1. A Forgiving Forgiven Follower of Jesus
Ephesians 4:32

2. Ephesians 4:32 – 5:2
4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
5:1 -  “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
 5:2- “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

3. Forgiving Others – Forgive as Christ has Forgiven Us
How did Jesus forgive us as sinners?
Jesus forgave us even though we didn’t deserve it
Jesus forgave us because he loved us
Jesus forgave us totally
Jesus forgave us with finality – It is finished
Jesus doesn’t remind us of our sins

4. Forgiving Others – Forgive as Christ has Forgiven Us
Who are believers to forgive?
Others – who are others?
Believers
Unbelievers
Those who hate us
Those who persecute us as believers
Others = everyone and anybody

5. Forgiving Others – Forgive as Christ has Forgiven Us
The example of Stephen – Acts 7
How to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us?
Remember – how Jesus forgave you
Rely – on Jesus’ power and strength

6. Forgiving Others – Pursue Forgiveness
Believers pursue forgiveness they have sinned or wronged someone – Matthew 5:23-24
Believers pursue forgiveness if someone has sinned or offended them – Matthew 18:15
Take the initiative - GO

7. Forgiving Others – Unlimited Forgiveness
Believers are to forgive regardless of how many times – Matthew 18:21-22
Believers are to forgive regardless of how “big” the sin is
Don’t set limits on your forgiveness

8. Forgiving Others – Maintains Closeness and Intimacy with God
Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Unforgiveness, which is sin, puts a barrier between the believer and God
This refers to our relationship with God, not our standing

9. Forgiving Others – Releasing the Other Person
Greek word for forgiveness – release from an obligation or debt
God forgives sinners releases them from the debt of sin
Matthew 18:23-34
The King releases the man’s big debt
The man did not release the servants small debt
Let go

10. Forgiving Others – A Choice We Make
God made the choice to forgive us sinners
Jesus made the choice to go to the cross and die for sinners
A choice – a conscious decision, an act of the will
Make the right decision – make the biblical decision – forgive