Lord Teach us to Pray 4

I. Introduction

A. Do we have a culture of prayer? If our behavior of prayer is not matching our beliefs do we really believe in prayer? Today we will talk about praying for forgiveness.

In our prayer lab last Wednesday night something came out. We pray for bread and it makes us generous. Same is true today, we pray for forgiveness so we can forgive. Our prayers shape us.

B. If I had to pick one factor that leads to life, freedom, and power in our christian walk it would be forgiveness. Receiving and giving forgiveness is our core experience in a fallen world.

C. Forgiveness - to leave, abandon or forgive. It is the supernatural agent that separates us from sin and darkness. Forgiveness not only draws you to God it creates a separation between you and sin. It both closes a gap and creates one.

D. Forgiveness is what we are known for as disciples of Christ. We are a group of forgiven folk who forgive others. And yet it is something so supernatural that we have to pray for it.

II. Praying for Forgiveness

A. Forgiven

Understand the Debt - What do we owe because of sin? An account must be given for the injustice, pain, division, and heartache we have brought into the world through our sin.

Adam and Eve watched the degradation of society almost up to the time of the flood before they died. There was a debt to be paid for all that injustice. They saw the multiplication of their sin, what about ours?

When we look at the moral state of society, the pain and injustice, do we know we played a part in that? With every sin we let more and more darkness in to the world.

There is an amazing moment on the cross.

John 19:30 “Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

“It is finished” is “tetelestai” which means totally paid in full. No more justice payment required.

Receive the payment - The crucifixion was justice enough and the blood shed was thick enough to pay our debt.

If Christ paid the price to forgive you through the cross, don’t make a mockery of that act. Forgive yourself.

B. Forgiving

Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV) “14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Forgiveness is to be received and shared or we are not disciples of Christ. When you are forgiven you can’t help but forgive others, otherwise I would question if you have really received forgiveness.

Matthew 18:21-35 - Read

If we have truly received forgiveness from our sins and know that in our heart, forgiving others will happen. If we just did a religious formula of salvation, not so much. The servant in the story just received a transaction to get out of consequences instead of truly receiving forgiveness. What happened at your salvation?

Was it a transaction from a stranger to get you off, or was it a friend dying to forgive you?

This word for forgiveness can also be translated divorce. Some of us are married to the sin and darkness done to us. When we receive forgiveness it separates us from the darkness of our sin, we we forgive others it separates us from the darkness done to us. For some it’s time for a divorce.

III. Conclusion and Invitation

A. 1) Have you received the gift of forgiveness of sins? Do you know you’re forgiven and the fruit is your forgiveness of others. If not come and receive forgiveness of sins and be baptized. 2) And if some of you are ready to leave the darkness done to you, go to the prayer team and proclaim forgiveness to the one who hurt you It’s time for a divorce from the darkness done to you.

B. Matthew 6:9–13 (NIV) “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from the evil one.’”