1. Finding Forgiveness July 5, 2009 Bob Mullen

2. About Forgiveness “I am a patient man- always willing to forgive on the Christian terms of repentance, and also to give ample time for repentance.” Abraham Lincoln, 1862. “I am a patient man- always willing to forgive on the Christian terms of repentance, and also to give ample time for repentance.” Abraham Lincoln, 1862.

3. Forgiveness “Taking present action to overlook a sin or wrong from the past” “Taking present action to overlook a sin or wrong from the past” This could be my own sin/wrong, or someone else’s. This could be my own sin/wrong, or someone else’s.

4. The LORD is perfect at forgiving NKJ Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. NKJ Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

5. The LORD is perfect at forgiving NIV Hebrews 10:16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." NIV Hebrews 10:16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

6. Jesus is the Author of Forgiveness NIV 1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

7. Forgiveness with God- Initial NIV Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. NIV Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

8. Forgiveness with God- Afterwards NIV 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

9. When Others Sin Against Us NIV Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. NIV Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

10. When Others Sin Against Us NIV 1 Corinthians 6:6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another-- and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. NIV 1 Corinthians 6:6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another-- and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already.

11. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” Are we able to forget about what we have chosen to forgive? Are we able to forget about what we have chosen to forgive?

12. When Others Wrong Us- Heart NIV Matthew 18:35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.“ NIV Matthew 18:35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.“ No more about it! No more about it!

13. When Others Wrong Us- Restoration NIV 2 Corinthians 2:7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. NIV 2 Corinthians 2:7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. He made it right. He made it right.

14. When We Sin Against Others NIV Matthew 5:23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. NIV Matthew 5:23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

15. When We Sin Against Others- Penance When Possible NIV Luke 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." NIV Luke 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

16. When We Sin Against Others- Repentance NIV Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? NIV Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

17. 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Penance is a way of showing repentance. Penance is a way of showing repentance.

18. Sin Harms Relationships NIV Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. NIV Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

19. Sin Harms Relationships NIV Ecclesiastes 3:3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, NIV Ecclesiastes 3:3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, It takes time to repair, if it can be repaired. It takes time to repair, if it can be repaired.

20. Sin Harms Relationships NIV Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; NIV Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church;

21. Sin Harms Relationships and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Forgiveness does not = trust Forgiveness does not = trust

22. Finding Forgiveness Sin separates us from God and others. Sin separates us from God and others. Jesus paid the price for our sins. Jesus paid the price for our sins. Those who are baptized in the name of Jesus are receivers of forgiveness. Those who are baptized in the name of Jesus are receivers of forgiveness.

23. Finding Forgiveness Christians are to continue to confess sins, so the Faithful Father can forgive them. Christians are to continue to confess sins, so the Faithful Father can forgive them. We seek to “win our brothers”. We seek to “win our brothers”. We may simply have to accept loss and forgive from the heart. We may simply have to accept loss and forgive from the heart.

24. Finding Forgiveness Forgiving someone might lead to trust, but it will take time. Forgiving someone might lead to trust, but it will take time. Forgiveness is actions AND words. Forgiveness is actions AND words. Showing someone that we are sorry is important. Showing someone that we are sorry is important. We need to forget, as we can. We need to forget, as we can.

25. Initial Forgiveness