The Fount of Forgiveness

Today we began a four week series on "Forgiveness." The message of Christ and of the Bible is one of forgiveness.

Ephesians 4:32 tells us we are to "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." The problem for most of us in the gap that lies between what we know and what we do. Yes, we know that forgiveness is important, we know that the message of Christ is one of forgiveness; but how forgiving are we?

As we begin this series, it seems appropriate to look to Christ, as He is the source of forgiveness. His life and His message remind us of the great importance of forgiveness in our everyday lives.

Here are the five truths we focused on as we considered Christ as the Fount of Forgiveness.

1. The PERSON He is
He is the God who forgives! (Exodus 34:5-7)

2. The PRAYER He taught
In Matthew 6:12-15 Jesus reminds us of the great importance of forgiveness in our prayer. The seriousness of our failure to forgive is highlighted in Mark 11:25-26.

3. The PEOPLE He met
When people met Jesus they heard a word that all people long for..."Forgiven"
     A. To the paralytic he said: "your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9:2)
     B. To the sinful woman he said: "Your sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:48)
     C. To the disciples he said: "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him."
Truly Jesus' interactions with others was filled with forgiveness!

4. The PASSION He endured
While dying on the cross, for the sins of men he prayed "Father, forgive them," (Luke 23:34)
Albert Barnes points out four truths from this brief prayer.
     A. We have a duty to pray for our enemies, even when they are endeavoring to injure us.
     B. We should pray that God would pardon them.
     C. We learn the power and excellence of the Christian religion. No other religion teaches men to pray for the forgiveness of enemies; no other disposes them to do it.
     D. The greatest sinners, through the intercession of Jesus, may obtain pardon.

5. The PURPOSE He gave
Our commission according to Luke 24:44-49 is to proclaim "that repentance and forgiveness of sine should be proclaimed in His name to all nations,"
So the message that needs to echo around the world is that men, women, boys and girls can be forgiven!

We can forgive others as we come to the Fount of Forgiveness and experience the forgiveness that Christ offers.

Seeing and sensing Christ's emphasis on forgiveness should make us forgiving people.

Are you a forgiving person?

Who do you need to forgive?

When will you forgive them?

Why are you waiting?

Let's live this week in light of His forgiveness and seeking to share that forgiveness with others.

Pastor Mike