March 27, 2016 Teaching Outline

                                                  Holiness for Hurting People “The Freedom of Forgiveness”
                                                                              Eph. 4:31-5:2

• Identify a relationship where forgiveness has not taken place … w/God … w/self … w/others in your life. Write it down …

                                                                                  What is Forgiveness?
                                           It is the act of setting someone free from an obligation to you,
                                              which is a result of a wrong done against you… or to you.

 
                                                    There are 3 elements of forgiveness …
injury                                                debt                                        cancellation of debt.
 
Forgiveness can be true or false - counterfeit when …

•  it puts you one up on the one you forgive …
•  it is one way …
•  it denies anger …
•  it ends open and free relationships…
•  it leads to a Bitter Spirit …an Unforgiving Spirit …( Gal. 5:19-21)

 
What is the Biblical Perspective on Forgiveness? (Matt. 18:21-35)
 
“True Forgiveness” involves…

1. Realizing the Wrongdoing … 

 
There are 4 Fantasies that result from wrongdoing …

• That blaming (It’s all your fault)
• That avoidance (I don’t want to talk about it)
• That denial (what problem?)
• That undoing (I’ll make it up to you)

                                                     How do we realize wrong doing?
                                           By reducing the sense of “outraged innocence”

 2.  Reaffirm Love… ( Matt. 22:39) 

3.  Releasing the Past … (Phil. 3:4-21) 

4.  Forgive by Renewing Repentance … (Lk. 17:3-4) 

5.  Forgiveness involves  Rediscovering Relationships … (Matt. 5:23-24) 

                                               Where do you need to seek forgiveness?
                                                     Where do you need to forgive?
 
                                                                Is it with God?
                                                        Is it with someone else?