Grace Upon Grace
Offering Grace to Others
Ephesians 4:32
“bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13, ESV)
In the same way we have been offered grace and forgiveness by God, God desires that we offer grace and forgiveness to others.
What Forgiveness Is Not
1. It is not ___________________________
2. It is not ____________ the seriousness of the offense.
3. It is not ___________ a relationship without changes.
Restoring A Relationship Requires Forgiveness Plus:
• _______________ - A change of mind leading to a change of direction
• _______________ - Where and when possible
• _______________ Trust – This takes time!
4. It is not ________________ what happened.
5. It is not __________________ when I wasn't the one who was hurt.
What Is Genuine Forgiveness?
“Forgiveness is a vertical commitment that is followed by a horizontal transaction.” Paul Tripp
1. _______________ How Much I Have Been Forgiven
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)
2. _______________ My Right to Get Even
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:18–19, ESV)
3. _______________ to Evil with Good
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21, ESV) “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27–28, ESV)
4. _________________ with the Goal of Reconciliation
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” (Matthew 18:15, ESV)
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:3–4, ESV)
5. _______________ the Process As Long As Necessary “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21–22, ESV)
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” (Hebrews 12:14–15, ESV)
Three Aspects Of Forgiveness
1. _______________: Embracing divine forgiveness
2. _______________: Granting inward forgiveness “Attitudinal Forgiveness”
3. _______________: Forging a reconciled relationship “Transactional Forgiveness”
Moving Forward With Forgiveness
• Acknowledge the debt and the hurt
• Grieve it
• Release it to God
• Process the pain
• Move forward appropriately
• Recognize that it is a journey that may require time and outside resources
Two Inner Resources The Gospel Gives To Us To Enable Us To Forgive One Another
1. Realistic _______________ about our own sin
2. Joyful ___________ of our own acceptance in Christ
Making It Personal:
• Have I personally received God’s forgiveness by repenting of my sin and placing my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the forgiver of my sin and the rightful leader and Lord of my life?
• What misconceptions about forgiveness have been at work in my thinking and my life? What part of God’s truth do I need to replace these misconceptions with?
• Who do I need to extend forgiveness to?
• Who do I need to seek reconciliation with that I have harmed by my words or behavior?
• What relationship may need to be restored through genuine repentance, restitution and/or a rebuilding of trust?
• What is my next step in obedience to God?
Ready to take your Next Step?
• Go by the Next Steps area today after the service
• Fill out a Connect Card and drop it in the offering box
• Text Next to 803-637-8484
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps.”