Q Series–How Can I Forgive?

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On Sunday, October 2, 2016, we continued our Q Series where we’ve been answering the questions you asked in a survey back at Easter.  This week, we tackled forgiveness.  You can check out the outline and the talk below.

On Sunday, October 16, we’ll conclude this series with a trademark First Assembly experience called “Q SUNDAY” where we’ll open the floor to questions through texting, email, and notes handed in and I’ll address them as they come in.  Many people report this is one of their favorite things we do at the church.

Here’s the outline for the answer to the question, “How Can I Forgive?”

How Can I Forgive?

“I don’t care anymore.”

(Ephesians 2:12-14) “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ…without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”

(Ephesians 4:31-32) “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Forgiveness is not always:

  1. Receiving an apology.
  2. Trusting again.

Forgiveness

  1. Receive God’s forgiveness.

(1 Timothy 1:13-15) “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.”

(Isaiah 1:18 NLT) ‘“Come now, let’s settle this,’” says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me…’”

  1. Freely give what you have received.

(Matthew 10:8) “…Freely you have received, freely give.”

(2 Corinthians 5:14-21) “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again… All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

  1. Go

(Romans 5:8) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The first to forgive is the most blessed.

(Matthew 5:9) “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

(James 3:17–18) “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

  • Choices lead, feelings follow.

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