Saturday, October 15, 2011

THINK ON THESE THINGS - SUNDAY MESSAGE



FORGIVE US....AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS....


It is easy (I hope) to forgive the rotten boss who favors another person over you, in spite of the quality of your good work.

It is easy to forgive the rude sales clerk, who shortchanged you at the cashier register, and then you go back and she is apologetic.
It is easy to forgive your own kids when they mess up, because we love them.
It is easy to forgive or be forgiven, by a spouse for an entire list of offenses…and on and on!

What about the drunk driver who killed your only son? It happened to my close friend and fellow minister, Nate (not his real name). A drunk driver killed his 25 year old son in Pittsburg in 2008. Nate, a powerful servant of Christ, went through all kinds of emotions, anxiety, trauma, tears and more.

During the trial for the drunk driver, less than two years, ago, when Nate forgave the woman who killed his son in court, it made the news in Pittsburg. More importantly, it lifted a burden of pain off him, which only Christ can do. The hurt and pain are still there, but the forgiveness Nate showed accomplished two things – he allowed the Power of God to free him AND he gave that young scared woman, a chance at redemption!

What Nate did here, was what Jesus Christ would have done! Remember what He said from the Cross “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!”


As we look at the next two phrases in our in depth study of the LORD's Prayer, think about what I just said above. 


Then search your hearts to see if this kind of Christ-like forgiveness resides within you! 
Has someone wronged you and  you are just having so much trouble getting over it? This is human nature. But get beyond your nature and mine, and let us look at the Nature of Christ.  


On the Cross, He showed us how to forgive even those who harm us to the utmost...to the core....Friends, just love that person as Jesus would....because He said so! Is it easy? No! It was not easy for Jesus, it will not be for us. It is not easy, it is necessary. So let us, you and I, move forward, in the Name of Jesus, amen.


Then join me in the two brief prayers at the end of this brief message/post, if the Lord leads. Thank you.

Matthew 6: 8-13:

Our Father in heaven,
      Hallowed be Your name.
      Your kingdom come.
      Your will be done
      On earth as it is in heaven.
      Give us this day our daily bread.
   And forgive us our debts,
      As we forgive our debtors.

    And do not lead us into temptation,
      But deliver us from the evil one.
      For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.



AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS: Lord we have a sin debt we can not pay; from Your Holy Path did we stray and deserve judgment on THAT Day. But You sent Your Precious Son, Jesus Christ to die on the Cross for our sins, so that by us dying with Him, being baptized in His Death and then rising with Him, we have attained fullness of eternal life. For the sins committed in the body since our salvation, which are many, help us to keep short accounts with You and we sincerely and humbly seek Your forgiveness for all we have done to offend You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen



AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS: Father, You said if we have something against our brother to go and make it right. You have forgiven us much so we must now forgive those who have offended us. We also pray for our enemies and those who have caused us harm, whether it is family, friend or foe; at home or at work, we pray for them to come to know You as Savior or if they do, that they be restored to You. We forgive those who cause us harm, like Stephen did to those who stoned him. Lord should they refuse our hand of friendship or the offer to do right or reciprocate, we put them completely in Your Mighty and Just Hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen



(Image by Google images)


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