Matt. 18:23-35
Does everyone deserve Forgiveness? Is there a limit to what God can forgive? Does God have the power to forgive us no matter what we have done?
Forgiveness is so important that ….. Without it there is no hope! Without it there is no Christianity! Without it we are condemned to die.
You see the bible tells us that we have all sinned and that the wages of our sin is death! That means that every sinner has a large debt to pay to death! The problem is that this debt is so big that not even all the money in the world could pay our way out. This debt could only be paid by with blood! This is why Christ poured out his own blood on the cross for us! So that we would not pay the ultimate price of death!
Well I have NEVER sinned some can say! So lets play the guilty or innocent game! Are you ready? The bible says that sin is an offense against the law of God. So check it out! If your good in all of these areas than you don’t need forgiveness!
1.’You shall have no other gods before Me.‘
2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image.”
3.’You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.‘
4.’Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.‘
5.’Honor your father and your mother.‘
6.’You shall not murder.‘
7.’You shall not commit adultery.‘
8.’You shall not steal.‘
9.’You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.‘
10.’You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.‘
Are you still feeling innocent? I thought you wouldn’t! We have all sinned and fallen from God, this is why we need forgiveness.
To experience the Power of Forgiveness you must first………..
1. RECEIVE IT (Matt. 18:23-27)
No matter what you’ve done you can receive it thru Jesus Christ!
A. Redemption
B. Reconciliation
2. GIVE IT (Matt 18: 28-35)
The Power of Forgiveness is not only experienced when you receive it but when you give it!
A. Compassion
B. Mercy
C. Grace
3. EMBRACE IT
When we don’t forgive ourselves and others, some things are born and begin to take place in our hearts.
We have all hurt and been hurt! We’ve either hurt God with our sin and need FORGIVENESS or someone has hurt us and we need to FORGIVE. What ever the case maybe, the POWER OF FORGIVENESS can change your life if you allow it!
Nothing will ever be more powerful than the words that where once said over 2000 years ago from a cross.
“Father forgive them for they know not what they do”
Have a blessed Day
Pastor Eric
