Cheyenne Hills Church
Unshakables - Power of Forgiveness
Jon Simpson - Associate Pastor
Locations & Times
Cheyenne Hills Church
7505 US-30, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
Forgiveness is a powerful force necessary for addressing the pervasive effects of sin in our world. It is essential both to seek and to offer generously.
The Need for Forgiveness in Marriages: For marriages to be unshakeable, it's crucial to combat primary disruptors such as offense, unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness. These elements are often at the heart of loveless marriages and divorces.
Biblical Foundation of Forgiveness: Christianity offers a unique approach to forgiveness that contrasts with other beliefs such as karma or impersonal philosophies. It teaches complete forgiveness through the sacrifice of God himself. This is crucial for understanding and embracing forgiveness.
Scriptural Insights:
Matthew 6:9-15: "Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 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.'"
Romans 3:21-26: "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
Romans 6:20-23: "For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The Path to Freedom Through Forgiveness: Forgiveness acts as a key to unlock freedom from the effects of sin. A heart burdened by offense and hurt cannot find true freedom without it.
The Cycle of Unforgiveness and Its Consequences:
- Begins with an offense, leading to isolation.
- Grows into unforgiveness, which fuels sin patterns and results in bitterness, ultimately trapping the individual.
Jesus’ Solution:
- Starts with forgiving the offense.
- Maintains fellowship with God, leading to unity and harmony with others, which is fruitful and fulfilling.
Peter’s Inquiry and Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness:
Matthew 18:21-35: "Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘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-seven times. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.'"
Strength Through Forgiveness:
1 Peter 4:19: "Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
Daily Practice of Forgiveness:
Ephesians 4:26-27: "And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil."
The Cost of Forgiveness: Forgiveness requires bearing the burden of one’s anger and choosing to release the other person from the debt of their offense. This process is painful but necessary for true healing and freedom.
By integrating these biblical principles and teachings, forgiveness can be rightly understood and practiced, leading to stronger, more resilient relationships and a deeper personal freedom.
The Need for Forgiveness in Marriages: For marriages to be unshakeable, it's crucial to combat primary disruptors such as offense, unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness. These elements are often at the heart of loveless marriages and divorces.
Biblical Foundation of Forgiveness: Christianity offers a unique approach to forgiveness that contrasts with other beliefs such as karma or impersonal philosophies. It teaches complete forgiveness through the sacrifice of God himself. This is crucial for understanding and embracing forgiveness.
Scriptural Insights:
Matthew 6:9-15: "Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 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.'"
Romans 3:21-26: "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
Romans 6:20-23: "For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The Path to Freedom Through Forgiveness: Forgiveness acts as a key to unlock freedom from the effects of sin. A heart burdened by offense and hurt cannot find true freedom without it.
The Cycle of Unforgiveness and Its Consequences:
- Begins with an offense, leading to isolation.
- Grows into unforgiveness, which fuels sin patterns and results in bitterness, ultimately trapping the individual.
Jesus’ Solution:
- Starts with forgiving the offense.
- Maintains fellowship with God, leading to unity and harmony with others, which is fruitful and fulfilling.
Peter’s Inquiry and Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness:
Matthew 18:21-35: "Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘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-seven times. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.'"
Strength Through Forgiveness:
1 Peter 4:19: "Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
Daily Practice of Forgiveness:
Ephesians 4:26-27: "And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil."
The Cost of Forgiveness: Forgiveness requires bearing the burden of one’s anger and choosing to release the other person from the debt of their offense. This process is painful but necessary for true healing and freedom.
By integrating these biblical principles and teachings, forgiveness can be rightly understood and practiced, leading to stronger, more resilient relationships and a deeper personal freedom.