You're Forgiven. So Forgive.

Big Idea:

Tension: How should Christians put on the love of Christ?

Resolution: By forgiving one another just as God in Christ forgave them.

Exegetical Idea: Christians put on the love of Christ by forgiving one another just as God in Christ forgave them.

Theological Idea: In order to walk in forgiveness, Christians forgive just as Christ forgave them.

Homiletical Idea: Just as Christ forgave, so we should forgive.

Big Idea: You’re forgiven. Forgive.

Outline

Introduction: Desmond Tutu/This week

The importance of forgiveness - It is impossible for us to have any kind of relationship with others apart from forgiveness.

For Unbelievers

For Masters of slaves/Employers

For slaves/employees

For children with parents

For parents with children

For husbands with wives

For wives with husbands

For Church Life

For our relationship with God - Matthew 6:14-15; Leviticus 19:17-18

Just as Christ forgave

(Our sins - The parable of the wicked servant) [Matt 18:21-35]

The Lord - Jesus is here called the covenant Lord. He has initiated reconciliation with us.

“Generosity” - Col 1:13-14, 2:13-14; 2 Corinthians 8:9

Beloved - You are those whom God loves.

Bottom line: you are forgiven.

Your past has been forgiven, your future has been forgiven

Your thoughts, your deeds, your actions forgiven

Your sins of omission, your sins of commission

So we should forgive

Bearing with One Another - (illustration me w/ Tim)

If one has a complaint against another

Forgiving one another - just as Christ has been lavish with us, so we should be lavish towards others

Putting on Christ