Sermon On The Mount 7: How are we to Forgive

How Are We To Forgive? ()

The Old Testament was, “an eye for an eye.” Jesus taught that we should be forgiving. The Lord’s prayer teaches us to be forgiving. Unless we are forgiving, He will not forgive us

I. THE MEANING OF FORGIVENESS

A. The Old Testament law was to get even—v.

(We are not under the law, but under grace)

Jim Bishop writes this interesting story: “You don’t hear much about Robert De Vincenzo, the tough Argentine golfer, and he may not be the world’s greatest, but he is all man all the way. Not long ago, he surprised everybody by winning a tournament, and they gave him his check on the eighteenth green. He flashed a smile for the flash bulbs and walked alone to the clubhouse. In back, where his car was parked, a sad-eyed young lady walked up to him. “It’s a good day for you,” she said, “but I have a baby with an incurable disease. It’s of the blood, and the doctors say she will die.” De Vincenzo paused. In slow English, he said, “May I help your little girl?” The woman’s face froze. He took out a pen, endorsed his winning check, and pressed it into her hand. “Make some good days for the baby,” he said. He accepted all the congratulatory handshakes soberly and said nothing.

B. Turning the cheek—v.

“A week later, he was having lunch in a country club when a PGA official approached. “Some of the boys in the parking lot told me you met a young woman after you won the tournament,” he said. De Vincenzo nodded. “Well,” said the official, “I have news for you. She’s a phony. She has no sick baby. She’s not even married. She fleeced you, my friend.” The golfer looked up. “You mean that there is no baby who is dying without hope?” he said. The PGA official said, “Right.” De Vincenzo grinned. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all week,” he said.”

—Gospel Herald

Tan, P.L., 1996. Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times, Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.B. Turning the cheek—v. 39

B. Turn the other cheek - v.39

(This is the acid test of Christianity)

(This is the acid test of Christianity)

C. Do more than what is expected—vv.

(Give more than what is asked of you. Go the second mile)

If you follow Christ closely, you will be forgiving

II. THE METHOD OF FORGIVENESS

A. Giving—v.

(Give more than you receive)

B. The Old Testament was get even and hatred

The New Testament is love

1. Love your enemies

2. Bless them that curse you

3. Do good to them that curse you

King Henry VI of England had it said of him: “He never forgot anything but injuries.” Of Cranmer it was said: “If you want to get a favor from him, do him a wrong.” Emerson said of Lincoln: “His heart was as great as the world, but there was no room in it for the memory of a wrong.” Spurgeon gives this advice: “Cultivate forbearance till your heart yields a fine crop of it. Pray for a short memory as to unkindness.”

4. Pray for them that despitefully use and persecute you

4. Pray for them that despitefully use and persecute you

King Henry VI of England had it said of him: “He never forgot anything but injuries.” Of Cranmer it was said: “If you want to get a favour from him, do him a wrong.” Emerson said of Lincoln: “His heart was as great as the world, but there was no room in it for the memory of a wrong.” Spurgeon gives this advice: “Cultivate forbearance till your heart yields a fine crop of it. Pray for a short memory as to unkindness.”

The real test of Christianity—being good to those that are against you

III. THE MEEKNESS OF FORGIVENESS

A. Children of the Father—v.

(God our father. Brothers and sisters in the Lord)

B. Easy to love the lovely—v.

(Need God’s help to love the unlovely)

C. Easy to salute

(respect) your brother, but what does this prove? (Real meekness is when you love your enemies)

D. The secret of forgiveness—v.

(If you are striving to be Christlike, you will be forgiving)

Christ is the best example of forgiveness. Upon the cross He forgave those who were killing Him. No bitterness or grudge in his heart

Other illustrations - Corrie Ten Boom, Pay it Forward?, Hacksaw Ridge, Les Misarables

Pentz, C.M., 1968. 52 Simple Sermon Outlines, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.