People's Church

God Can’t – God Can’t Lie

Colossians 1:16–17 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. (NLT)

Malachi 3:6 I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. (NLT)

Psalm 102:27 But you are always the same; you will live forever. (NLT)

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)

James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. (NLT)

Titus 1:2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. (NLT)

Hebrews 6:18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (NLT)

4 Reasons Why Some People Believe God Lies

1. God lies because the Bible isn’t true

2. God lies because humans lie

Numbers 23:19 God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (NIV)

3. God lies because their experience doesn’t lineup with what they think God should do

4. God lies because the devil is a liar

Genesis 3:1–5 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (NIV)

John 14:6 “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.” (NIV)

3 Things You Can Trust About God

1. You Can Trust God’s Promises

2 Corinthians 1:18-20 “But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (NIV)

2. You Can Trust God’s Character

1. God is love

1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (NIV)

2. God is compassionate and gracious

Exodus 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, (NIV)

3. God is just

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! (NIV)

4. God is good

Psalm 25:8 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. (NLT)

Psalm 118:1 “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His faithful love endures forever.” (NIV)

3. You Can Trust God’s Motives

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

1 Timothy 2:3-4 “This is good and pleases God our Savior who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of truth.” (NIV)

Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

*Production Team Note: The two numbers below should each be a separate slide

5093

1 x 5093

3 Values to Remember 

Every number has a name.

Every name has a story.

Every story matters to God. 

3 Life Applications from Luke 15 

1. All are equally loved but the lost are the priority. 

2. You are never lost in the audience of humanity.

3. God reserves Heaven’s loudest noise when one is receives the Gospel. 

Let’s be heavens party starters!!

Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

*Production Team Note: The two numbers below should each be a separate slide

5093

1 x 5093

3 Values to Remember 

Every number has a name.

Every name has a story.

Every story matters to God. 

3 Life Applications from Luke 15 

1. All are equally loved but the lost are the priority. 

2. You are never lost in the audience of humanity.

3. God reserves Heaven’s loudest noise when one is receives the Gospel. 

Let’s be heavens party starters!!

Getting Over It – How Do I Forgive Others?

Matthew 18:21–22  Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)

3 Reasons Why We Should Forgive

1. Because God has forgiven me 


Matthew 18:33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ (NIV)

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you.” (NIV)

Luke 7:47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” (NLT)


2. Resentment makes me miserable


Matthew 18:33-34 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. (NIV)

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (NIV)

Bitterness imprisons life: Love releases it.

Bitterness paralyzes life: Love empowers it.

Bitterness sours life: Love sweetens it

Bitterness sickens life: Love heals it.

Bitterness blinds life: Love opens its eyes

3. I’m going to need forgiveness again


Matthew 18:35 “This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (NIV)

Matthew 6:14–15  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (NIV)

1. Release the person entirely

A. Determine what they owe you

B. Cancel their debt

2. Recognize God’s purpose in the process

Genesis 50:19–20 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (NIV)

3. Reestablish as much as possible

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (NIV)

4. Repeat the process

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)

Getting Over It – How Do I Forgive Others?

Matthew 18:21–22  Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)

3 Reasons Why We Should Forgive

1. Because God has forgiven me 


Matthew 18:33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ (NIV)

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you.” (NIV)

Luke 7:47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” (NLT)


2. Resentment makes me miserable


Matthew 18:33-34 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. (NIV)

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (NIV)

Bitterness imprisons life: Love releases it.

Bitterness paralyzes life: Love empowers it.

Bitterness sours life: Love sweetens it

Bitterness sickens life: Love heals it.

Bitterness blinds life: Love opens its eyes

3. I’m going to need forgiveness again


Matthew 18:35 “This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (NIV)

Matthew 6:14–15  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (NIV)

1. Release the person entirely

A. Determine what they owe you

B. Cancel their debt

2. Recognize God’s purpose in the process

Genesis 50:19–20 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (NIV)

3. Reestablish as much as possible

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (NIV)

4. Repeat the process

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)

Matthew 18:21–22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.  (NIV)

11 Forgiveness Myth Busters

1. Forgiveness is a feeling

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (NIV)

2. Forgiveness means you will no longer feel the pain of their offense

3. Forgiveness means forgetting

4. Forgiveness means pretending it didn’t happen

5. Forgiveness is a one-time, climactic event

6. Forgiveness is a sign of weakness

Matthew 26:53–54 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way? (NIV)

7. Forgiveness means condoning or excusing a wrong

8. Forgiveness is the same as reconciling

Matthew 3:8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. (NLT)

9. Forgiveness is conditional

10. Forgiveness means you always have to tell the person they are forgiven

Romans 12:18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (NLT)

11. Forgiveness includes justice

Romans 12:19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. (NLT)

Matthew 18:21–22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.  (NIV)

11 Forgiveness Myth Busters

1. Forgiveness is a feeling

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (NIV)

2. Forgiveness means you will no longer feel the pain of their offense

3. Forgiveness means forgetting

4. Forgiveness means pretending it didn’t happen

5. Forgiveness is a one-time, climactic event

6. Forgiveness is a sign of weakness

Matthew 26:53–54 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way? (NIV)

7. Forgiveness means condoning or excusing a wrong

8. Forgiveness is the same as reconciling

Matthew 3:8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. (NLT)

9. Forgiveness is conditional

10. Forgiveness means you always have to tell the person they are forgiven

Romans 12:18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (NLT)

11. Forgiveness includes justice

Romans 12:19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. (NLT)

How Do I Forgive Myself?

Matthew 26:75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.  (NLT)

1. Disconnects you from God

2. Depresses you

3. Dominates your mind

4. Destroys your progress

3 Requirements to Forgive Yourself

1. Forgiving yourself begins with understanding how God has forgiven you

Mark 16:5-7 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,[b] who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” (NLT)

4 Characteristics of God’s Forgiveness

1. Forgives instantly

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

2. Forgives completely

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

3. Forgives repeatedly

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

4. Forgives freely

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV)

2. Leave your baggage with Jesus

John 21:7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. (NIV)

1 Peter 2:24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin
 and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. (NLT)

3. Move forward to what God has next

How Do I Forgive Myself?

Matthew 26:75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.  (NLT)

1. Disconnects you from God

2. Depresses you

3. Dominates your mind

4. Destroys your progress

3 Requirements to Forgive Yourself

1. Forgiving yourself begins with understanding how God has forgiven you

Mark 16:5-7 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,[b] who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” (NLT)

4 Characteristics of God’s Forgiveness

1. Forgives instantly

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

2. Forgives completely

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

3. Forgives repeatedly

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

4. Forgives freely

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV)

2. Leave your baggage with Jesus

John 21:7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. (NIV)

1 Peter 2:24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin
 and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. (NLT)

3. Move forward to what God has next

People's Church of OKC is a multi-cultural church designed with you in mind. Senior Pastor, Herbert Cooper.