Series Introduction - Kelly Welcome In this miniseries we will be discovering the different aspects of forgiveness. First, we will look at what is forgiveness. Up Next: Forgiving Yourself

Series Introduction (Cont) - Danae Then we will discuss forgiving yourself. Finally, we will look at forgiving those who have offended us. Up Next: Today’s discussion: What is forgiveness

Introduction - Kelly Today, we are going to look at what forgiveness is. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding forgiveness. Up Next: Society wants us to think…

Introduction (Cont) Kelly Society wants us to think that forgiveness involves emotions and doesn’t last a lifetime. Others even believe that some people deserve forgiveness while others to not. Up Next: Before we look into this series…

Introduction (Cont.) Kelly Before we look into this series we need to understand the foundation of forgiveness. Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say compared to popular belief. Up next: Popular belief says…. (Danae)

Popular Belief 1 - Danae Popular belief says that forgiveness is emotional. “I don’t feel like forgiving” “If it doesn’t feel right then I shouldn’t forgive.” Up Next: Matthew 18:21-22

Matthew 18: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Up Next: What does this mean for me?

Popular Belief 1 - Danae What does this mean for me? Forgiveness is a choice I must keep forgiving people Sometimes I must keep forgiving the same people. Up Next: Popular belief says forgiveness… (Kelly)

Popular Belief 2 - Kelly Popular Belief says forgiveness is temporary. “I will bring up this offence when they hurt me again.” “I’ll let it go for a while but not forever.” Up Next: Psalm 103:8-12

Psalm 103: The L ORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

Psalms 103 (Cont.) 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Up Next: What does this mean for me?

Popular Belief 2 - Kelly What does this mean for me? God is loving toward us and does not stay angry forever so neither should we. God does not treat us as we should be treated. He shows us mercy. Up Next: He remembers our sins no more!

Popular Belief 2 - Kelly He remembers our sin no more! We too should forget the sins others have committed against us. Up Next: Popular belief says forgiving is deserved (Danae)

Popular Belief 3 - Danae Popular belief says forgiving is deserved. “They don’t have the right to be forgiven.” “With what they did, they don’t deserve forgiveness.” Up Next: Matthew 5:7

Matthew 5:7 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Up Next: Luke 11:4

Luke 11:4 (Lord’s Prayer) 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. Up Next: What does this mean for me?

Popular Belief 3 - Danae What does this mean for me? When we show mercy towards others mercy will be shown towards us. We must forgive everyone – not just some people. Up Next: The thief on the cross

Luke 23: Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 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.

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.) 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.) 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.) 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.) 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.) 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.) 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Up Next: Our take-away (Kelly)

Closing - Kelly Our Take-Away: We should not ask ourselves if we should forgive, we should just make the choice to even when we feel we cannot do it. Up Next: We must not hold past sins…

Closing - Kelly We must not hold past sins against others. Up Next: We do not deserve Jesus’ forgiveness…

Closing - Kelly We do not deserve Jesus’ forgiveness but out of love he choose to forgive us. We too must forgive others whether we think they deserve it or not. Up Next: Forgiveness brings freedom!

Closing - Kelly Forgiveness brings freedom! When we fully forgive other people we are no longer bound by bitterness or anger. We can truly live. Up Next: That person no longer has a hold on us.

Closing - Kelly That person no longer has a hold on us. Thank you for joining us today. We would like to encourage you to discuss this topic with your group. If you do not have a group of people that you meet with then please send us an with your thoughts. Up Next: Prayer

Closing - Kelly Close in Prayer Join us next time as we discuss Forgiving Yourself