2. Forgiveness

3. Not About … “Offended” as in hurt feelings “Getting Over It”/”Moving On” “Forbearance”

4. Only God Forgives Only God can forgive, because sin is against God. Psalm 51:2-4 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

5. Now In Christ Mark 2:1-11 It was controversial for Jesus to claim the right to forgive sins. Claiming the right to forgive sins was claiming divine authority.

6. Now In Christ Jesus extends this privilege to his disciples. John 20:20-23 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

7. The Way of the World Genesis 4:23-24 “… If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.” Matthew 5:25-26 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

8. The Way of the Gospel Matthew 18:21-22 … “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” Romans 12:19-21 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

9. The Mystery Forgiveness reenacts the gospel. Colossians 3:12-13 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

10. The Mystery Forgiveness takes place in the presence of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ. See also Matthew 18:12-22

11. The Mystery Forgiveness is a means of grace. Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.