Sermon Tone Analysis

At Easter, we celebrate the forgiveness provided to us by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his subsequent resurrection.

Now we proclaim the message of reconciliation, beginning with forgiveness

2 Corinthians 5:14-19

2Cor 5:14-19 “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.

Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

How Jesus Forgave

Luke 23:33–34 (ESV): 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.

34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

How Stephen Forgave

Acts 7:54-60 “Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.

Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.

And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

What Forgiveness Is:

Intentionally foregoing a legal claim to restitution.

unilateral or multi-lateral

only weapon against which Satan has no defense!

freeing yourself from a burden you were never meant to carry

only the first step in reconciliation or restoration

The Dangers of Not Forgiving

Matt 6:15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Matt 18:35 “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.””

The sin of unforgiveness is a cancer that destroys relationships, eats away at one’s own psyche, and—worst of all—shuts us off from God’s grace.—Robertson

McQuilkin

Testimony: We confuse the issue of forgiveness when we claim it for ourselves and refuse it for others.

Our joy dies a death of suffocation when we refuse to obey Jesus by forgiving others.

What Forgiveness is Not

Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.—C.

S. Lewis

APPROVING OR DIMINISHING SIN

FORGIVENESS IS NOT ENABLING SIN

FORGIVENESS IS NOT DENYING A WRONGDOING

FORGIVENESS IS NOT WAITING FOR AN APOLOGY

FORGIVENESS IS NOT FORGETTING

Real forgiveness means looking steadily at the sin, the sin that is left over without any excuse, after all allowances have been made, and seeing it in all its horror, dirt, meanness and malice, and nevertheless being wholly reconciled to the man who has done it.—C.

S. Lewis

FORGIVENESS IS NOT A ONETIME EVENT

FORGIVENESS IS NOT NEGLECTING JUSTICE

FORGIVENESS IS NOT THE SAME AS TRUSTING