What is unforgiveness?  (Ephesians 4:22-32; Matthew 18:21-35)

I.    Unforgiveness occurs when we ________________ to forgive, or we feel we are ________________ to forgive (Matthew 18:28).            

A.  We get stuck in the loop of _______________ the offense over and over.

1.  As the event repeats in our minds, some details get ________________.

2.  Our remembrance of the event becomes ______________ in order to    justify our anger.

B.  Unforgiveness is a ________________ we ingest, hoping the other person will die.

C.  Unforgiveness is the work of the “________________” (Ephesians 4:22).

II.    Forgiveness is not only release from a debt or obligation (Matthew 18:27).  It is a ___________________ in which we no longer view the offender as our enemy but as a _______________________ for whom Christ has died (Matthew 18:33; Ephesians 4:32).

A.  Instead of judging and condemning, we freely ________________ the desire to be angry, bitter, full of rage, hateful, slanderous, and murderous (Ephesians 4:31).

B.  We _________________ the desire to recall another’s sin and use it against him.

C.  We offer the same love God has given us (Ephesian 4:32).

D.  Forgiveness is a divine act, the work of the “_________________” (i.e. Christ in you; Ephesians 4:23-24; Galatians 3:27).

The uniqueness of Jesus (Mark 1:21-28)

I.     Jesus is unlike anyone else.

A.  He is unlike the __________________ (v.22).

1.  They taught _______________ God.

2.  Jesus taught ____________ God (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28).

B.  He is unlike other great religious leaders.

1.  They point you to _______________________.

2.  Jesus points you to _______________________.

a.  His teaching is important but ___________________.

b.  His Person is ___________________ (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7; 10:11,14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1).

II.    The Good News is _______________________.

A.  Is Jesus a means to an end (John 6:26,35)?

B.  Is Jesus enough (John 14:8-9)?

C.  Jesus + nothing  >  ___________________ (Philippians 3:7-8). 

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ . . .

III.   Application: speaking with authority today.

A.  In the civil realm (John 19:10-11; Romans 13:1-7). 

B.  In the spiritual/eternal realm.

1.  In the Divine Service, we don’t just ___________________ Jesus, we ___________  Jesus to you (Matthew 9:8; John 20:23; 2 Corinthians 13:14; etc.).

2.  Privately (Matthew 18:15,21-22; James 5:16).

Sermon notes:

Knowing your place  (Mark 1:1-11)

I.     John knows his place.

A.  He is only a ___________________ (v.3; John 1:29).

B.  He proclaims not himself but ___________________ (vv.7-8).

II.    Vocatio:  more than an invitation.  It is ______________________________.

A.  Each of us has multiple callings:

1.  Husband/wife.

2.  Parent/Child.

3.  Employer/employee.

4.  Elected official/citizen.

5.  Teacher/student.

B.  We do not choose our vocations.  _________________ chooses us for them (Genesis 2:15; John 15:16; Acts 17:26-27).

C.  Even the most humble vocations are “__________________ of God” (Martin Luther).

D.. The purpose of your vocation is _____________________________ (v.4; Mark 10:45; Galatians 5:13).

III.   Jesus knows His place:  __________________________________ (v.9; Isaiah 53:12;        Matthew 27:38; Luke 15:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:15).

A.  The Father is pleased ___________________________ (v.11; John 8:29).

B.  The Father is pleased ___________________________ (vv.9-11; John 3:5; 6:29; 1 John 

Sermon notes:

“A sword will pierce your own soul” (Luke 2:22-40)

I.     Mary will suffer with her Son.

A.  ____________________ is no exemption from suffering (v.34).

1.  Neither is _________________ (v.39).

2.  Abraham, Moses, Paul, etc. (Luke 9:23).

B.  Mary is called not only to be Christ’s mother but also ___________________!

1.  Which relationship matters most to Jesus (Luke 8:21; 11:28)?  _________________.  

2.  The sword which pierces Mary’s soul will be her Son’s ______________.

II.    Parents suffer with their children.

A.  Our children will ________________ opposition when they stand with Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).

B.  Our children may ________________ the opposition to Christ.

1.  The stumbling stone of ___________________ (1 Corinthians 1:18,23).

2.  Families ________________ (Matthew 10:34-39).

3.  Whom do you love more:  _______________________ (v.35b; Genesis 22:12; Matthew 10:37)?

III.   Parents rejoice with their children.

A.  The stumbling stone becomes the ______________________ (v.34; Psalm 118:22).

B.  Those who wander He ____________________________ (Genesis 3:9; Luke 15:1-32).

C.  Those who stumble He _________________ (Matthew 28:10; Luke 24:36; John 21:15-19).