Calvary Church
The Freedom of Forgiveness
Locations & Times
Calvary Church
4700 53rd St, Moline, IL 61265, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
1. The PROMISE of Forgiveness (Brought to Us by Jesus)
•The O.T. Gives Some Preview of the Forgiveness that would come in Christ
*(The word “forgiveness” is only found 3xs in the entire O.T.)
• Psalm 130 speaks of the forgiveness of God (& points to coming redemption)
*(The word “forgiveness” is only found 3xs in the entire O.T.)
• Psalm 130 speaks of the forgiveness of God (& points to coming redemption)
• The New Testament clearly shows that forgiveness of sin is available in Christ Jesus
•It is clear that forgiveness of sin is available through faith in Jesus Christ!
2. We Are Commanded to FORGIVE Others Even As God Has Forgiven Us!
• In multiple places the Bible speaks very clearly of our obligation to forgive others!
*We are to give the forgiveness given to us!
*We are to give the forgiveness given to us!
Matthew 18:24 (Ten Thousand Talents) - “HALLEY’S BIBLE HANDBOOK, 1965, page 442” -
“A talent was about $1000. A pence (or denari) was about 17 cents. The man was forgiven $10,000,000, but was unwilling to forgive $17. That is Jesus’ comparison of our own sins against God to those sinned against us. Notice Jesus’ statement that there is no hope of forgiveness unless we forgive.”
• Note – In 2 Kings 15:19 we read of Menahem giving Pul, the king of Assyria 1,000 talents of silver on behalf of the entire nation to convince him to leave them and not continue to attack them.
•“Pul, king of Assyria, came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver so that his hand might be with him to strengthen the kingdom under his rule.”
*God is a God of forgiveness! (We are called to be like Him!)
*The Bible has very strong words about our need to forgive!
“A talent was about $1000. A pence (or denari) was about 17 cents. The man was forgiven $10,000,000, but was unwilling to forgive $17. That is Jesus’ comparison of our own sins against God to those sinned against us. Notice Jesus’ statement that there is no hope of forgiveness unless we forgive.”
• Note – In 2 Kings 15:19 we read of Menahem giving Pul, the king of Assyria 1,000 talents of silver on behalf of the entire nation to convince him to leave them and not continue to attack them.
•“Pul, king of Assyria, came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver so that his hand might be with him to strengthen the kingdom under his rule.”
*God is a God of forgiveness! (We are called to be like Him!)
*The Bible has very strong words about our need to forgive!
3. Forgiveness Brings FREEDOM to The Forgiven & The One Forgiving!
• Unforgiveness is seen in relationships all the time! (It is destructive)
• Why is God so determined that we must forgive others?
• Forgiveness obviously frees the one who needs forgiveness!
• Forgiveness also frees the one who forgives! (Removes bitterness!) (Allows Us to move forward!)
• The Greatest Commandments. (Love God)(Love Others)(The Whole Law
Fulfilled)(Forgiveness is a valuable part of Loving Others!)(To forgive is Christlike!)
• Why is God so determined that we must forgive others?
• Forgiveness obviously frees the one who needs forgiveness!
• Forgiveness also frees the one who forgives! (Removes bitterness!) (Allows Us to move forward!)
• The Greatest Commandments. (Love God)(Love Others)(The Whole Law
Fulfilled)(Forgiveness is a valuable part of Loving Others!)(To forgive is Christlike!)
4. The Dangerous Effects of UNFORGIVENESS
• Hardness of Heart in All Relationships
• Difficulty in Trusting Others, Including God
• Open Doors to Demonic Forces & Schemes of Satan
• Focus on Self (Hurts, Wounds) Rather Than Love For Others
•Can Lead to Vengeance, Greater Hurt & Pain For Many People
• Difficulty in Trusting Others, Including God
• Open Doors to Demonic Forces & Schemes of Satan
• Focus on Self (Hurts, Wounds) Rather Than Love For Others
•Can Lead to Vengeance, Greater Hurt & Pain For Many People
Quotes From Various Articles On Unforgiveness
“Unforgiveness is the single most popular poison that the enemy uses
against God's people, and it is one of the deadliest poisons a person
can take spiritually. It causes everything from mental depression, to
health problems such as cancer and arthritis”
“When I was first ordained a priest, I believed that over 50 percent of
all problems were at least in part due to unforgiveness. After ten years
in ministry, I revised my estimate and maintained 75 to 80 percent of
all health, marital, family, and financial problems came from
unforgiveness. Now, after more than twenty years in ministry, I have
concluded that over 90 percent of all problems are rooted in
unforgiveness.”
“If you don’t forgive those who have sinned against you, it is very
probable that you will suffer some health problems. If you carry around
a grudge it will stress your immune system to the point you can develop
everything from cancer to a common cold. THAT’S A FACT!” (from
Focus On The Family Article)
“When a person understands the effect of this deadly force, a red light
flashes on the heart when unforgiveness comes knocking on the door.
This force is so deadly that it has ruined many relationships, careers,
businesses, led many to their sick beds and many to their early graves.”
“Unforgiveness is the single most popular poison that the enemy uses
against God's people, and it is one of the deadliest poisons a person
can take spiritually. It causes everything from mental depression, to
health problems such as cancer and arthritis”
“When I was first ordained a priest, I believed that over 50 percent of
all problems were at least in part due to unforgiveness. After ten years
in ministry, I revised my estimate and maintained 75 to 80 percent of
all health, marital, family, and financial problems came from
unforgiveness. Now, after more than twenty years in ministry, I have
concluded that over 90 percent of all problems are rooted in
unforgiveness.”
“If you don’t forgive those who have sinned against you, it is very
probable that you will suffer some health problems. If you carry around
a grudge it will stress your immune system to the point you can develop
everything from cancer to a common cold. THAT’S A FACT!” (from
Focus On The Family Article)
“When a person understands the effect of this deadly force, a red light
flashes on the heart when unforgiveness comes knocking on the door.
This force is so deadly that it has ruined many relationships, careers,
businesses, led many to their sick beds and many to their early graves.”
• Forgiveness (Enemies who do terrible things)(Loved ones who hurt us)
*Love Enables Us To Overcome Evil With Good (Forgiveness Is A Key Part of This)
*Love Enables Us To Overcome Evil With Good (Forgiveness Is A Key Part of This)
5. Great Examples of the Power of Forgiveness!
•The Greatest Example of Forgiveness Ever Came From Jesus While On The Cross!
• He who came in love and innocence was spit upon, mocked, beaten, scourged & crucified!
*While on the cross He extended forgiveness!
• He who came in love and innocence was spit upon, mocked, beaten, scourged & crucified!
*While on the cross He extended forgiveness!
• Testimony of Sue Norton(1990)(Forgave Robert Knighton) (Robert Knighton Murdered Sue’s Father & Step-Mother)(Sue Norton chose to forgive Robert Knighton & Minister to Him in Prison)
• Steve Saint provides a modern day example of the power of forgiveness. He forgave the man who murdered his father. He now loves that man (Mincaye) and calls him grandfather. They have traveled together to speak of the life changing power of forgiveness found by faith in Jesus Christ. (Mincaye is of the Waodani People)
•Testimony of the Amish people in West Nickel Mines Pennsylvania (2006)
*Oct. 2, 2006 – Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Nickels Mine School Shooting) (10 Amish Girls shot – Ages 6-13)(5 Died)
*Forgiveness extended to shooter’s Parents and to his Wife & Children
*Amish travel to shooter’s family the same day to extend forgiveness
*Amish attend funeral of shooter
*Amish Bishop said “It’s just a normal part of our living”.
*Another Amish man said when asked about this kind of forgiveness – “It’s just standard Christian forgiveness. It’s what everyone should be doing.”
*It comes from Jesus’ teachings in the Bible –
*Terri Roberts (Shooter’s Mother) has now for years helped to care for one of the victims of the shooting, (Rosanna) going once a week to the home of the Amish family who forgave her (read to her, bath her,
dry her hair, etc.)
• Steve Saint provides a modern day example of the power of forgiveness. He forgave the man who murdered his father. He now loves that man (Mincaye) and calls him grandfather. They have traveled together to speak of the life changing power of forgiveness found by faith in Jesus Christ. (Mincaye is of the Waodani People)
•Testimony of the Amish people in West Nickel Mines Pennsylvania (2006)
*Oct. 2, 2006 – Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Nickels Mine School Shooting) (10 Amish Girls shot – Ages 6-13)(5 Died)
*Forgiveness extended to shooter’s Parents and to his Wife & Children
*Amish travel to shooter’s family the same day to extend forgiveness
*Amish attend funeral of shooter
*Amish Bishop said “It’s just a normal part of our living”.
*Another Amish man said when asked about this kind of forgiveness – “It’s just standard Christian forgiveness. It’s what everyone should be doing.”
*It comes from Jesus’ teachings in the Bible –
*Terri Roberts (Shooter’s Mother) has now for years helped to care for one of the victims of the shooting, (Rosanna) going once a week to the home of the Amish family who forgave her (read to her, bath her,
dry her hair, etc.)
6. The PROCESS of Forgiveness
• Forgiving others is like removing the chains we have placed on them.
• Forgiving others is like releasing them from a yoke of bondage
• Forgiving others involves releasing them from guilt and condemnation
• In forgiving others we release ourselves from the burden of unforgiveness and we free ourselves to move forward in joy and peace.
• Forgiveness is sometimes a process that takes a continued choice over time.
• Choosing to forgive does not guarantee all feelings change immediately
• A key to forgiveness – pray for God’s blessing upon the person you are forgiving (Return good for evil)(Heap burning coals upon their head – Isaiah 6)
• Forgiveness is possible because a deep trust in God’s ability to cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28-29)
• There is no greater freedom than the freedom that comes through experiencing the forgiveness that can be found through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin!
• We are commanded to forgive and we find inner freedom when we do forgive others!
• Forgiving others is like releasing them from a yoke of bondage
• Forgiving others involves releasing them from guilt and condemnation
• In forgiving others we release ourselves from the burden of unforgiveness and we free ourselves to move forward in joy and peace.
• Forgiveness is sometimes a process that takes a continued choice over time.
• Choosing to forgive does not guarantee all feelings change immediately
• A key to forgiveness – pray for God’s blessing upon the person you are forgiving (Return good for evil)(Heap burning coals upon their head – Isaiah 6)
• Forgiveness is possible because a deep trust in God’s ability to cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28-29)
• There is no greater freedom than the freedom that comes through experiencing the forgiveness that can be found through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin!
• We are commanded to forgive and we find inner freedom when we do forgive others!
Conc. – Jesus Died for Sin So We Can Be Forgiven & Forgive Others!