Message Notes:

Isaiah 1:18-19a (NLT) "Come now, let's settle this," says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me…

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas

 We have a wrong understanding of forgiveness.

• It’s not minimizing the seriousness of the offense.

• It’s not reconciliation.

• It’s not forgetting what happened.

 We don’t think it’s fair.

Matt 18:21-23,35 (NLT) Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven! Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn't pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt. "But the man fell down before his master and begged him, 'Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.' Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. "But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. "His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it,' he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn't wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full. "When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. "That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart."

 We don’t think we can do it.

Phil 4:13-14 (NLT) For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

1 Cor 1:25 (NLT) This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Forgiving God’s Way

1. Pray for them.

Matt 5:43-45 (NLT) You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

2. Bless them.

Luke 6:27-29 (NLT) But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

Rom 12:14 (NLT) Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.

3. Do good to them.

Rom 12:17-21 (NLT) Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 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. Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Eph 4:31-32 (NLT) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.



The forgiven forgive.

Response:

1. Who do you need to pray for this week?

2. How can I bless someone with my words, who has hurt me?

3. What “good” can I do this month to someone who has hurt me?