August 25, 2008

  • 10 LIFECHANGING CHOICES [#5]


    based on an outline by James McDonald

    I Choose to Forgive 
    (Capacity Choice #1)
    Matthew 6:14-15
    Eric Fehrman - taught 7/16/08 to Jr & Sr High

    INTRO
    • I CAN'T change my past... I CAN choose to forgive.
    • The church has often under emphasized this aspect of the Christians life... the choice we are discussing tonight is HUGE, it is LIFE-CHANGING.  Forgiveness is a BIG, BIG, BIG, deal in the life of the believer and the life of the church.

    1. The IMPORTANCE of Forgiveness
        • READ MATT 6:12, 14-15
        • FORGIVENESS =  A decision to release a person from their obligation that resulted when they injured you
        • Christians are forgiving people. NOT perfect, but increasingly forgiving and gracious.
        • Unforgiveness looks like this...
          >  you OWE me
          >  I'm going to make you PAY...
          >  by slandering you, by hating you, by reacting in kind
          >  by recruiting others to my bitterness
          >  unforgiveness is driven by the pain of the past
        • Forgiveness looks like this...
          >  you don't owe me
          >  I'm not looking for payment or payback
          >  I'm not trying to get even
          >  I'm not waiting for the chance to get you back

    2. The DANGER of Unforgiveness (its a SIN)
        • As followers of Jesus, we must see our unforgiveness for what it is... SIN!  STOP explaining it, STOP defending it, STOP cherishing it!
        • Forgiveness is both a CRISIS and a PROCESS
        • unforgiveness is a CANCER to the soul
        • Lets deal with some RATIONALIZATIONS
          >  the hurt is TOO BIG
          >  TIME will heal it
          >  I will forgive them when they say they are SORRY
          >  I can't forgive b/c I can't FORGET
          >  They'll do it again, they have to PAY

    3. A ILLUSTRATION of Forgiveness
        • TURN TO MATT 18:21-35
        • I Choose Forgiveness...
        >  vs 21-22  b/c forgiveness has NO LIMITS
        >  vs 23-27  b/c I am FORGIVEN
        >  vs 28-33  b/c unforgiveness DESTROYS relationships
        >  vs 34-35  b/c unforgiveness DESTROYS ME

    CONCLUSION
        • forgiveness is evidence of the power of Christ working in us.  When we forgive we show the surrounding world a (small) picture of the Gospel and what Jesus did on the cross.
        • Consider those who have injured you... consider the cross... now CHOOSE to forgive...
        • REPENT of your lack of forgiveness