Lessons in Forgiveness - 2 Corinthians 2:1-11

Lessons in Forgiveness 2 Corinthians 2:1-11 February 6, 2022 Lessons in Forgiveness: 1. Forgiveness Displays God’s Mercy and Yours 2 Corinthians 2:1-4 Psalm 103:8-9 The Big Idea: We all struggle with broken relationships, people who hurt us, painful words, deceitful actions, friends who turn against us, and unkind words said about us or our loved ones. We live most days in need of someone’s forgiveness and someone else in need of ours. In Christ there is enough love, power, and grace for both. THE BACKSTORY: 2 Corinthians 2:1-11 (ESV) 2 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 5 2. Forgiveness Restores the Sinner 2 Corinthians 2:7-8 Luke 15:24 3. Forgiveness Demonstrates Obedience to the Lord 2 Corinthians 2:9 Matthew 18:21-22 4. Forgiveness Reflects the Character of Christ 2 Corinthians 2:10 Luke 23:34 Luke 23:43 5. Forgiveness Thwarts Satan’s Schemes 2 Corinthians 2:11 John 10:10 6. Forgiveness Sets Both of You Free Ephesians 4:32 Matthew 6:12, 14 To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. - C.S. Lewis