Offenses and Forgiveness
Introduction
We honour those who fight for us but we recognise that war is a gross evil
War is a terrible thing – many lose their lives, many are maimed or orphaned, many suffer terribly
Jesus says it is impossible that no offenses should come
There will also be evil
There will be division of relationships
Humanity is deeply flawed by sin
There will be wars and rumours of wars
Romans 1 – God’s wrath is poured out against the world
Jesus is speaking to His disciples
Take heed to your own lives
Make sure you do not give offense to others
Make sure you do not hurt or damage people
Woe to those who do
Luke 12 – Jesus warned the disciples to beware of false teachers
Now He is warning them about themselves
He is advising forgiveness and restoration
Keep asking for forgiveness (v8)
Overview:
Avoiding Offending
Rebuke Offenders
Forgiveness
Avoiding Offending
Offenses are towards other people but first and foremost towards God
Examples
We are to love God first and love another sincerely from the heart
Sin is a transgression of His laws and rebellion from the heart
Sin causes consequences
Do not offend the ‘little ones’
Could mean children
More likely to mean new believers and converts (Matt 18)
It is a terrible thing to lead someone astray and cause someone to sin
Examples
Do we encourage others to sin?
How do we avoid offending?
Matt 18 / Mark 9
Live in the fear of God
Be serious about your own sin
Titus 2:12
Sin leads to hell – for your own sake (and God’s honour) – do not live in sin
Take heed to ourselves
Jesus is giving an example of the importance of avoiding hell
Jesus loved sinners and called them to Himself
Jesus was earnest and serious
As Christians we know the transforming power of the Holy Spirit
Not to give way to the old nature
Put on Christ and put off the old man
Rebuke Offenders
Do not rebuke over minor issues but forgive
Love covers over a multitude of sins
We all fail
When there are major issues
Matt 5:23-24
Matt 18
Go to the offender alone – do not speak to others first
Go with the spirit of desiring change
Check there is no ‘beam’ in your own eye first
Do we do this?
We find it hard
We stay away from the person who has hurt us
We leave the situation
We are afraid
Often when we go there is reconciliation
Matt 18 – take two with you to hear the testimony
Matt 18 – if this fails, bring it to the whole church
Matt 18 – if they will not repent, treat them as though they need to be converted
We should not leave things
Forgiveness
Do you accept apologies?
Do you want more?
Do you want payback?
Seven sins in one day – surely this can’t be genuine forgiveness
Jesus says to accept it
How many times does God forgive us in one day?
He is such a gracious and merciful God
As God forgives us in Jesus Christ, ought we not to forgive others?
If God has forgiven all our sin, how can we not forgive others?
What does forgiveness mean?
It means it is over
It means not holding anything against them
It means you love them
It means not bring the situation up again
Saying ‘it is done with’ / ‘let’s move on’
God’s forgiveness
He does not remember our sin (by conscious decision)
The devil often seeks to stir things up – we must pray and ask God for help
It means a new start
It means building new trust
Not to churn up
Not to wish harm or vengeance
To pray for those who persecute us
We do not sweep things under the carpet but we have the attitude of Jesus Christ
Should we only forgive those who are repent? (v3-4)
If they repent – forgive them
Does God forgive unrepentant sinners?
No, they are still under the judgment of God
But Christ prayed for the unrepentant on the cross
Stephen prayed for his unrepentant persecutors as he was dying
We must pray for a forgiving heart
Reading the book ‘What is so amazing about grace?’
The authors contention is that grace is needed for healing the ‘ungrace’ in world
Only in forgiveness and repentance
Grace is about showing love and mercy to others
Closing Remarks