Home: Forgiveness Colossians 3:12-14

Review: We start ADVENT next week! We are ending a series on family today! Holidays are often heartbreaking more than heartwarming.

INTRO> Being the youth pastor at South Side. The youth van. Getting ready to go to MYF. Fuel Pump, no fuel, everybody in at a stand still.

APP> That’s exactly like what we are talking about today. A lot of families are at a stand still, bags packed, a lot of great intentions to move forward but they can’t. Why? because there is a crucial element that is missing.

Big Idea > Forgiveness is the fuel that keeps a family moving forward.

APP> When it comes to forgiveness and being a Christian that’s literally what this thing is all about. The word is mentioned 146x in the NT

• • • Jesus teaches us to pray.. “Forgive us as we forgive others..”
    • Jesus last meal with his disciples, “And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28
    • Jesus last words: “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.” Luke 23:34

APP> This is going to be tough but we have to go there. Before we get to our passage today I’ve got to do some work. Check out our series on Philemon on the website. Through the years of pastoring and dealing with real life situations and seeing how the scriptures prove true time and time again. If there is anything that I have learned its this, unforgiveness is unhealthy.

The Unwellness of Un-Forgiveness:

• • • Physiological unwellness
    • Physical unwellness
    • Emotional unwellness
    • Relational unwellness
    • Spiritual unwellness “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, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” 2 Corinthians 2:10-11

CONTEXT> Needless to say, this is a big deal. In out passage today, the Apostle Paul is writing to a church family, reminding them of WHO THEY WERE and now of WHO THEY ARE. Here in this passage and in Ephesians he says almost the exact same thing, we tells me it’s something every Christian needs to know. APP> 1) The Mandate to forgive 2) The Motivation to forgive.

1. The mandate to forgive.

• • • • “so you also must forgive..” the way that Paul writes this makes it an imperative, which means it’s a command.
      • “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

APP> Translation, Forgiveness isn’t optional when following Jesus.

APP> I think it’s helpful for us to clarify a bit more what we are commanded to do by clarifying what forgiveness isn’t.

6 Things Forgiveness is not:

• • • • Forgiving is not forgetting.
      • Forgiving is not immediately trusting.
      • Forgiving is not foregoing consequences.
      • Forgiving is not a one time thing.
      • Forgiving is not waiting on an apology.
      • Forgiving is not always reconciliation.

3 Degrees of Forgiveness: (*RT Kendall, Total Forgiveness)

1. 1. 1. Detached forgiveness– a reduction in hurt but zero reconciliation.
      2. Limited forgiveness – a reduction in hurt and a partial restoration in the relationship.
      3. Total forgiveness- a total reduction in hurt and restoration in relationship. *This is what I believe the Bible exhorts us to do as Christians.

APP> So what is forgiveness? Well, I think we need to let the Bible define that. “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14

APP> Forgiveness is the choice to cancel the debt fully, freely and forever.

“…we all agree that forgiveness is beautiful idea until we have to practice it.” – C.S. Lewis

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

APP> What depends on you?

2) The motivation to forgive.

• • • • “as the Lord has forgiven you…” This is where the rubber meets the road.. The scripture never tells you to do something without out telling you what God has already done for you.

APP> You can’t offer what you don’t have. APP> Do you know the peace of God? Do you know the Grace of God? Do you know the beauty of Jesus Christ? Do you know the Joy of the Lord?

APP> Forgiving people are forgiven people.

**On May 17th, 1885 Charles Hades Spurgeon said these words from this text to his congregation, “To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison with it; but yet there is on thing sweeter still, and that is to forgive. As it is more blessed to give them to receive, so to forgive, rises a stage higher in experience than to be forgiven. To be forgiven is, at it were the root, to forgive is the beautiful flower itself.” Spurgeon, Volume 31, pg287-288

Big Idea > Forgiveness is the fuel that keeps a family moving forward.

*Nails

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14