Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: Forgiveness

Joseph Prince - Forgiveness Explained ( A Heaven To Gain And A Hell To Shun).

Charles Stanley (March-22-2024) Daily Devotional: Confession and Forgiveness

Confessing sin is important—not to keep our salvation but to maintain intimacy with our heavenly Father.

1 John 1:5-10 - This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

Many Christians find it troubling that they repeatedly deal with certain sins. And they rightly turn to 1 John 1:9 for assurance: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” They’re relieved to know God forgives our sins, and they promise to do better. But some people have misunderstood this verse—they believe our salvation is tied to continual confession. 

There’s a big difference between relationship (the unbreakable Father-child bond) and fellowship (our line of communication). Certainly confession plays a vital role in maintaining intimate communication with the Father, but the believer’s standing as His child cannot change. Fellowship with God is interrupted by sin (Psalm 66:18 - If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear) but restored when we confess and repent. Then we are freed from the emotional bondage of guilt and shame. 

As we mature in our faith, the inclination to sin will decrease. But as long as our earthly life continues, we won’t be fully free of fleshly tendencies. Romans 8:1 (Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus) offers this additional reassurance: “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” So, while our sin may have temporal consequences, we can be certain God has fully pardoned us. 

Jentezen Franklin (March 12, 2024) Daily Devotional: The Mathematics Of Forgiveness.

“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him,’ I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” Matthew 18:21-22

Jesus’ response to Peter’s question is truly astonishing. Peter may have been ready to write somebody off and be done with them, so he was trying to define forgiveness with a numerical value. We tend to keep mathematical accounts when people hurt us. You may remember that four years ago, at 3:00 in the afternoon, someone said something that hurt you. You may add up words and actions that hurt you and hold on to them for years. Most hurts in life will come from those closest to you whom you’ve loved the most. Maybe you are wondering the same question as Peter, “How many times do I have to forgive a person even if they continue to do me wrong?”

What if someone did the unthinkable? What if you were cheated on or abused? What about the people who keep making the same mistakes over and over, like a drug addict who keeps promising to quit and doesn’t? Peter thought seven times was pretty generous. But Jesus absolutely blew their minds when He said, “No, not seven times. Seventy times seven.” That is 490. Jesus wasn’t giving an exact number; He was giving us a new math formula. He was saying you can never stop forgiving others, regardless of how deeply and how often they’ve hurt you. This doesn’t mean you have to keep every person in your life, but you do have to forgive them with your whole heart.

Jesus set the standard by loving those who lied about Him and by praying for those who persecuted Him. Ephesians 3:17-18 says, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…” As you begin to grasp how much Jesus loves you, your heart will start to line up with His, and living by His formula of forgiveness will become easier and easier

Jentezen Franklin (March 11, 2024) Daily Devotional: The Power Of Forgiveness.

“Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

In the story of Bathsheba, she had a grandfather by the name of Ahithophel. Ahithophel was a trusted advisor of King David. But one day, he witnessed David abuse his granddaughter Bathsheba and destroy their family by having her husband killed, and he never got over it. In 2 Samuel 15, the Bible says that when Absalom led a rebellion against David, that it was this man, the grandfather of Bathsheba, who sided quickly with Absalom. It was even Ahithophel’s idea that Absalom abuse David’s concubines up on the rooftop in front of all of Israel. He was out for revenge. After 25 years, he still had a root of bitterness over what David had done. Later, Ahithophel ended up committing suicide. 

When you don’t get over something, and you let it take hold of you, you commit spiritual suicide. When you carry bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness against someone, then it’s only a matter of time before it spiritually affects your life.

Have you ever heard of Barsabbas? Barsabbas was in the running to replace Judas. It came down to him or Matthias, and he lost the election. Barsabbas didn’t get the job. It would have been a high honor to have been listed among the twelve disciples with his name written in the holy city. So what was his reaction? He could have gotten mad and decided to start his own church. He could have thought, “this man isn’t better than me!” But Barsabbas kept a good spirit. He got over it. It was disappointing, and he wished it would have been him who was picked but he didn’t get angry. Later in the book of Acts, when they were choosing someone who would go to Antioch for the Gentiles to be reached, they said, “Get Barsabbas.” When you keep the right spirit, even when things don’t go your way, your gift will make room for you.

When you choose to get over it and get on with it, God notices. He is pleased when you make loving others your paramount concern. When you choose to forgive, you are putting your love for your brothers and sisters over your own rights and pain. You are being like Jesus. He knew this is the secret to unleashing the greatest power the world has ever known

TD Jakes - Sermon: Finding Freedom The Faith to Forgive - Part-2 

Joseph Prince  Jesus' Blood Cries Forgiveness, Righteousness And Peace For Us! When you come before the Lord, only one offering is wholly acceptable—and it is not the perfection of your own works! Join Joseph Prince in this eye-opening message as he reveals, through the story of Cain and Abel, how it is the blood sacrifice of Jesus alone that pleases and is acceptable to God. You'll be blessed as you discover how Jesus' blood speaks total forgiveness, righteousness, favor, healing and peace for you! This faith-building word will put boldness in your heart to expect answered prayers and to enjoy an exciting, intimate walk with the Lord!

Jentezen Franklin (March-05-2024) Daily Devotional: A prayer of forgiveness.

“Forgiving one another, just as God…has forgiven you.” Eph 4:32 NLT

The Bible says: “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” (vv. 31-32 NLT). Are you struggling to forgive someone? Here is a prayer: “Lord, I praise you for forgiving me and washing my sins away. Reveal anything I need to confess to you today so that I can bring it before you and be cleansed and set free, especially any place in my heart where I have not forgiven someone. I know how subtly resentment and bitterness can build up and hinder my prayers.

I recognize that my lack of forgiveness toward others can keep me from experiencing your forgiveness (See Mk 11:25). To say that I need your help to forgive others the way you have always been forgiving toward me is a huge understatement. You forgave the unforgivable on the cross. I acknowledge that I am incapable of forgiving on my own. Remind me that I cannot make my forgiveness conditional upon whether people deserve it or not, and that the focus of my heart must remain on becoming more like you. Give me grace to forgive, and not hold forgiveness back until the other person says or does what I think they should. Take away anything of anger, bitterness, or resentment in my heart. Pour out your Spirit upon me and cleanse me of all that’s not of you. Enable me to walk in the forgiveness you have given me and to extend it to others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Daily Devotional (February-27-2024) How Do You Forgive?

“What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.” - 2 Corinthians 5:19 (CEV)

In January 1956, five American missionaries headed to the rainforest of the eastern Amazon in Ecuador. They were making a second visit to the Huaorani tribe, which anthropologists said was the most vicious, violent society on the face of the Earth. They had a culture of killing, and studies showed 60 percent of the tribe died by homicide. 

As soon as the missionaries got out of the plane, they were speared to death by members of the tribe. The brutal murders made news around the world and were on the covers of Life magazine, Time, and Newsweek. Many newspapers reported the deaths of these men, who included Nate Saint and Jim Elliot.

A couple years later, Elisabeth and Valerie Elliot, wife and daughter of Jim, and Rachel Saint, sister of Nate, moved into the Huaorani village to show love and forgiveness and minister to the people who had killed their families. Eventually, Mincaye, who was the leader of the tribe, and other men who participated in the missionary murders became Christians.

The kind of forgiveness Elisabeth Elliot, Valerie Elliot, and Rachel Saint modeled doesn’t make sense until you have been forgiven by God. So, once you’ve experienced God’s forgiveness, how do you forgive? You do the four things these women did:

Relinquish your right to get even. Romans 12:19 says, “Don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge” (CEV). Leave it up to God. He’ll take care of it, and he’ll do a much better job than you ever could.

Respond to evil with good. How can you tell when you’ve completely forgiven someone? You can actually pray for God to bless the person who hurt you. The Bible says. “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28 NIV).

Repeat these steps as long as necessary. Peter asked Jesus in Matthew 18:21, “How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?” (CEV). Jesus replied, “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!” (Matthew 18:22 CEV). Sometimes forgiveness has to be continual.

Rescue others with the Good News of God’s forgiveness. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, “God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God.”

Because you’ve been forgiven by God, he expects you to forgive other people. He will help you work through your hurt and give you the grace to forgive those who’ve hurt you

Talk It Over

  • What do you learn from how Elisabeth and Valerie Elliot and Rachel Saint responded to the murders of their family members?
  • Have you been in a situation where you’ve had to forgive someone “not just seven times, but seventy-seven times,” as Matthew 18 says? What gave you the strength to do so?
  • Who in your life needs to hear God’s message of forgiveness, peace, and salvation?

Joyce Meyer (February 23, 2024) Daily Devotional: Enjoy Forgiveness.

If we aren’t living the way God has instructed us to live, we will be miserable until we confess our sins. Once we thoroughly get everything out in the open before the Lord, He gives us the power to be set free from our sins: BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered (Psalm 32:1 AMPC).

The Word says that God desires truth in our inner being (See Psalm 51:6). So, we need to be honest with ourselves and with God, if we want to enjoy the blessing of God’s forgiveness. Ask God to show you what needs to be changed in your life and trust His forgiving power to continually bring about those changes in you.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, thank You for forgiving me and for the freedom I enjoy because of that forgiveness. Help me walk in Your truth and enjoy every day of my life, amen.

Joseph Prince (February-23-2024) Daily Devotional: The Waterfall of Forgiveness

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. - 1 John 1:7

Let me tell you a story about a little boy who used to play in the woods just a short distance away from the dilapidated hut that he lived in. His parents were too poor to buy him any toys, so he had to make do with whatever he could find.

One day, he chanced upon a stone that was unlike any he had ever seen. The polished surface of the stone glistened in his hands and winked at him each time he turned it around in the sunlight. It was his very own treasure and he loved it.

The boy did not dare to bring it back to his home as there was nowhere in the hut he could hide it. He decided to dig a deep hole under some bushes and hide his precious possession there.

The next day, the boy couldn’t wait to retrieve his stone and ran to its hiding place as soon as the sun arose. But when his fingers finally found the stone in its muddy hideaway, it was all mud-caked and dull, without any of the luster that he loved so much.

The boy took the stone to the stream and carefully dipped it in, allowing the dirt to be washed away. Finally, it was clean again and the boy’s heart swelled with pride at his treasured find. But all too soon, the time came for the boy to head home and he had to return the stone to its hiding place.

Every day, the boy would rush to the spot where he had hidden the stone. And every day, he would find its shiny surface smeared with mud and he would trek to the river some distance away to wash it.

This happened for a while before he decided to solve the problem permanently. That day, when it was almost time for him to head home, the little boy took his stone to a small waterfall and wedged it carefully between two rocks, right in the middle of the steady flow of the waterfall.

That night, the stone experienced a continual washing. And that little boy never had to wash the stone again. Every time he retrieved it, it gleamed in his hands, completely cleansed.

Beloved, when you were born again, you became a living stone whom God placed right under the waterfall of His Son’s blood. And today’s scripture shows us the effect of that continual cleansing of Jesus’ blood—it keeps us walking in the realm of light that His death has translated us into.

If you were to dig deeper into the rich treasures of God’s Word, you will find that in the Greek, the tense for the word cleanse in 1 John 1:7 denotes a present and continuous action, which means that from the moment you receive Christ, the blood of Jesus keeps on cleansing you.

This is why believers who have been translated from darkness by Jesus’ death are kept walking in the light even when they miss it and fail. As a believer, you are truly under a perpetual waterfall of His blood that keeps on cleansing you from all your sins.

You know that negative thought that you had a few minutes ago? Well, that has been cleansed too! Every thought that is not right, every action that is not correct, is washed away! You are always kept clean and forgiven and always walking in His light because of the continuous cleansing of Jesus’ blood!

Beloved, believing that you need to confess your sins all the time to be right with God will only make you more sin-conscious. But knowing that you are constantly under Jesus’ waterfall of His cleansing blood will keep you forgiveness-conscious. And knowing that you are forgiven of all your sins will give you the power to reign over every destructive habit and live a life of victory!

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