2. “The Opportunities of Forgiveness” (Genesis 50)

3. 1.Mistreating Others Empowers Them Over Us

4. (Genesis 50:15-18) When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him." So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died he commanded, saying, 'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you."' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants." (NKJV)

5. 1.Mistreating Others Empowers Them Over Us 2.Look for opportunities to forgive.2.Look for opportunities to forgive.

6. (Romans 12:19) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (NKJV)

7. (Genesis 50:20) "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (NKJV)

8. (Romans 5:10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (NKJV)

9. 1.Mistreating Others Empowers Them Over Us 2.Look for opportunities to forgive.2.Look for opportunities to forgive. 3.Godly people forgive.3.Godly people forgive.

10. (Genesis 41:38-39) And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. (NKJV)

11. (1 John 2:24) Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. (NKJV)

12. 1.Mistreating Others Empowers Them Over Us 2.Look for opportunities to forgive.2.Look for opportunities to forgive. 3.Godly people forgive.3.Godly people forgive. 4. Forgive others even when it doesn’t seem right in your own eyes.

13. (1 Peter 2:19-23) For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (NKJV)

14. (Luke 6:37) "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (NKJV)

15. (James 2:13) For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (NKJV)

16. (Job 5:2) For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one. (NKJV)

17. (Proverbs 24:17) Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; (NKJV)

18. (Proverbs 10:18) Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. (NKJV)

19. (Proverbs 16:18) Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (NKJV)

20. (Philippians 2:14) Do all things without complaining and disputing, (NKJV)

21. (Proverbs 19:11) The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. (NKJV)

22. (Proverbs 14:10) The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy. (NKJV)

23. (Romans 3:23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (NKJV)