Weekend Sermon - Christian Characteristics - Forgiveness

 Thank you Lord for the opportunity to post this message. Thank you who are reading this for taking the time to do so. 

For today's message, we are continuing are current series on Christian characteristics. ForgivenesF is our characteristics today, and I think that this may very well be the hardest area of the Christian life to live out in imitation of Christ.

The Lord demands that those who follow Him be those who forgive others. Jesus said that if we are not willing to forgive others for the wrongs done unto us, we will not be forgiven by God. The Lord's Prayer states, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who tresspass against us." 

On one occassion, Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive someone who sinned against him seven times. Jesus stunned Peter by saying not just seven times, but seventy times seven times. In other words, we should forgive on an unlimited basis.

Jesus told an important parable on the subject of forgiveness. He said that a man had a servant who owed him a great amount. The servant begged to be forgiven of the debt, and the master did forgive it. Later, the servant was asked by a fellow servant to forgive a small debt. The servant who had been forgiven did not forgive his fellow servant. This angered the master who withdrew his forgiveness.

We must forgive because we have been forgiven of so much. We have all sinned against a Holy God, and we can do nothing to earn forgiveness. Because He loves us, God sent His Son to redeem us and provide the way of forgiveness through His death and resurrection. When we truly realize what we have been forgiven of, how can we not forgive others.

I know that it is hard to forgive someone that really hurts us. We can only do it through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus is our example of forgiveness. He forgave Peter for denying Him three times. Jesus even asked the Father to forgive those who were mocking Him while He was on the cross bearing the sins of this world.

If you are having trouble forgiving someone, ask the Lord to give you the grace and strength to follow the example of Jesus. Amen

Prayer Requests

Please pray that I will be able to find a better job.

Let us thank the Lord that a coronavirus vaccine is on the way. Let us pray that those who are sick will get well soon. 

Continue praying for peace. Libya, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Syria need our prayers.

For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for Western Sahara and Sri Lanka. Pray that many will hear about the love of Jesus.

Next week, we will conclude our current series. I will post the verses on Monday and a review on Wednesday. May God bless you.