Forgiveness: Cling To The Good

Forgiveness  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  26:22
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Bringing peace to our world.

This is a very hard task, job, path, journey or whatever other word you would like to use. We know that Jesus is our peace, He is the Prince of Peace. I think of the words of the prophet Jeremiah who said,
Jeremiah 29:7 NIV
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Sin removes peace.

Our world is a sinful place. I know this to be true because I am sinful; so are you. Sin create pain, chaos, brokenness, strained relationships, and much much more.

Forgiveness helps to restore peace.

Within us and around us. Yet, this runs counter to our “natural” state.

Revenge and retaliation are much easier.

We must fight the battle against heading down this path when we are hurt and wronged. When we suffer because of our sin and someone else’s sin.

We need the Spirit.

Paul makes it clear in our text one of the defining characteristics of a Christian is the control of the Spirit on their life. Forgiveness is much easier when we allow the Holy Spirit to control us. On Memorial Day this year I will be preaching on the Holy Spirit as it is Pentecost Sunday.

Forgiveness is not a one-time act nor decision.

One of the misconceptions we may have about forgiveness is that if I do it once I am all good. This may work for somethings but others we must be reminded of it.

We must cling to forgiveness.

The principle for this is based in verse 15 and to some extent verse 22. The words used in these two verses are different but convey a similar theme: pursue at all cost, hunt down, keep, persevere in the good.

Forgiveness is good.

We must remind ourselves of this. Sometimes it will not “feel” good but following Jesus and His example is always good. We are to do good to everyone Paul says, not just those we like or those in the church.

The results: joy, prayers, gratitude and peace.

Given time and the continued work of the Spirit the negative emotions of vengeance, hatred, jealousy, envy may be replaced. No the pain and remembrance of the pain may not go away but we learn to have all these “positive and good” emotions and thoughts.

Let the Spirit control.

Easy to say but very hard to do.
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