Becoming Whole Sermon Outline Week 6

Outline 3

Intro/Welcome

Proposition: Forgiveness is our greatest need and our greatest gift.

Why is forgiveness so important?

It is the heart of the Gospel.

Our freedom at Jesus’ expense.

Pray

Forgiveness (Matt 18:21-35)

Forgiveness absorbs a debt.

Debt b/c of Justice

Mercy is absorption.

Forgiveness from the heart longs for the other’s transformation

Forgiveness lets the sin be known (confesses the sin)

“Posture of forgiveness” , “ready to forgive”

Only God Forgives Sin

Jesus in Mark 2

True Forgiveness always goes through the cross

he absorbs the debt of your sin and sin against you.

Forgiveness is between 2 or more people

Outline 2 - Theology of Forgiveness

Only God can forgive sins, b/c sins are ultimately against him.

we are called to forgive as God has forgiven us.

to forgive in supernatural

“It is not I who forgive, but Christ who forgives through me”

Outlines

Welcome/Intro

Illustration of Forgiveness

Why we should forgive? — Witness to Gospel Power (Matt 18:21-22)

Why — God’s grace is sufficient

Forgive b/c we have been forgiven

What is forgiveness? (Matt 18:23-26)

graciously releasing someone from a debt owed

Why a debt?

Justice/injustice — creates a debt

Mercy is absorbing the debt.

God Absorbs our debt.

The Forgiven Forgive others (Matt 18:27-35)

We should forgive from the heart b/c God forgave us.

Why we don’t forgive?

We don’t realize/experience our forgiveness

b/c we don’t feel the weight of sin

We hold on to our anger b/c it feels powerful.

Forgiveness is a letting go, actually a transferring over.

How then shall we forgive?

Psalm 4:4-5, Romans 12:17-21 as a Model

True forgiveness always goes through the Cross

Others:

The Cost of Unforgiveness

What forgiveness is not

Do I forgive if they don’t repent?