Grace Bible Church
Grace Bible Church

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Forgiveness Q & A

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Various Passages
Theme: Forgiveness Q & A

One: How do I deal with large offenses where forgiveness is never requested?

  • Leave it to God - Romans 12

Two: What if the offender is dead?

  • No one escapes the justice of God. Psalm 58:10-11

Three: What do I do with someone who takes advantage of my obligation to forgive?

  • Expect fruits in keeping with repentance; Luke 3:8

Four: Is God's forgiveness the same in the OT as it is in the NT?

  • Yes. Forgiveness is always granted on the basis of God's promise of the work of Christ.

Five: How should I respond when someone says, "I need to forgive myself"?

  • Steer the focus to understanding how God forgives us in Christ.

Conclusions:

  1. Be ready to forgive. Psalm 86:5
  2. Trust your God.
    a. To do good to you.
    b. To make all things right.
Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall, Forgiveness
In all the offenses we suffer, bitterness is avoidable

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Romans 12:14-21
Theme: In all the offenses we suffer, bitterness is avoidable

How to keep from being bitter toward...the repentant:

One: Keep your promise.

  • Forgiveness = I graciously promise to release from moral liablility the repentant offender for reconciliation.
  • The 3-fold promise.
    • I will not recall this offense to you.
    • I will not recall this offense to others.
    • I will not recall this offense to myself.

How to keep from being bitter toward...the UN-repentant:

Two: Don't seek revenge.

  • Do not repay eveil for evil.
  • Do not avenge yourself.
  • Do not be overcome by evil.

Three: Love your enemies.

  • Maintain honor.
  • Seek peace.
  • Be kind.

Four: Trust your God...

  • ...to care for you.
  • ...to judge your enemies.
Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall, Forgiveness
Justice is Essential to Understanding Forgiveness

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:19
Theme: Justice is Essential to Understanding Forgiveness

One: Justice reflects the character of God.

  • Our reflection of God's justice is marred by sin.
  • God's revelation of justice is revealed in Scripture.

Two: Justice demands more than the common appology.

  • Apologies wander through feelings.
  • Justice addresses the offense.
  • Forgiveness accomplishes reconciliation.

Three: Justice allows for continuing consequences.

  • Forgiveness does not necessarily remove consequences.
  • Consequences do not necessarily communicate continued displeasure.

Four: Justice reveals the sufficiency of Christ.

  • To reveal the true image of God's justice and mercy.
  • To address our offense and reconcile us to God.
  • To remove eternal consequences and give grace for present sorrow.
Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall, Forgiveness
You Must Forgive Others as God Forgave You

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Ephesians 4:32
Theme: You Must Forgive Others as God Forgave You.

One: The Word Meanings of Forgiveness

  • To release
  • To grace

Two: The Divine Example of Forgiveness

  • God graces us with the perfect righteousness of Christ
  • God graces us wiht the substitutionary death of Christ
  • God graces us with the everlasting life of Christ

Three: The Five Elements of Forgiveness

  1. God's forgiveness is marked by grace.
  2. God's forgiveness is marked by promise.
  3. God's forgiveness is marked by release.
  4. God's forgiveness is marked by condition.
  5. God's forgiveness is marked by reconciliation.

Four: The Working Definition of Forgiveness

  • God graciously1 promises2 to release from moral liability3 the repentent sinner4 for reconciliation5.

...forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. ~ Ephesians 4:32

Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall, Forgiveness
You must resist the invasive corruption of unforgiveness.

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Joseph
Text: Genesis 50
Theme: You must resist the invasive corruption of unforgiveness.

One: Unforgiveness indulges in the opportunity for angry revenge.

Two: Unforgiveness perpetuates distrust and fear.

Three: Unforgiveness userps the place of God as judge.

Four: Unforgiveness focuses excessive attention on the offense.

Five: Unforgiveness forgets the truth of God's sovereign benevolent purposes.

Six: Unforgiveness fails to repay evil with good.

Seven: Unforgiveness cripples faith in God's promises.

You ment evil against me, but God ment it for good. ~ Genisis 50:20

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Commit to using words that are true and edifying

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Joseph
Text: Genesis 47-49
Theme: Commit to using words that are true and edifying

One: Words of covenant faithfulness

Two: Words of wise warning

Three: Words of kingdom authority

Four: Words of sanctification progress

Five: Words of God's character

Six: Words of simple faith

Seven: Words of personal worship

The God of your fathers will help you...the Almighty will bless you ~ Genesis 49:25

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Be Assured of God's Faithfulness to You

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Joseph
Text: Genesis 46-47
Theme: Be Assured of God's Faithfulness to You

The Story: Jacob experiences God's faithfulness...

  • ...to reherse the covenant.
  • ...to preserve his family.
  • ...to reunite with Joseph.
  • ...to endure the famine.

Applications: Be assured of God's faithfulness to you...

  • ...through the promises of His Word.
  • ...through the evidence of covenant family.
  • ...through the glimpses of restoration.
  • ...through the kindness of unbelievers.
  • ...through the wisdom of stewardship.

Do not be afraid...I will go with you ~ Genesis 46:3-4

Sermonmicah pageAdam Godshall, Joseph