The Essential Attitude of Forgiveness in the Church
This sermon delves into the profound importance of forgiveness within the Christian community and individual life. It thoughtfully explains why cultivating a forgiving heart is not merely an option, but a core aspect of living out our faith and reflecting God's nature.
This sermon argues that forgiveness is a crucial internal motivation for the church, as essential as holiness. It emphasizes that forgiving others mirrors God's character and is vital for spiritual well-being and blessing.
Overview
This sermon examines forgiveness as a crucial internal attitude for the life of the church, alongside other vital components like faith, obedience, and humility. The preacher emphasizes that while holiness is a necessary pursuit, it must be accompanied by forgiveness to prevent the church from becoming harsh or rigid. He asserts that imperfections and sins will always occur within the church, making a forgiving spirit perpetually necessary to avoid fracturing fellowship, limiting usefulness, and stealing joy.
The sermon highlights that forgiveness is the most godlike act a person can perform, drawing on various Old Testament passages to illustrate God's forgiving nature. It renames the "parable of the prodigal son" as the "parable of the forgiving father" to underscore God's lavish and hasty love towards repentant sinners. The preacher contrasts this divine model with a culture that often mocks forgiveness and exalts vengeance, asserting that a forgiving heart prevents bitterness and division within the body of Christ.
Furthermore, the sermon presents two additional arguments for forgiveness. First, whoever offends a person has offended God more deeply, implying that if God can forgive the greater offense, humans should forgive the lesser. Second, the sermon warns that an unforgiving person will not be forgiven in a temporal sense, leading to a forfeiture of present blessings and potential divine chastening. It clarifies that this temporary withholding of blessing is distinct from eternal salvation, which is secured through faith in Christ.
Ultimately, the sermon concludes that forgiveness is foundational to worthy worship and reconciliation, urging believers to settle grudges before approaching the Lord's Table. It portrays forgiveness as a shield against the enemy and a bringer of peace, reflecting the image of the forgiving Father and advancing Christ's kingdom.
Key points
- Forgiveness is an essential internal attitude and motivation for the church, alongside holiness.
- Imperfections, errors, and sins will inevitably occur within the church, necessitating constant forgiveness.
- Forgiveness is described as the most godlike act a person can do, mirroring God's character.
- God is by nature a forgiving God, as shown in Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the parable of the forgiving father in Luke 15.
- When a person offends another, they have offended God more, providing a reason for human forgiveness.
- Not forgiving others means forfeiting present blessings and potentially coming under God's temporal chastening.
- Reconciliation and a forgiving heart must precede worthy worship, including partaking in the Lord's Table.
In John MacArthur's words
“Never are you more like God than when you forgive.”
“Forgiveness is the most godlike act a person can do.”
“The one who doesn’t forgive won’t be forgiven.”
Outline
- I. The Necessity of Forgiveness in the Church
- A. Forgiveness is a crucial internal motivation alongside holiness
- B. Imperfections and sins will always occur in the church
- C. Unforgiveness leads to fractured fellowship, limited usefulness, and robbed joy
- II. Reasons to Exercise Forgiveness
- A. Forgiveness is the most godlike act a person can do
- 1. God is inherently a forgiving God (Exodus 34:6-7, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah)
- 2. Jesus' parable of the forgiving father (Luke 15)
- 3. Exhortations to forgive as God forgave (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13)
- 4. Forgiving enemies makes us sons of God (Matthew 5:44-45)
- B. Whoever has offended you has offended God more
- 1. Sin is primarily against God (Psalm 51:4, Psalm 41:4)
- 2. God, who is most holy and supremely offended, forgives freely
- 3. Parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35)
- C. The one who doesn't forgive won't be forgiven (in a temporal sense)
- 1. Forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12, 14-15)
- 2. Eternal vs. temporal forgiveness: present blessings are contingent on forgiving others
- 3. God chastens those who do not forgive
- III. Forgiveness Precedes Worship
- A. Settle grudges before presenting offerings (Matthew 5:23-24)
- B. Unforgiveness makes one unfit for the Lord's Table
Scripture references
- Exodus 34:6-7
- Psalm 32:1
- Psalm 85:2-3
- Psalm 130:4
- Isaiah 43:25
- Isaiah 55:6-7
- Jeremiah 33:8
- Luke 15
- Ephesians 4:32
- Colossians 3:13
- Matthew 5:44-45
- Matthew 6:12
- Matthew 6:14-15
- Matthew 18:21-35
- Matthew 5:23-24
- Psalm 51:4
- Psalm 41:4
6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
4 I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
Insights
A church cannot truly thrive if it is unwilling to extend forgiveness.
Our growing sensitivity to sin reveals our increasing need for grace.
We are never more like God than when we choose to forgive another.
Questions & answers
Why is forgiveness considered an "internal system" of the church?
The sermon describes forgiveness as a crucial internal motivation and attitude, similar to faith, obedience, and love. It's an "internal system" because it carries the life force of the church, enabling healthy relationships and preventing bitterness.
How does the sermon define forgiveness?
Forgiveness is defined as a promise and a pledge of undeserved love. It means passing by transgression completely, holding no anger, hatred, desire for vengeance, or retaliation, and extending full love.
What is the true title of the parable of the prodigal son, according to this sermon?
The sermon suggests a more fitting title is "the parable of the forgiving father." This re-emphasis highlights the father's lavish and eager forgiveness of his unworthy son as the central message.
What is the difference between eternal and temporal forgiveness in the sermon's view?
Eternal forgiveness is received through faith in Jesus Christ, settling one's future blessing. Temporal forgiveness, however, is needed for sanctification and settles present blessing. Not forgiving others can lead to a withholding of present temporal forgiveness from God.
Why must forgiveness precede worship, according to the sermon?
The sermon, referencing Matthew 5, states that if a person has an unsettled grudge against a brother, they should first be reconciled before presenting their offering at the altar. Bitterness and unforgiveness make one unfit to worship God worthily.
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Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on Grace to You. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.