BASIC FORGIVENESS
MATT.18:21-35

THE BIG IDEA, THE ABSURDITY OF GOD’S GRACE.

POINT: TO THE UNFORGIVEN AND THE UNFORGIVING, GOD IS LIKE A HARSH DEBT COLLECTOR.

PROBLEM: THE WHOLE DEBT SYSTEM HAS BEEN BUILT INTO THE HUMAN PERSONALITY … A SENSE OF OUGHTNESS AND OWING …

DR. DAVID BELGUM, “UP TO 75% OF PEOPLE IN HOSPITALS TODAY WITH PHYSICAL ILNESS HAVE SICKNESS ROOTED IN EMOTIONAL CAUSES, AND THESE PATIENTS ARE PUNISHING THEMSELVES WITH THEIR ILLNESSES; AND THAT THEIR PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS AND BREAKDOWNS MAY BE INVOLUNTARY CONFESSIONS OF GUILT.”

THE CAUSES;
   FAILURE TO RECEIVE FORGIVENESS,
      GRACE:
        UNDESERVED
        UNEARNABLE
        UNREPAYABLE

 FAILURE TO GIVE FORGIVENESS

    HOW DOES AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT DEVELOP?
     WE GET WOUNDED.
     WE BECOME CONFUSED.
     WE DESIRE TO AVOID PAIN.
     WE BECOME DEFEATED.
     WE BECOME DISCOURAGED.

THE CURE,
   RECOGNIZE THAT, YOUR DEBT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
   REALIZE YOUR NEED TO FORGIVE,

        IS THERE SOMEONE YOU RESENT AND WILL NOT LET OFF THE HOOK?

        WILL YOU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF, YOUR FAULTS AND FAILURES?

        DO YOU FIND YOURSELF REACTING AGAINST SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY REMIND YOU OF SOMEONE ELSE?

APPLICATION: JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS, GEN.50:19-21

   HE SHOWED KINDNESS, GEN.45:3-5
   HE ALLOWED THEM TO SAVE FACE, GEN.45:7-8
   (HE DID NOT TELL ANYONE WHAT THEY HAD DONE)
   HE PRAYED FOR THEM TO BE BLESSED,

WILL YOU BE A PART OF THE DEBT-FREEING COMMUNITY?