Sep 30th, 2012 Working for Unity Part 3 Forgive

Taking a short break from our series in the book of Acts to touch on the subject of Unity among the body. This is part 3 in the series titled “Working for Unity” and focuses on Forgiveness.

If you want a study tool to go along with the podcast, see Lift Notes here:

Working for Unity, Part 3: Forgive

September 30, 2012  by Kasey Crawford

Today’s Passage: Luke 17:3-4 and Matthew 18:15-17, 21-35

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, ⁴ and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 

-Jesus  in   Luke 17:3–4

Review: Jesus teaches a rhythm of rebuke, repent and forgive as a regular part of healthy community life together (7 times a day) so that wedges can be removed and authentic unity can be forged so that the power of the Spirit can flow through in and through us most powerfully to bring his Kingdom.

What is forgiveness?

Matthew 18:21-35

• The root of the word means to _______ _____.

When God says forgive, what is he calling us to let go of?

• According to this parable (Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus’ call is to let go of your _________ to ______________.

As the apostle Paul says, Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:16 

When we forgive, we give the situation/person over to God and entrust that God will take care of them in a ________ way in  _______ timing.

Where do we get the strength to forgive?

The illustration from the story:

• A denarii is ______ day’s wages.
• Each talent contained __________ denarii.
• And the servant owed 10,000 talents
• which means he owed a total of 100_________ days wages.
• So the servant is doomed, but the servant experiences a master who _____ ___ of his right to punish.

Jesus is saying that if you truly ____________ the life-transforming reality of having your entire un-payable record of debts against God canceled….you will become a _________ person.

Jesus teaches his followers that in the context of their relationships, we are not to hold on to  ________, or __________ anger, or allow emotional _______ to separate one another, or punish offenses as they ________, because that is not how _______ is with you.

Holding onto unforgiveness is like swallowing ___________ and hoping someone else gets ________.

Does a willingness to forgive make you a doormat?

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17

To forgive someone doesn’t mean that you let them __________ to do what they are doing.  To forgive means to let go of your right to punish them, but it does _____ mean you allow them to go on hurting you.

So this passage shows that there is a difference between forgiveness and ____________. Forgiveness is when you let go of the right to punish and reconciliation is when you are restored to fellowship together.  Forgiveness is ________ what God wants, but reconciliation is not always possible if a person is unwilling to _________.

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