1. MISSIONsupport The Mission of FORGIVNESSMatthew 18:21-35 Message Five

2. Thesis Refusing to forgive is a bitter experience that builds a monument to self and spite.

3. Point 1 We quickly reveal how open we are to God and available we are to Christlikeness by how we respond to people who have offended us.

4. An Experiential Exegesis ofYour Bitter Behavior 1. You nurseit

5. An Experiential Exegesis ofYour Bitter Behavior 1. You nurse it 2. You rehearseit

6. An Experiential Exegesis ofYour Bitter Behavior 1. You nurse it 2. You rehearse it 3. You are cursed from it

7. The Mission of Forgiveness 1. God has already forgiven us Eph 4:32-5:2 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us

8. Point 2 If you do not feel truly forgiven by God, it may be because you have not forgiven someone else. Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

9. Point 3 You will never have to forgive anybody more than God has forgiven you.

10. The Mission of Forgiveness 1. God has already forgiven us 2. Resentment does not work Job 5:2 For wrath killeththe foolish man

11. Point 4 When you allow anger or grief or sorrow to roam freely in your heart, it leads you to end up doing stupid stuff (Job 5:2). Eccl 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger restethin the bosom of fools.

12. Definition Resentment is nothing more than stewing without doing.

13. Point 5 If you hold onto a hurt, you are swallowing a self-inflicted wound.

14. The Mission of Forgiveness 1. God has already forgiven us 2. Resentment does not work 3. Forgiveness is something Ineed, too

15. Point 6 If you hold onto a hurt from yesterday, you are giving the Devil and your abuser power over your life today.

16. What Forgiveness Is Not A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense

17. What Forgiveness Is Not A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense B. Forgiveness is not acceptance 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

18. What Forgiveness Is Not A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense B. Forgiveness is not acceptance C. Forgiveness is not instant restoration of trust

19. What Forgiveness Is Not A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense B. Forgiveness is not acceptance C. Forgiveness is not instant restoration of trust D. Forgiveness is not resuming the relationship without any changes

20. What Forgiveness Is Not A. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense B. Forgiveness is not acceptance C. Forgiveness is not instant restoration of trust D. Forgiveness is not resuming the relationship without any changes E. Forgiveness is not reconciliation

21. The Freedom for Forgiveness 1. Recognize that we are all imperfect James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. Eccl 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinnethnot.

22. The Freedom for Forgiveness 1. Recognize that we are all imperfect 2. Relinquish your right to get revenge Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

23. Point 7 You know you have finally given it to God when the hurt does not hurt you any more.

24. The Freedom for Forgiveness 1. Recognize that we are all imperfect 2. Relinquish your right to get revenge 3. Respond to evil with good Luke 6:27-28 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

25. The Freedom for Forgiveness 1. Recognize that we are all imperfect 2. Relinquish your right to get revenge 3. Respond to evil with good 4. Refocus on God’s mission

26. Point 8 If you do not release your offender you will begin to resemble your offender. Job 11:13-16 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

27. Point 9 The mission God has for you is greater than what happened to you.

28. COME FORWARD For prayer