1. Forgiveness is virtually impossible without the right starting point.
The right starting point is the reality of who we are.
Last week…
Romans
3:21-23

2. We forgive so much because we’ve been forgiven so much.
Last week…
Ephesians
4:31-32

3. What’s the Big Idea?
The only way to live a life of freedom is to live a life of forgiveness.
Let it go!

4. Relational Forgiveness – Col. 2:13-14
When we believed, we were born again and joined to Christ along with His death and resurrection.
Let it go!

5. Relational Forgiveness – Col. 2:13-14
At that same time, all of our sins were forgiven.
Our sins can never interrupt our relationship with Christ.
Let it go!

6. However, our sins can interrupt our fellowship with Christ.
Fellowship Forgiveness – Col. 2:13-14
However, our sins can interrupt our fellowship with Christ.
Let it go!

7. In Christ Truth in time In time In Christ, I am eternally Perfect
Eternal truth
In Christ
Complete
Forgiven
In time, I am being…
Truth in time
Perfected
In time
Completed
Forgiven
“Relational Truth” vs. “Fellowship Truth”

8. Believing in Christ brings relational-forgiveness.
Relational Forgiveness – Col. 2:13-14
Believing in Christ brings relational-forgiveness.
Let it go!

9. We are to forgive others based on the manner in which God forgives us.
Eph. 4: How we are to forgive
We are to forgive others based on the manner in which God forgives us.
Let it go!

10. Eph. 4:30-31 - How we are to forgive
A healthy vertical relationship leads to a healthy horizontal relationship.
Let it go!

11. Fellowship-forgiveness only takes place when we forgive.
Matthew 6:9-15
Fellowship-forgiveness only takes place when we forgive.
Let it go!

12. We don’t forgive, we’re out of fellowship with God.
Matthew 6:9-15
We don’t forgive, we’re out of fellowship with God.
Let it go!

13. Personal issues are to be dealt with personally.
Matthew 18:15-17
Personal issues are to be dealt with personally.
Let it go!

14. Two options
Let it go
Confront
Let it go!

15. Forgiveness is not optional.
Matthew 18:15-17
Forgiveness is not optional.
Let it go!

16. Once again, we forgive because we’ve been forgiven.
Matthew 18:21-35
Once again, we forgive because we’ve been forgiven.
Let it go!

17. An unforgiving heart leads to a tortured lives.
Matthew 18:21-35
An unforgiving heart leads to a tortured lives.
Let it go!

18. What did he say?

19. 1. When we were redeemed, we were joined to Christ and His death; and we were forgiven.
2. Our sins can never interrupt our relationship with Christ.
3. Our sins do interrupt our fellowship with Christ.

20. 3. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven; the vertical governs the horizontal.
4. If we don’t forgive others, we are not forgiven (fellowship-forgiveness).
5. Personal issues are to be dealt with personally.

21. 6. We only have two options when someone sins against us:
Let it go
Confront
Forgiveness is not optional
7. An unforgiving heart leads to a tortured life.

22. What’s the Big Idea?
Few things in the Christian life are more difficult than forgiveness.
Few things are more important.
Let it go!

23. What’s the Big Idea?
The only way to live a life of freedom is to live a life of forgiveness.
Let it go!