Message Title: The Balm of Forgiveness
Date: May 30, 2021

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Glenn Wong's story


God calls every follower of His to be a forgiver

Why does God want us to forgive?

1. Because He loves you!
2. Faith enables me to see a freedom where others only see an offense

From Be The Bridge book:
If there is no room for forgiveness, we'll never get the sorts of honest confessions needed to create long term healing and wholeness. I'm hard pressed to come up with anything that has brought me more peace, freedom and long-term joy than choosing forgiveness. Forgiveness is a healing balm. It's the way to freedom, the way to peace.

What Forgiveness is NOT:
1. Forgiveness isn't forgetting

2. Forgiveness isn't fair

So, what is forgiveness?
Forgiveness is giving others what God gave you!

How's your flow?
--Forgiveness isn't just that which flows to us, but is that which flows through us.

--Forgiving someone else always sets you free.

It takes faith to forgive.
--because faith enables me to see an opportunity for freedom where others only see an opportunity for an offense.

Instead of "How much forgiveness do they deserve?" it's "How much freedom do you desire?"

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, forgive me, have mercy on me, save me. Jesus, be my LORD. Holy Spirit, fill me so that I can follow Jesus, display His love, walk in freedom and forgive others as You have forgiven me. My life is not my life anymore -- now it's Your life. Thank you for new life, now You have mine. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PCC BENEDICTION
May you jump into the arms of Jesus and may He push out into the world. May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others. Not because you must, but because you may. This is why we were born!

Beyond Sunday
At PCC, we want any person from any racial or ethnic background to feel like they are among family. In order to do so, we must become more aware of God’s heart for racial reconciliation, key historical events, and the harm caused to many. Each week, our “Be The Bridge'' (BTB) series will help us journey toward greater understanding, empathy and, in time, action. This week, we focus on how seeking and extending forgiveness is essential to being a bridge builder.

Individual / Group Discussion Questions

1. In the past week, what awareness have you gained when it comes to the topic of race and racial reconciliation? Or since the beginning of this study, how has God transformed you?

2. Read these passages out loud. Psalm 103:10-12, Matthew 5:43-44, Matthew 6:12-15, Luke 17:3-5, Ephesians 4:32, 1John 1:9. What feelings arose when they were read? What is this telling you about what it means to be a follower of Christ and His kingdom ways?

3. Gary Gaddini, our Lead Pastor, stated in his Sunday message the following: "God asks you to forgive because He loves you! God doesn’t ask you to forgive for the sake of the person who sinned against you...God asks you to forgive for your sake, to set you free! Doesn’t mean it’s easy—Increase our faith! Easy is choosing to be bitter, it will take faith to forgive!"

How do you see faith as an essential part of forgiveness? How have you seen forgiveness bring freedom to you and others?

4. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. declared: “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” How do you know when you have truly forgiven someone for something? How is forgiving different from trusting someone?

5. Reflect on these quotes from BTB pp. 114, 117.
In our Be the Bridge groups, we hope to cultivate spaces of forgiveness. After all, we’re asking members—people of all colors—to examine their complicity in racism, and if there’s no room for forgiveness, we’ll never get the sorts of honest confessions needed to create long-term healing and wholeness... Forgiveness is a healing balm. It’s the way to freedom, the way to peace. It’s the way to build lasting bridges too.

Brainstorm things that can hinder forgiveness from happening.

6. Examine your life with the intent of leading you toward forgiveness.
a. For what do you need to be forgiven? In general ways and/or specific racist, colorist, or other forms of prejudice and discrimination. Who might you need to call or visit and ask for forgiveness?
b. Who do you need to forgive? In general ways or specific ways of racism toward you or another. Include those who have created structural privilege.

As a group or individually, declare the prayer below or use the liturgy from BTB p.120:
A Prayer of Forgiveness (BTB p.119 at the end of Chapter 6)
God, I thank you for your Word and everlasting love. Thank you for providing us a clear path to reconciliation, one that builds bridges, closes gaps, and showcases your plan for us all. There is so much strife and conflict attempting to distract us from who you are, closing our minds and hardening our hearts against one another. I pray we are loosened from the chains of unforgiveness and that our hearts are softened toward one another so our journey forward together as your children will be victorious. Help us see your love in one another and strengthen our desire for community and oneness in you. Open our ears to listen to the stories of those around us so that we may better understand one another. Help us to release negative thoughts and ideas about others, even if there are past hurts, and to forgive. Thank you for forgiving us and fiercely loving us even when we have chosen to turn our backs on you. It is only by your grace we are able to walk this path. In your name, amen.

Resources
1. Get a FREE Be the Bridge book! [Pick up at church or request to be sent to your home]
2. Get in a Be the Bridge Group
3. Be the Bridge - Reading Schedule

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