Sermon Central
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When He Won't Say "I'm Sorry"
Contributed by Larry Wilson on Sep 29, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: What are my biblical responsibilities when one who has offended me will not acknowledge his wrong? Our forgiveness is to be like God's forgiveness. So how does God forgive? The answer may not be what you are thinking.
When He Won't Say "I'm Sorry"
Forgiveness and Repentance
A Summary of Chapter 8 of
The Other Side of Love by Gary Chapman
Part of the Lessons in the School of Prayer Series
Calvary Baptist Church
Sunday, January 16, 2011
I. Forgiveness and Relationships
A. Sin Separates Our Relationship With God (Isa. 59:2)
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
B. The Relationship Can Die If Not Repaired (Rom. 3:23; 6:23)
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death [note: eternal separation from God]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
II. Forgiveness and Repentance
A. Our Goal in Everything is to Become Like Christ (Rom. 8:29)
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
B. In Forgivness, We Are to Follow the Example of Christ (Eph. 4:32)
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
C. What is the Pattern of God’s Forgiveness? (1 John 1:7-9)
1 John 1:7-9 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
D. The Basis of Restoring the Relationship and Receiving Forgiveness is Repentance (Jer. 3:12-14; Acts 2:37-39)
Jeremiah 3:12-14 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. 13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. 14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
Acts 2:37-39 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
E. God Demonstrates a Constant Willingness to Forgive (Isa. 1:18)
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
F. When We Repent, We Receive Instant Forgiveness (Ps. 103:10,12; Isa. 43:25; 1 Jn. 1:9)
Psalm 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
G. God Expects that We Show Repentance, Not Simply Regret (John 8:10-11)
John 8:10-11 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
H. Without Repentance, God Does Not Forgive (Matt. 23:37-38)
Matthew 23:37-38 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
I. What About the Saying from the Cross? (Lk. 23:34; Acts 2:22-24)
