7-19-2015
"The Freedom of Forgiveness"
Ephesians 4:  29-32; Matthew 6: 12-15

THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS Ephesians 4. 29-32; Matthew 6. 12-15 I.  ___-FORGIVENESS IS A HEAVY LOAD AND A DESTRUCTIVE FORCE A.  Unforgiveness often leads to “bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, divorce, strife, and other types of evil behavior- desires to “get even.”   B.  _______ marriage, every family, every church has times of disagreement, arguing, tension, and broken relationships.  II.  RESULTS OF _____________________ A.  Loneliness, bitterness, hatred  B.  __________ Spiritual Life- III.  THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________ A.  Jesus said it, Paul the writer of Ephesians…wrote it, wise men & women ever since have encouraged forgiveness.  B.  NOT AN EASY THING TO _____ IV.  BENEFITS OF FORGIVENESS A.  _____________ B.  Health & wholeness C.  Joy & graciousness V.  WHAT TO _____ - IN ORDER TO BEGIN FORGIVENESS PROCESS:   A.  Go to the person and “talk about it.”                                                   -Do a lot of “listening”                                                          -Hear the person’s motivation and their own pain/fear/struggle.                                                     -Assume responsibility for your actions & decisions to hold on to hurt.                                                     -Do something for the person who has hurt you…serve them, pray for them, do a kind deed.                                                   -Refuse to “re-hash & re-harbor” the same old issue  B.  Realize that forgiveness is often a __________…it may take some time C.  Ask Jesus to work in your heart, to help you forgive, and love like He does. VI.  TWO INDICATORS THAT YOU HAVE FORGIVEN (OR STARTING TO)  A.  Your feelings about the person have changed  B.  Forgiveness is genuine when you feel concern/compassion for the other person. VII.  HAS YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE BEEN DERAILED BY UNFORGIVENESS & RESENTMENT?