(Some notes from Spirit driven success –by Dani Johnson)
Pastor Tim P. Blaisure – 12/04/2022 – Morning Message
Intro:
While reading a book the other day that mentioned some things about forgiveness, and thinking about Christmas time, I realized that Jesus whole reason for coming as a baby was to make a way for everyone to receive forgiveness.
You see forgiveness is giving up the right to be angry. It is giving up the opportunity to punish someone. God put our punishment (and others punishment) on Jesus. We should receive the ultimate punishment for all our wrongs, but instead God chose to send His only Son to be born and die for our forgiveness.
Christmas doesn’t have to be a time just giving things and time, but it can go so much further, through receiving forgiveness from God and through giving someone who has wronged you the greatest gift this year-- FORGIVENESS!
Let’s look at some things that forgiveness includes:
Foundation Scriptures: Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
I. JESUS WAS BORN TO FORGIVE AND WHY?
A. Forgiveness cleans (1 John 1:9) NLT
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
B. Forgiveness forgets (Heb. 8:12) NLT
“And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
C. Forgiveness ensures your forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15)
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
D. Forgiveness is tied to staying Healthy (Ex. 10:16-17)
Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron. “I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you,” he confessed.
17 “Forgive my sin, just this once, and plead with the Lord your God to take away this (sickness unto) death from me.”
E. Forgiveness produces love (Luke 7:47) NLT
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
Conclusion:
The greatest gift you can receive and give this Christmas season is FORGIVENESS!
It is one of the most constant subjects throughout the Bible, yet most of the time we so easily shove it aside.
We are commanded to forgive and ask for forgiveness. We need to forgive in order to get rid of anger, bitterness, and resentment. These three things have been linked to sickness and even death.
Walking in forgiveness brings great freedom and that is why it is so important to practice forgiveness every day of our lives.
So, I challenge you in this Christmas season to forgive and ask for forgiveness from every man, woman or child who has ever slandered you, hurt you, lied about you, belittled you, was jealous of you, judged you, misjudged you, molested you, violated you, or overlooked you for a promotion. For everyone who did not encourage you, but instead spoke bad things over you and about you and everyone who wasn’t there when you needed them.
Why you might say, because Jesus Christ was born to forgive you so you can be forgiven and forgive others as Christ forgave you!