Praise Report 5 people professed faith in Jesus Christ this week Pray for them!

On Mission for Jesus Loren Johnson ministering at River City Recovery Ministry

Forgiveness “The word forgiveness evokes a variety of powerful emotions. Thinking about forgiveness, some of us smile as we are reminded of a process in our lives that led to the overcoming of pain and bitterness through the healing of an estranged relationship. Others of us grimace as we imagine angry faces

Forgiveness trying to coerce us into a passive surrender of our resistance to abuse, betrayal, or injustice. As we reflect on forgiveness, particular human faces can rise to the surface of our consciousness – faces we have forgiven, faces who have forgiven us, or faces we have vowed never to forgive.” – Shults and Sandage

Jesus and Forgiveness Two aspects of forgiveness that we do not see in the life of Jesus: -Asking for forgiveness -Forgiving oneself

Asking for Forgiveness “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24

Forgiving Oneself Don’t make light of your sin

Forgiving Oneself Don’t make light of your sin “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” – Apostle Paul in his first letter to Timothy

Forgiving Oneself Don’t make light of your sin “If forgiving ourselves comes easy, chances are we are only excusing ourselves, ducking blame, and not really forgiving ourselves at all.” – Lewis Smedes

Forgiving Oneself Don’t make light of your sin Don’t over-inflate the importance of your sin

Forgiving Oneself Don’t make light of your sin Don’t over-inflate the importance of your sin – Is your sin really so bad that it is the only sin that can’t be forgiven?

Forgiving Oneself “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus

Forgiving Oneself might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” - Paul

Forgiving Oneself Don’t make light of your sin Don’t over-inflate the importance of your sin Dare to believe Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness

Forgiving Oneself Parable of the Prodigal Son “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

Forgiving Oneself “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

Forgiving Oneself For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” – Luke 15:21-24

Luke 23:32-34 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,

Luke 23:32-34 for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

John 21:15-19 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

John 21:15-19 Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

John 21:15-19 Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said,

John 21:15-19 “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will

John 21:15-19 stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Forgive Like Jesus The forgiveness of Jesus was/is: 1.For Everyone – From enemies and strangers who had crucified him to his closest friends who had abandoned and denied him

Martin Luther King, Jr. “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less

Martin Luther King, Jr. prone to hate our enemies.”

Forgive Like Jesus The forgiveness of Jesus was/is: 1.For Everyone 2.For Everything

Forgive Like Jesus “Forgiving is love's toughest work, and love's biggest risk.” – Lewis B. Smedes

Forgive Like Jesus The forgiveness of Jesus was/is: 1.For Everyone 2.For Everything 3.Redemptive and Restorative

Forgive Like Jesus “Redemptive forgiveness releases our present from the totalizing painful determination of the past so that we may face the future full of hope and extend that hope to others.” – F. LeRon Shults

Forgive Like Jesus “You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.” – Lewis B. Smedes

Forgive Like Jesus Forgiving like Jesus is only possible if we embrace God’s perfect love and total forgiveness for us and then depend upon the Holy Spirit for the strength, wisdom and courage to love and forgive others.