The Power of a Forgiving Church
Acts 2:14/Matthew 18:15-17/Mark 11:25/Ephesians 4:30-32
Intro:
Look at a United Church
They were all of one accord (Acts 1:14)
They were praying together in one place (Acts 2:1)
They were of one heart and soul (Acts 4:32)
This church Had Many Potential Problems
Peter had denied Christ three times
Thomas had doubted the Resurrection
The women had gone to the tomb to do the work of undertakers
Love enabled them to forgive and shake the world (Acts 17:6)
There Are Three Bible Calls to Forgiveness
I. Forgive to Restore a Brother (Matthew 18:15-17)
a. It is a simple straightforward plan
b. Your brother has sinned against you
i. You go to him alone, not telling anyone else
ii. You go immediately, praying for reconciliation
c. You lovingly tell your brother what divides you
d. If he responds, you forgive him and are reconciliation
e. If he doesn’t respond, you go to the church in an effort to gain your brother
II. Forgive so that your Prayers are not Hindered (Mark 11:25)
a. “And when you stand praying, forgive”
b. Effective prayer is vital to any church
i. The first meeting of the early church was a prayer meeting
ii. When believers agree in prayer, good things happen
c. We cannot pray effectively unless we forgive
d. It is obvious that every Christian who tries to pray with un-forgiveness in his heart finds a great wall of his sins piled up between him and God which he cannot get removed and cannot get taken out of the way until he forgives all the others have done against him” John R. Rice
e. Lack of forgiveness may keep your prayers from being answered
III. Forgive so you do not Grieve the Holy Sprit (Ephesians 4:30-32)
a. Why did the early church have such great power?
i. The members were weak and imperfect people
ii. The Holy Sprit was the source of their power
iii. They were filled with the Holy Spirit
b. When we don’t forgive, we grieve the Holy Sprit
i. When we stop grieving the Holy Spirit, His power flows through us
ii. Spirit – Filled people are not in bondage to malice and anger
c. We can forgive because we have been forgiven (v.32)
Con: Who Awaits your Forgiveness?
Go to That waiting One and you will not go alone
