Download Young Life Campaigners - Mountaineer Area Young Life

Young Life Campaigners
9-29-05
III. Apply Biblical Forgiveness to Your Life
FORGIVE TO BE FORGIVEN

1. Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever
grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord
forgave you.
Has anyone ever held a grudge against you? Have you ever held a
grudge? Is like of forgiveness a problem in high school?
2. HOW DO WE STACK UP?
DEFINITIONS TO CONSIDER:
a. Grudges -- How long have you held a grudge? Why?
What is forgiveness?
Webster: pardon; official remission of a penalty; absolution (absolve: to
release or set free; clear of crime or guilt)
b. What are you waiting for? How long have you asked forgiveness
of someone , but you weren’t forgiven? How did that feel? How did
you respond?
What is guilt?
Webster: the state of one who is liable to a penalty; sin; criminality
c. Our reasoning (they don’t deserve it…) SHATTERED -- How
does it make you feel to know that God has forgiven you even
though you don’t deserve it? (Romans: “all have sinned and fallen
short of the glory of God . . . the wages of sin is death”)
What is mercy?
Webster: the disposition to forgive, spare or pity; clemency; forbearance
(patience; indulgence; self-command); compassion (sorrow for the
sufferings of others; sympathy; pity); beneficence (active goodness)
3.
I. Matthew 18: 21-35: Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
1.
Who is who in this parable?
2.
What did you think of the original servant when he first begged
for forgiveness? What about after he had his fellow servant
thrown in jail?

4.
4.
What does this parable show about God’s willingness to forgive?
Are there any strings attached?
5.
5.
Matthew 6: 14-15 – Are you surprised by this? Is this
inconsistent with “unconditional love?”
6.
Bottom line: God forgives _______ in the ___________ ________
we forgive others.
I 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.”
2.
This is a great ___________________!
3.
We must ____________________ and __________________ that
we are forgiven, allowing Christ to free us from guilt – and
therefore enabling us to forgive others.
“If you choose to withhold forgiveness from someone, your
worship and prayers are ________________.” -- Blackaby
Exodus 34:6-7 -- God’s _______________ is forgiveness
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS…
 If you mess up, how do you ask your friends/family forgiveness?

If you mess up, how (or do you??) ask forgiveness from God? Why
is this different?

If you sincerely ask for someone’s forgiveness, what different ways
might they respond?

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF FORGIVENESS IN A RELATIONSHIP?
II. The “If-Then” of Forgiving
1.
In other words, _____________ ______________ _____
_______________ ______________________!!
Test yourself. Jesus spoke in parables to make God’s message
understandable. Rewrite the parable so it is something that would
test your ability to forgive.
3.
Matthew 5:23-24 -- If you enter your place of worship and,
about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a
friend has against you, 24abandon your offering, leave
immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and
only then, come back and work things out with God.
 Forgiveness happens so you can move on in a relationship,
not so you can end one.
PERSONAL APPLICATION: How many of you have some work to
do with someone? With God?
Us…same way
promise
Understand and accept
Take care of your business
Futile
nature