The Incredible Gift of Forgiveness

Sermon Summary

Pastor Steve Marfia's sermon focuses on the transformative power of forgiveness, emphasizing its importance in a world full of hate. He shares personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate the significance of receiving forgiveness from God and extending forgiveness to others, both in minor and major situations. He also provides a comprehensive exploration of forgiveness, highlighting its role in relationships and its contrary nature to vengeance. He stresses that forgiveness is a gift from God, crucial for emotional and spiritual well-being, and he warns of the consequences of holding onto bitterness and anger.

Sermon Outline

FCF: Our enemies live in bitter unforgiveness and want us to suffer in the same torment.

Big Idea: Forgiveness is the incredible gift God is offering to us in Christ and through us to the world.

What forgiveness is…

1. opposite of vengeance - (Waka-Chaka!)

2. a shift from who hurt you to the One who heals you

3. both a one-time event and an ongoing process (70x7)

4. passing the case to the higher court

5. giving the burden you can't carry to Jesus who can

6. giving up control of the process and the outcome

7. making but not keeping a record of wrongs

8. opening the door for their repentance and the possibility of reconciliation

9. choosing health for your body and your soul

What forgiveness is not...

1. denying or pretending

2. minimizing or globalizing

3. covering a crime

4. based on their repentance or apology

5. completely forgetting

6. trust

7. agreement

8. public

9. God’s forgiveness