Raise Them Up (Part 4): Forgiveness | Pastor Jayson Workman | 05-30-2021

Raise Them Up: Forgiveness

Pastor Jayson Workman

Ephesians 4:31-32

May 30, 2021

 

A heart of forgiveness frees you from past pain and a lifetime of bitterness.

 

Proverbs 19:11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

 

Colossians 3:13 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.

 

1. We are called to forgive because of the BURDEN of bitterness.

 

Bitterness described

Bitterness is settled anger, a settled stance or posture against the perpetrator.

 

Bitterness destroys 

 

• imprisons you to your past

 

• produces more bitterness

 

• provides Satan an open door

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

 

• hinders your fellowship with God

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

2. When you choose to forgive it becomes a BLESSING.

 

Quote: “In the shadow of my hurt, forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one undeserving soul to another.” — Andy Stanley