But They Stepped On My J's

WE

EX. Little Kid steps on my Shoes

Transition: Something that I’ve noticed in the last few years is that culture that we live in doesn’t value forgiveness.

Why are we talking about forgiveness?

Bibibical principles don’t make since to us in the natural

Because they are counter curtual , they don’t line up with culture of this world

Today we will talk about something that is counter cultural

One of the things that will get in the way our peace/shalom is unforgiveness.

If The peace of God want us whole and restored, then Unforgiveness is something we get caught up in that has to sabotage Gods plan of restoration in our lives.

Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Full Context

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

This is nonnegotiable for God

In fact, Forgiving is a foundational principle to a Christ follower.

Vegetarian: But you only eat meat on Mon- Wed

Transition: You Might Say Pastor Chris I forgive everyone I forgave the person who messed my order at chipotle

What’s your limit? Everyone has someone or something that you struggles with forgiving

Usually what we are offering is cheap forgiveness

We say I forgive you, but usually that’s for the cheap things

I mean not for the real serious things we might struggle with

When someone betrays your trust

Takes advantage of your kindness

To forgive means to forgive a debit, something that was actually owned to you.

We honestly live in a culture who would rather CANCEL someone rather than show them true forgiveness.

I think why this is so easy for us to operate this way is because We live in a world where it is so easy to get offended.

We get offend by peoples (Use rocks)

social media post,

political parties,

choices

differences

If we aren’t careful that offense will become the door to unforgiveness

The church teaches us to forgive, but not how to forgive

They have been quick to inform us on the need to forgive others better usually haven’t provided practical steps on how to walk that out.

Backpack Weight Example

We can pick up offenses daily

When we hold on to that offence, now we are operating in unforgiveness

If I continue to carry these weights its going to tired me out, its going to effect way I do life.

If God wants to offer something to hold or steward

But when we forgive, we are letting go of the offence

Forgiveness frees you from carrying the weight of the offense.

The problem

We don’t want to forgive people.

People don’t deserve it

I need to hold this over them

What difference does it make?

Transition:This is so important because Everyone in this world at some point or another will have the opportunity fail you.

What we can’t do is choose to carry around the weight of the offense and expect to be made whole.

Transition:There is freedom in forgiving those who have wronged you.

ME

I struggled with forgiving my dad.

Because of the ripping apart of family I blamed him for most of the damage done.

Overtime my dad matured and became a really great example of a Godly Man. He even started preaching, I wouldn’t except that he has changed.

While all my other siblings were a lot younger than me or not in the family, yet I still remembered who my father was, all the mistakes he made and, in my eyes, he wasn’t worth of my forgiveness.

I held on to that weight for 20 years of the my, I would show up early to family gatherings because I knew he would go late so we would miss each other. I even changed his name to Oldman instead of dad it was my way of being disrespectful.

I still loved my dad, but I couldn’t forgive him for the bad decisions he mad when dealing with me.

I would not let him make up for his mistakes. He would text long apology letters, but I would never forgive because he hurt me, so he now deserves to carry around that guilt for the rest of his life to make up for it.

Until China

My Wife convinced me that it was time to start spending time with my parents more.

Because I had made the decision that I would try to forgive my dad. My heart was opened to receive from him.

I wanted to forgive my dad not just with words but with my heart.

Main Point: when we Forgive it frees you and others from carrying the weight of the offense.

GOD

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

This is why there is so much freedom in forgiving others because regardless of what others do .

YOU (how can we forgive others)

Pray for Those who have used you

Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,

Boss example

God will began to soften your heart with compassion

Ask the Holy Spirt for Help

God help soften my heart to forgive

How can I forgive someone who has scared me? You can’t by yourself.

We just take the first step

WE

If our generation could get this down, If we could set a culture of forgiveness in our

School

Homes

Church’s

Friend groups

King Diada and Minrunjo

The king starts off in the story as a brat

Whose best friend is this witch who is trapped in a mirror

Eventually he finds our that the witch has betrayed him

As his soul is locked away, he sees all the witches past pain

At the end of the story the king has the option to pass judgement on the witch

He Chooses to forgive her and protects her and make her his bride

And says she now will teach the younger generation the right way to go.

Jesus did the same thing

and because we have been forgiven we have to forgive others.

I don’t know what you’re going through tonight

I’m not sure how long you might have been holding on to this

But I do know God wants you to free yourself tonight.

Forgivness / Follow Christ/ Pray For Leaders /Prayer