"Passing your test"

1. Wednesday Night in the Word The Messiah Center "Passing your test" Summer semester June - August

2. "Passing your test" The FORGIVENESS Test Wednesday Night in the Word The Messiah Center

3. "Passing your test" Matt 18:21-22 21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. KJV

4. "Passing your test" Matt 18:23-35 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

5. "Passing your test" Matt 18:23-35 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. KJV

6. "Passing your test" Description: When we take up an offense (whether someone else’s or our own) and we can’t let it go. When we are entrapped by bitterness, anger and hatred. *** Attempting to lead or serve while carrying this bondage can be devastating because it is easy for others to be influenced and to pick up these same offenses and become trapped themselves. • Purpose: To disclose this inner trap and teach us to accept and demonstrate the Godly characteristic of forgiveness Forgiving in your heart even those who have hurt us unjustly (which shows that one is a true follower of Christ). The advantages and benefits of this disclosure are shown both to: • You the person • Others • Forgiveness is SPIRITUAL!!!

7. "Passing your test" What is forgiveness? • Forgiveness is the mental, and/or spiritual process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger against another person for a perceived offense, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution Wednesday Night in the Word - The Messiah Center

8. "Passing your test" FORGIVENESS • OF ENEMIES • INSTANCES OF Esau forgives Jacob Joseph forgives his brothers Moses forgives the Israelites David forgives Saul Jesus forgives his enemies • OF SINS Wednesday Night in the Word - The Messiah Center

9. "Passing your test" Divine Forgiveness Heb 8:12 (NIV) "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Isa 43:25 (NIV) "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. ??? Forgiveness: Conditional or Unconditional?

10. "Passing your test" Conditional Forgiveness • Mat 6:12 "Forgive us the wrongs that we have done, as we forgive the wrongs others have done us." • Luke 6:37 (NIV) "...Forgive, and you will be forgiven." • Mat 6:14-15 (NIV) "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But, if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.“ ??? Forgiveness: Can we do what God does?

11. "Passing your test" We Can Do What God Does • Col 3:12-13 (Jer) You are God's chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. • 1 Pet 2:21-23 (NEB) To that you were called, because Christ suffered on your behalf, and thereby left you an example; it is for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin, he was convicted of no falsehood; when he was abused he did not retort with abuse, when he suffered he uttered no threats, but committed his cause to the One who judges justly.

12. "Passing your test" What are the benefits of Forgiveness • Removes “mistrust” (the grounds of alienation) & produces a “peace of mind” (Psalms 32:5-7/Rom 5:1) • Brings consciousness of God’s love and mercy (Psalms 103:2) • Removes fear of punishment (2 Sam 12:13)

13. "Passing your test" How can We do what God Does • Accept and walk in forgiveness • Do unto others; Consider yourself (Matt 7:12 & Luke 6:27-37) • Forsake the desire for Revenge (Rom 12:17-21 & 1 Pet 3:9) • Communicate forgiveness to others

14. "Passing your test" We Can Do What God Does • 1 Pet 3:9 (NEB) Do not repay wrong with wrong, or abuse with abuse; on the contrary, retaliate with blessing, for a blessing is the inheritance to which you yourselves have been called. • Eph 4:31-32 (Phi) Let there be no more bitter resentment or anger, no more shouting or slander, and let there be no bad feeling of any kind among you. Be kind to each other, be compassionate. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. • Heb 12:15 (Jer) Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a whole community.