Where is the harvest? Dis-Related

Harvest

won’t pick itself- hard work

Problem followed by obedience at work (Harvest) will lead us to blessing

Matthew 9:37–38 ESV

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Relationships:

parent, child, cousin, gparents, siblings, distant family, neighbors, co-workers, church family, other friends, ...

what do all of these relationships have in common

when they agree with us and praise us we get along well

Gideon/ marriage

when they think differently than us or their words or actions hurt us then we feel dis-related

Some of these relationships need a harvest — hard work that will lead to blessing

all that we see in them is a problem but God sees a blessing

we were made to be relational but we lack unity

sleeping in the same room, under the same roof, related by blood or marriage, go to church with every week,

maybe you used to be close but your not anymore

maybe you never really got to know them but they snuck into your life (or the reach of your life) and did a drive by hurt

AND YOU ARE ANGRY & HURT

Bill & Greg story

my hurt because they hurt people who I care about

I despise what man like Hitler did but because it didn’t affect me directly or anyone that I know of directly then the pain of the crime doesn’t keep my up at night or cling to my heart so tightly that I can’t let go as when someone that I know has been affected

Difficult topic of forgiveness

Matthew 6:14–15 ESV

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew

this is heavy because I really want and need for my sins to be forgiven

I’m actually desperate that they would be

I know that these people that I have troubles forgiving are sinful and wicked but without Christ in my life so am I

Jesus laid the example of forgiveness when He was on the cross...

Luke 23:32–34 ESV

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

I know that some have been abused, lied about, lied to, gossip has been spread, put down/ humiliated

HOLD GRUDGE for years

angry at someone who has passed away, self for allowing these things to happen, God because you don’t understand

HOW TO FORGIVE LIKE JESUS: Freedom?

Pray for those who hurt you

Matthew 5:43–44 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

shock to audience

eye for eye, tooth for tooth, car driving, talk badly about

We pray because the right attitudes proceed the right actions

prayer changes attitudes

others and us

it won’t always change them but it can always change you

I know what you are thinking

don’t feel like praying for them

we are not led by feelings

obedience:

pray for God to do something

end by praying for blessings

2. Forgive as you have been forgiven

Colossians 3:13 ESV

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

C

How can we

as the Lord has forgiven us

I have recieved a lot of forgiveness

Who’s family has that one nut… you know which one I am talking about raise your hand if you know that one person who will be at thanksgiving this year

cold shoulder, practice what you will tell them about their actions, stay up at night

BITTERNESS IS LIKE DRINKING POISON AND HOPING THAT THE OTHER PERSON WILL DIE

Forgiveness will not change your past but IT WILL change your future

set you free from the chains of bitterness

may lead them to Jesus

heaven not because they are good but b/c Jesus is

that’s the same way that you and I will get in

Nick come up

1 last thing before we close

Some are carrying their own sin

Jesus carried it for you to the cross

so that you could be saved

Romans 10:13 ESV

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Jesus said that

Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sins & make me new. I believe Jesus died for me so that I could live for You. Fill me with your Spirit so I can serve you for the rest of my life. Thank you for new life in Jesus’ Name I pray.

open altars for those seeking to forgive or for forgiveness