P.U.R.P.O.S.E. (Week 3) – Restoration: The Freedom of Forgiveness

by | Sep 20, 2020 | Sermons

09/20/2020 – Sunday Morning Service

Ephesians 4:31-32

Sermon Topics

– There are two problems that do great psychological, emotional, and spiritual damage to anyone and perhaps you! One is GUILT and the other is BITTERNESS.
– When you truly forgive another, truly from your heart, you set TWO prisoners free. One of them is YOU.

  1. The Compelling Reasons for Forgiveness
    • The Grace Factor (Eph. 4:32)
      • “I have made up my mind that I am not going to fall out with somebody until they’ve treated me worse than Jesus.”
    • The Guilt Factor (Matt. 6:14-15)
      • The only person who cannot forgive is the person who will not need forgiveness.
      • An unforgiving spirit is not merely you missing a blessing; it is a wicked, vile, and gross sin.
    • The Grief Factor (Heb. 12:15)
      • You forgive for their sake, you forgive for Jesus’ sake, and you forgive for your sake.
    • The Gain Factor (Matt. 5:24)
      • The Effects of Unforgiveness
        1. It Disgraces Almighty God
        2. It Discourages the Saints
        3. It Drives Away the Lost
        4. It Delights the Devil
  2. The Costly Requirements for Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32)
    • Friend, you will have to experience a little Gethsemane and Calvary if you are going to forgive someone who has hurt you!
    • If we are to forgive like Jesus, how are we to do it?
      1. Forgive Freely (Matt. 18:15; 21-22)
      2. Forgive Fully
        • So many want to apologize for what we are doing, but what we are doing is defending ourselves.
      3. Forgive Finally (Isa. 43:25)
      4. Forgive Forcefully
        • To Err is Human; to Forgive is Divine.
        • I want you to think about how Jesus Christ has forgiven us, and it is the power of Jesus Christ who forgave us that enables us to forgive somebody else.
        • Don’t you DARE insult the Grace of God by saying, “I cannot forgive.”
        • I want you to think about the Results of Forgiveness
          1. Personal Emancipation
          2. Reconciliation
          3. Spiritual Jubilation
        • Do you know what Revival is? Revival is not just getting the roof off and getting right with God. Revival is tearing the walls down and getting right with one another.
        • Don’t continue in the Prison house of Guilt, swallowing the poison of bitterness.