TEACH US TO PRAY
James 5:16 “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
Jesus’ School of Prayer
Matthew 6:12 “Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.”
1. Everyone needs forgiveness.
Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of God's glory.”
2. Forgiveness is found only in Jesus Christ.
We read in Hebrews 9:22 “...and there is no forgiveness without blood being shed.”
Repentance is a great thing!
Repentance is our sorrow for our sins AND our pledge to give up all our sin-with God’s help.
3. After we become Christians we still need forgiveness.
“He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” John 13:10
David
Matthew 6:14-15 “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins.”
This is ALWAYS true!
What else happens when we refuse to forgive?
a. The Holy Spirit is grieved.
b. Your prayers will not be answered.
Psalm 66:18 “If I had cherished evil in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.”
c. God leaves you alone to face the problems of life in your own power.
d. The devil gains a foothold through your bitterness.
e. You force God to stand against you.
f. You lose the blessing of God on your life. (Physical and spiritual)
g. You waste time nursing a wounded spirit.
h. You become enslaved to the people you hate.
One author put it this way, “Hate and hell always live in the same heart.” (Chappell)
4. Forgiveness and you.
Are you harboring an unforgiving spirit?
No wonder you are not happy.
No wonder you can’t sleep.
No wonder you are depressed.
No wonder you are so negative.
No wonder you are so bitter.
“But Bro. Phil, I can’t forgive them for what they did to me.”
“Would God require something from us that he couldn’t or wouldn’t help us do?” Question of the day:
“Bro. Phil, I won’t forgive them for what they did to me.”
You need to take action today before this completely ruins your life!
1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we've done wrong.”
Start with you getting alone with God and forgiving EVERYONE who you have not forgiven for all your life.
Then you will end with you being healed-both physically and spiritually-and freed from the bondage of anger, bitterness, resentment, rejection, and GUILT!
Who do you need to forgive today?
WHO do you need to forgive today?