1stBBC
Forgive them
Luk 23:33-34 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
This was the first cry out recorded in the gospels from the cross. Forgiveness is a basic foundation of the cross.
When debt become very huge, the only solution becomes forgiveness.
1. so that they learn how to forgive each other
As He was a model for us in Love, He is in forgiveness.
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Forgiveness is a principle and it cannot be applied except in all directions. God to Man and Man to Man.
Forgiveness heals and purifies the one who act on it.
Mat 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Mar 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
We all need it. Doing nothing is sin by itself, it is falling short.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
If He reconciled us to God, how couldn’t He reconcile us to each other?
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Although they know not what they do, they still need forgiveness. Ignorance is never an excuse for sin and evil.
Act 3:17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
Even if done with ignorance, they need to repent.
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
2. so that they can come back
Forgiveness is only granted for those who come back.
To forgive is to accept the converted without a price.
Forgiveness is never accepting sin or ignoring it or extending tolerance to sinners.
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone:
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
2Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Pro 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Repentance is a prerequisite for forgiveness.
Luk 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Not to forgive if no repentance does not mean to take revenge.
Gen 50:19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
This sermon about forgiveness was first heard by the criminal on the cross.
Luk 23:41-42 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
He called Lord someone dying on a cross besides him! How did he find that?
The display of forgiveness encouraged him to ask from Jesus.
The display of blood taught him about redemption.
Forgiveness and blood led him to understand Grace.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Lord remember me; Jesus reply for this was:
Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Pastor Tony Skaff
2006
