Crossroads Church - Plymouth, IN
The Truth About Forgiveness
Worship Gathering
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Crossroads Church
1650 N Oak Dr, Plymouth, IN 46563, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
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https://crossroads-efc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/74/responses/newUnpacking Forgiveness by Chris Brauns
This book is a very helpful guide to understanding biblical forgiveness. It is a resource referenced throughout this series.
https://www.christianbook.com/unpacking-forgiveness-biblical-answers-complex-questions/chris-brauns/9781581349801/pd/349801?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=books-0-20%7C349801&p=1179710&utm_source=google&kw=&mt=&dv=c&event=SHOP&p=1221303&cb_src=google&cb_typ=pmax&cb_cmp=18087584545&cb_adg=&cb_kyw=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmouZBhDSARIsALYcouorqU178QEXAtregygBBZkOMYiC7XQgPYjYVtyempKH4EFNaJeBlZ8aAm8aEALw_wcBWhat if they don’t repent?
Forgiveness means you are open to whatever measure of reconciliation is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in each person.
Luke 17:3-4 - Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
What if the offender doesn’t repent?
1. They don’t know they hurt you.
2. They know and don’t care they hurt you or simply don’t agree about the sin.
1. They don’t know they hurt you.
2. They know and don’t care they hurt you or simply don’t agree about the sin.
Proverbs 17:14 (NLT) - Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 19:11 (ESV) - Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV) - Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
“Dropping it” is not:
1. License to avoid confrontation.
2. The same as automatic forgiveness.
3. Stuffing it.
Proverbs 19:11 (ESV) - Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV) - Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
“Dropping it” is not:
1. License to avoid confrontation.
2. The same as automatic forgiveness.
3. Stuffing it.
Diagnostic Questions (Brauns 98-102)
1. Have I examined myself yet?
2. How sure am I that I am right?
3. How important is this?
4. Does this person show a pattern of this kind of behavior?
5. What do wise people counsel me to do?
6. What else is going on in the other person’s world?
1. Have I examined myself yet?
2. How sure am I that I am right?
3. How important is this?
4. Does this person show a pattern of this kind of behavior?
5. What do wise people counsel me to do?
6. What else is going on in the other person’s world?
Romans 12:17–21 (ESV) - Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20To 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.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
What to do…
1. Resolve not to take revenge
1. Resolve not to take revenge
Luke 6:27–28 (ESV) - “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you…”
Lack of repentance is not:
· Permission for you to get revenge – outward action
· A license for you to harbor bitterness and anger – inward heart
· Your opportunity to convince them they are wrong
Lack of repentance is not:
· Permission for you to get revenge – outward action
· A license for you to harbor bitterness and anger – inward heart
· Your opportunity to convince them they are wrong
What to do…
2. Love your enemy
a. Do good to those who hate you.
b. Bless those who curse you.
c. Pray for those who abuse you
2. Love your enemy
a. Do good to those who hate you.
b. Bless those who curse you.
c. Pray for those who abuse you
Discussion Questions
1. Why is revenge so tempting – especially when the offender does not confess and repent? Discuss small and subtle ways we are tempted to take revenge in everyday ways.
2. Discuss the idea of “dropping it.” What Scripture was used to speak of this and why is it important to consider?
3. Review the Diagnostic Questions presented. Do you find these helpful? Why or why not? Is there anything else you would add or change?
4. Read 1 Peter 2:21-25. Discuss the example of Christ and how He leads us in responding to being sinned against.
5. Can you describe a time when someone you know showed creativity in loving in a proactive way?
6. Discuss practical ways to live the command of Jesus to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you…” (Luke 6:27-28).
7. Finish with a time of prayer focused on Romans 12:9. Father, empower us by your Spirit to love genuinely, abhor evil and hold fast to what is good!
1. Why is revenge so tempting – especially when the offender does not confess and repent? Discuss small and subtle ways we are tempted to take revenge in everyday ways.
2. Discuss the idea of “dropping it.” What Scripture was used to speak of this and why is it important to consider?
3. Review the Diagnostic Questions presented. Do you find these helpful? Why or why not? Is there anything else you would add or change?
4. Read 1 Peter 2:21-25. Discuss the example of Christ and how He leads us in responding to being sinned against.
5. Can you describe a time when someone you know showed creativity in loving in a proactive way?
6. Discuss practical ways to live the command of Jesus to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you…” (Luke 6:27-28).
7. Finish with a time of prayer focused on Romans 12:9. Father, empower us by your Spirit to love genuinely, abhor evil and hold fast to what is good!