Bible Text: Colossians 3:13 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: That They May Know…Christ
…bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
PUTTING ON Christ Means PUTTING UP With Each Other
“Putting on” Jesus affects how we treat others “bear with” means giving “extra grace” to others
Jesus offers a new way, radical approach to dealing with life’s woundedness: FORGIVE!
Jesus Puts No Limits On Forgiveness
Matthew 18:21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven? Jesus replied, seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:22-27 The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market. The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back. Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
Matthew 18:28-31 The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, Pay up. Now! The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back. But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
Our Forgiveness Of Others Should At Least Be In Proportion To What God Has Done For Us
Matthew 18:32-34 The king summoned the man and said, you evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy? The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt.
Unforgiveness Is A Prison!
Matthew 18:35 And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.
Unforgiveness Is Death
Unforgiveness Dehydrates The Human Soul!
James 2:13 For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.
If we feel unaccepted we tend to be unaccepting
If we feel unforgiven we tend to be unforgiving
If we feel unloved we tend to be unloving
Unforgiveness Is Deadly!
Matthew 6:14 Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you.
Forgiveness is evidence of a MATURE Christian Life
Forgiveness Is Discipline
Heart: to NOT bring the event up unless it is agreed to do so
Mind:  to NOT think or meditate about the event(s)
Body:  to NOT talk to others about what happened
Soul:   to NOT use the event against you in any way
Forgiveness Is A Process
The TRANSFORMING POWER Of Forgiveness
John 20:21-23 So Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
Forgiveness Is Freedom!