A Message by Rev.
Greg Moser
Given to
May 30, 2010
CHOOSING FORGIVENESS
OVER BITTERNESS
Hebrews 12:15
INTRO: Ryan Loveing stated the
number one issue in churches they have ministered in was BITTERNESS.
·
Doctors have
found that people who are bitter have much more arthritis, more stomach
problems, more heart trouble, and more mental problems.
·
ILLUS: South American vine known as the “matador.” Kills the trip by wrapping itself around
it. Crowns itself at the top with a
flower. Matador means “killer.”
·
There’s
another “matador” that God wants us to deal with this morning.
Let’s look at several
attitudes dealing with bitterness and unforgiveness…
1.
“There’s no unforgiveness
in my heart.”
·
Do you find
any of these statements to be true?
o
Every time I
think of (Person/Offense), I still feel angry.
o
I have a
subtle, secret desire to see (Person) pay for what he/she/they did to
me.
o
Deep in my
heart, I wouldn’t mind if something bad happened to the person(s) who hurt me.
o
I sometimes
find myself telling others how (Person) hurt me.
o
If (Person’s)
name comes up, I am more likely to say something negative about him/her than
something positive.
o
I cannot thank
God for (Person).
·
Remember,
forgiveness means that I fully release the offender from his debt—cleaning his
record, not to bring it up again.
2.
“There’s no way I could ever forgive (person)
for (offense). He/She/They hurt
me too deeply.
·
What are some
of the hurts Jesus suffered from us?
Isaiah 53:3-7
·
How has God
dealt with us who have sinned against Him so greatly? Ephesians 2:4-5; Isaiah 43:25; Micah 7:18-19
(p.1278)
·
How did Jesus
command us to respond to those who wrong us?
Luke 6:27; Romans 12:17-21; Ephesians 4:31-32
·
How are we
enabled to forgive? Philippians 2:13;
4:13
3.
“They don’t deserve to be forgiven.”
·
What did we do
to deserve GOD’s forgiveness? Romans 5:8
4.
“If I forgive them, they’re off the hook!”
·
By forgiving,
you turn them over to the justice of God.
YOU go free, not the offender! 2
Corinthians 5:10
5.
“I’ve forgiven them, but I’ll never be able to
forget what they did to me.”
·
When God
forgives us, what does He promise to do?
Psalm 103:12
·
Forgiveness
does not equal forgetfulness. An
omniscient God cannot forget. He does
promise not to hold our sins against us.
·
Ask yourself,
do you…
o
Desire for God
to bless him?
o
Desire to see
him spiritually restored?
o
Have a sense
of rest and relinquishment?
o
Have
gratefulness to God for this person?
o
Have a humble
spirit realizing how great you have sinned against God and how much He has forgiven
you?
6.
“I really have forgiven, but I still struggle with
feelings of hurt.”
·
What must we
be willing to do in addition to forgiving those who sin against us? Luke 6:27-31
·
The initial
act of releasing the offender must be followed by a commitment to invest
positively in his/her life.
7.
“I won’t forgive!”
·
Forgiveness is
a CHOICE. It is a choice that God both commands
and enables.
·
What can we
expect if we refuse to forgive those who sin against us? Matthew 18:32-35
Taken
from Life Action Revival Ministries (www.lifeaction.org)
Steps Toward Freedom From
Bitterness
(Taken from Charles
Stanley’s book, “The Gift of Forgiveness,” p. 169-70)
1.
Make a list of
WHO hurt you and HOW they hurt you.
2.
Make a list of
your own faults.
3.
Make a list of
things you have done and for which God has forgiven you.
4.
Ask God to
help you view that person who has wronged you as a tool in the hand of God.
5.
Ask God to
forgive you for your bitterness toward that person.
6.
Decide in your
heart to assume total responsibility for your attitude.
7.
If you feel it
is appropriate, and will not cause more problems that it solves, go to that
person, confess your bitterness, and ask for forgiveness. Remember, you are assuming the responsibility
for your attitude; you are not trying to get them to repent.
CONCLUSION: “Lord, I’ve been bitter, and right now, I’m going to choose, as an act
of my will, to forgive—to take these necessary steps of action. I thank You for that
person, for that circumstance, for that situation; and I choose to trust You
for the grace and power to respond as Jesus would. With Your help I want to move from bitterness
to forgiveness, and then on to joyful freedom.
Amen.”