, why forgive him? 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:29.359 Why can't we just get through this? 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:31.279 I want you to understand, sometimes hurts take time. 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:39.579 It took to this point before his brothers were willing to understand and to take accountability 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:41.219 to do their part. 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:43.099 Joseph had already done all he could do. 00:25:43.139 --> 00:25:48.679 His brothers now had to do their part for reconciliation to take place. 00:25:48.959 --> 00:25:51.299 Look down at verse 19 here in Genesis 50. 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:55.019 And Joseph said unto them, 00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:59.019 Fear not, for I am in the place of God. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:04.459 But as for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good. 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:09.119 To bring to pass as it is this day to save much people alive. 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:13.619 Now, therefore, fear ye not, I will nourish you and your little ones. 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:18.179 And he comforted them and spake kindly unto them. 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:24.979 I want you to understand, Joseph didn't forgive his brothers when they came and sought reconciliation and acknowledge of their sin. 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:34.620 Joseph had already dealt with it in his life. 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:38.920 He looked at it and said, look what God has done, what God has provided. 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:41.200 You meant for evil and God did good. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:46.680 He had all the ability to take retribution and didn't. 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.200 Why? 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:52.120 Because he had forgiven them before they even sought reconciliation. 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:57.400 Forgiveness has to do with you and me. 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.039 He shows them kindness. 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:05.319 Forgiveness, it was Joseph's decision years before that paved the way for the restoration to take place. 00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:10.839 Forgiveness brought healing and restoration to his family. 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:20.819 I want you to understand that same thing takes place within a relationship, whether it's marriage or any type of family or friends or even people you don't know. 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:28.139 Forgiveness is a choice that you make because somebody offended you and says, I'm not going to seek retribution against them. 00:27:28.439 --> 00:27:30.799 It starts with you. 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.379 Because you know what the reality is? 00:27:32.439 --> 00:27:34.359 You can't control what the other person does. 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:36.700 Oftentimes, if I don't forgive them, I'm going to get even. 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:38.179 You know, it doesn't affect them a bit. 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:41.019 It just makes you angry and bitter. 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:48.460 You stop to consider what steps have you taken to address the grievances within your marriage, within your other relationships. 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:51.200 Is there forgiveness? 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:54.220 Is there understanding in the dynamic? 00:27:54.420 --> 00:28:00.039 How is your attitude towards forgiveness impacting those in your family? 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:03.319 You know, there's a lot of families in trouble because forgiveness doesn't take place. 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:05.019 Forgiveness is essential. 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:08.700 It's the center of this passage. 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.299 You know, think about here in verse 13. 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.740 Notice what it says once again. 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:15.620 It says, forbearing one another and forgiving one another, 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:18.559 for even if any man have a quarrel against any, 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:22.779 even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:27.299 But this verse in verse 13 is sandwiched between two other verses 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:34.939 because the two other verses, 12 and 14, give us a context to which forgiveness operates. 00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:38.339 Notice what it tells us here. 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:39.319 Look at verse 12. 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:44.299 It says, put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved. 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:52.039 Now I want you to understand here, Paul is talking to those who know and understand what Christ has done for them. 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:55.539 And he says, if you understand what Christ has done for you, 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:58.879 he says you need to put on bowels of mercy, 00:28:59.259 --> 00:28:59.819 kindness, 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.319 humbleness of mind, 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.240 meekness, 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.200 long-suffering. 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:09.680 Verse 14 goes on to say this, 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:13.160 and above all these things put on charity, 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:16.019 which is the bond of perfectness. 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:19.000 Perfectness means completeness of who we are. 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:28.039 Because forgiveness is an act of love that seeks reconciliation and unity rather than vindication. 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:32.360 Look over to Ephesians chapter 4 for a moment. 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:35.059 Ephesians chapter 4. 00:29:35.159 --> 00:29:37.919 Notice what he tells him here to the church at Ephesus. 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:40.179 He says this in verse 31. 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.559 He says, 00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:45.199 let all bitterness. 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:47.459 Think about what's bitterness come from. 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.079 Comes from what? 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:50.579 Lack of forgiveness. 00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:55.839 And wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking. 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:59.599 Be put away from you with all malice. 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:03.659 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, 00:30:04.199 --> 00:30:06.859 even as God for Christ's sake has what? 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:08.939 Forgiven you. 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:13.440 You know, forgiveness is something that we all have to put into practice. 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:16.940 The contrast between these two verses is clear. 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:23.600 One is the road of bitterness and anger and chains of resentment and malice towards the offender. 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:29.039 The other is to love them and to be humble enough. 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:36.259 Because, you know, one of the problems with forgiveness is we place ourselves above that we never offend anybody. 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:39.819 To be humble enough to realize that, yes, you're going to offend somebody. 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.619 And I would want that same. 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:48.200 If you're truly sorry for offending somebody, you would want that same dynamic put back towards you. 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:53.319 Forgiveness is something that's rooted to the very core because if you don't forgive, 00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:55.079 you know, think about that word malice. 00:30:55.159 --> 00:30:56.460 It says with all malice. 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.480 You know what malice is? 00:30:57.480 --> 00:31:03.819 Malice is the inner fire that drives the other emotions that people may or may not see. 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:06.240 Malice is in the heart of an individual. 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:09.720 You know, people can cover up malice pretty well sometimes. 00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:11.740 But malice is what takes place. 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:14.539 It has to do with how you think and feel and then act. 00:31:14.860 --> 00:31:20.240 He says that instead of malice and all the emotion of bitterness and anger 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:24.480 and be chained to resentment that comes when we don't forgive. 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:27.160 He says we ought to be fueled by charity. 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:28.880 That is love and humility. 00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:33.460 You know, think about that same Peter that boasted about, 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:35.519 Lord, I'll forgive him seven times. 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:39.440 Look over to 1 Peter chapter 4. 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:42.799 1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 8. 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:47.059 Here's Peter writing later in his life. 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:48.919 You know what? 00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:54.599 The disciples and the apostles grew in their knowledge and application of the truth of God's word, 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.980 just as every believer ought to. 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:57.359 Here's Peter writing. 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:57.759 He says, 00:31:57.759 --> 00:32:05.940 What is Peter saying? 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.180 He says, 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:09.740 Charity is what fuels forgiveness. 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.960 Love fuels forgiveness. 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:16.059 This love requires mercy and kindness and humility. 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:19.920 Requires meekness and longsuffering. 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:26.220 Just as Joseph forgave his brothers way before reconciliation took place, 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:32.400 his humble act of love towards him reflects the same type of love that Christ displayed towards us. 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:36.800 Look over to the book of Romans, Romans chapter 5 for a moment. 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:38.680 Notice what the scripture tells us. 00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:38.840 00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:44.939 But God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 00:32:45.199 --> 00:32:50.919 What's the basis, the starting point of God's forgiveness, his love for you and me? 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:56.539 If we're going to forgive others, it has to be built and established in love, in charity, 00:32:57.039 --> 00:33:00.079 a genuine concern and care for somebody else. 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.679 It says, 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:06.900 Much more than being now justified by the blood, 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:11.080 and we shall be saved from the wrath through him. 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:15.539 I want you to understand he has this picture for us. 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:20.220 Just as Christ forgives you, we need to display that towards one another. 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:24.420 Ultimately this, forgiveness isn't about forgetting the hurt. 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:26.440 That's another falsehood that people have. 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.860 Well, if I forgive, I forget. 00:33:27.860 --> 00:33:31.560 I want you to let you know God may forget our sin and put them away, 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:33.700 but that's a divine nature. 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:39.759 Because our fallen, sinful nature often has, most of the time, doesn't put it away. 00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:41.259 The hurt is still real. 00:33:41.620 --> 00:33:44.039 But God says you ought to deal with it properly. 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:46.140 You ought to deal with it appropriately. 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:52.820 Because forgiveness is what, it's about choosing healing over bitterness, anger, and resentment. 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:56.279 You cannot control the hurting part, the party that hurts you, 00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:58.420 but you can control your side of the equation. 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.279 To forgive. 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:03.480 And especially in marriage, the example of a husband and wife, 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:06.920 a child towards a parent or parents towards their children. 00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:14.079 No matter, it ought to point others to the love of God that was pointed towards you and I first. 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:17.179 But God commendeth his love toward us. 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:18.139 What a picture. 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:22.940 Have you ever thought about how your display and your practice of forgiveness 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:26.199 impacts what other people think about God? 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:31.439 You know, oftentimes, I think people that don't know Christ as their Savior are impacted 00:34:31.439 --> 00:34:33.899 because they see the bitterness still in believers. 00:34:34.339 --> 00:34:37.879 You talk about forgiveness and a God that forgives, but you don't even practice it. 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:39.559 Say, preacher, you're stepping on toes. 00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:40.639 Well, I step on my own too. 00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:42.339 Because, you know, all of us have a problem with it. 00:34:42.339 --> 00:34:43.779 All of us have to make that decision. 00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:49.660 And it starts and we learn in those basic relationships of marriage and kids. 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:51.540 It displays those things. 00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:57.860 You know, have you considered how your demonstration of love and patience and forgiving allows others 00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:59.380 to see Christ in you? 00:34:59.660 --> 00:35:04.060 You know, maybe you're here today and don't understand what forgiveness is or God's forgiveness 00:35:04.060 --> 00:35:04.900 towards you. 00:35:05.100 --> 00:35:06.160 Or how to forgive. 00:35:07.120 --> 00:35:10.340 You know, sometimes I wonder if people don't know how to forgive because they don't understand 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:11.460 what God did for them. 00:35:13.180 --> 00:35:15.860 It's never become personal to them in the first place. 00:35:16.220 --> 00:35:19.460 They've never trusted Christ as their Savior saying, 00:35:19.620 --> 00:35:22.460 I know that you have forgiven me, that you've made a way. 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:24.360 You paid the penalty for my sin. 00:35:24.800 --> 00:35:31.160 Everything I merited, but you took it on yourself and provided a way that it would be off me and 00:35:31.160 --> 00:35:33.480 on you if I just call upon you. 00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:37.920 You know, today, if you've never understood or experienced the forgiveness that Christ has 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:44.000 made available to you, I encourage you today, it might be that day, to understand what true 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:50.059 forgiveness looks like because it begins in what God displayed towards us, that we might 00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:51.320 display it towards others. 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:53.960 You know, look over to 1 Timothy chapter 1 for a moment. 00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:58.440 Here's the Apostle Paul, and I want you to think about this verse. 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.519 Verse 16 says, 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:11.860 You know what Paul's saying? 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:14.239 He says, I didn't merit God's forgiveness. 00:36:14.780 --> 00:36:17.059 Paul had taken believers out and killed them. 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:21.780 Paul spoke blasphemy against God. 00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:23.099 And he's saying, you know what? 00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:28.099 God's long-suffering towards me when I came to the realization of who Christ is and what 00:36:28.099 --> 00:36:29.860 he had done that it was for me. 00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:34.279 Because notice what he says, it's a picture that might show forth all long-suffering for 00:36:34.279 --> 00:36:38.619 a pattern to them which should thereafter believe on him to everlasting life. 00:36:40.279 --> 00:36:47.639 I want you to understand the picture of forgiveness is an important part of even our testimony as 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.039 believers. 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:54.099 To understand how forgiveness plays out because if Christ is your Savior, then you ought to 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:57.500 understand what forgiveness is and put it into practice. 00:36:57.500 --> 00:37:00.719 Well, to apply the very thing that God gave us. 00:37:02.280 --> 00:37:04.300 That principle that's there. 00:37:05.380 --> 00:37:14.820 To practice it in our marriage, in our relationships, to allow grace to heal and to restore even places 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:16.719 that we've been hurt in our life. 00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:22.639 Because forgiveness is the starting point of reconciliation. 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:24.420 Where are you at today? 00:37:24.420 --> 00:37:27.320 Where are you at with the Lord? 00:37:29.200 --> 00:37:32.700 Where are you at with others around you? 00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:36.720 His heads are bowed and eyes are closed this morning. 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:38.539 I want you to stop and to consider. 00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:39.500 Because you know what? 00:37:39.639 --> 00:37:43.599 Each one of us can very easily harbor resentment and bitterness and anger. 00:37:43.860 --> 00:37:44.900 It can be well hidden. 00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:51.420 Is God speaking to you today about a need of forgiveness towards others? 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:54.559 How about God's forgiveness towards you? 00:37:54.780 --> 00:37:56.760 Heavenly Fathers, we just come before you today. 00:37:56.860 --> 00:37:59.079 Lord, you know each heart, each life here this morning. 00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:01.059 Lord, you know the needs. 00:38:01.180 --> 00:38:04.760 Lord, you know the things, the hidden things of the heart of an individual. 00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:08.840 Lord, you know all that we think and process. 00:38:09.160 --> 00:38:11.099 Lord, you know what's going on right now this morning. 00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:15.259 Lord, I pray just work upon hearts and lives 00:38:15.259 --> 00:38:20.559 so that we might truly understand the importance of forgiveness 00:38:20.559 --> 00:38:26.000 and reconciliation and the reality of what you've done for us. 00:38:27.759 --> 00:38:30.239 Lord, if we have an opportunity to respond today, Lord, 00:38:30.279 --> 00:38:34.699 that we might take seriously the things that your spirit is working 00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:38.759 and convicting and convincing and working upon hearts here today. 00:38:38.760 --> 00:38:41.960 Lord, that we might not depart out the doors the same way we came in. 00:38:42.220 --> 00:38:44.060 And Lord, we just commit this time to you 00:38:44.060 --> 00:38:47.980 as we have an opportunity to consider those things before you. 00:38:48.720 --> 00:38:50.900 And we ask it all in your precious name. 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:54.540 As the piano plays, what about you today? 00:38:54.539 --> 00:38:55.360 Amen. 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.360 00:38:55.360 --> 00:39:25.340 Thank you.