Sermons on forgiveness
Rebuke, Repentance, and Forgiveness
In this sermon, we consider the important teaching of Jesus on rebuke, repentance, and forgiveness. There is much practical help that we need to do this constructively. More important than practical help, we must remember the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ toward us and follow his life and teaching. May this teaching help us all to deal with sin among believers and be characterized by humility and forgiveness. Passage: Luke 17:3-4
The Father and Two Sons
Jesus tells the famous parable of the prodigal son. In this parable we learn to about sin, repentance, and celebrating with those who are reconciled to God. What is most profound, however, is the picture of the love of God as expressed through the father in Jesus’ story. It is this love of God that should compel us to come and be forgiven our sins and this love of God that should cause us to celebrate the goodness of God.…
The New Covenant: Forgiveness that Forgets
Sin is the biggest problem standing in the way of a relationship with God. Humanity has tried a number of ways to deal with the problem of sin but none of them are effective. God deals with sin by being merciful and forgiving to such an extent that the all-knowing God forgets sin! This promise is part of the terms of the new covenant and guarantees its success.
The Pain of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is costly to the one granting forgiveness. It was costly to God to forgive his people and it is costly for us to forgive one another. The pain and hurt that is caused by being treated unjustly can only be removed by fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ. So just how do we do that? What does that mean? This sermon explores those important questions.
The Necessity of Forgiveness
Jesus tells us in the strongest of language that Christians must forgive. To withhold forgiveness is to put yourself in danger of eternal condemnation. Since we must forgive, the obvious question becomes, “How do we treat someone who is unrepentant or where reconciliation is impossible?” To answer that question, we look at Romans 12. We commit not to take revenge, we proactively show love, and we leave room for the wrath of God.
The Hope of Forgiveness
There is hope in forgiveness. There is joy and satisfaction in being forgiven by God and extending forgiveness to others. But what is forgiveness? How should Christians forgive? We are called to forgive others as God has forgiven us. God forgiveness is (1) gracious, yet costly; (2) conditional; (3) a commitment not to hold sin against us; (4) inseparable from reconciliation; and (5) does not mean that all consequences are removed. From these things we can appreciate more Christian forgiveness.