Connecting The Dots - Week 5 Notes (Forgiveness)

Connecting The Dots Week 5

              “Forgiveness”

Key Verse: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

 

Jesus came to forgive. He laid down His life so that we could be free. 

We were made free for more than a few reasons, but there are two very important points for us to recognize this week:

1.

Our restored intimacy and right relationship with God (Colossians 1:13-14 ) (Hebrews 10:14-22)

2.

The ability to restore and be restored to intimacy and right relationship with one another through the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 18:21-22) (Matthew 10:8)

We were forgiven absolutely for all time, and with that gift we were imparted, by Jesus, the same ability to pass it on to others… or not.

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:22-23)

If we had to wield that Sword in our own power and without any direction we’d be all in big trouble. Thankfully though, God’s Word is filled with His power and Love so that we are able, even in our weakness, to know what He desires.

“And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying,“This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” (Luke 22:19)

The day before He was crucified Jesus left us a reminder of the example we should follow. Later The Apostle Paul elaborated and more clearly spelled things out.

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (1 Corinthians 11:26-28)

Jesus’ body and blood, the bread and the cup, are always remembrance to us. We pick days each month to signify them in church, but the nature of what Jesus did, what we received, and the freedom to which all are called compel a daily proclamation. When received and given the way Christ intended, forgiveness truly is a gift, in Love, from one undeserving soul to another. As Paul so aptly put it:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)

Discussion:

 

1.

Think of an example of simple forgiveness that had a lasting effect on your life.

 

2.

Is there any lingering offense or lack of forgiveness in your heart that may be holding you or someone you know captive?

 

More Scripture References: (John 12:27:28),  (Matthew 5:23-24), (Psalm 103:2-5, 8-14), (Luke 7:41-48)