Series Introduction - Kelly• Welcome• In this miniseries we will be discovering

the different aspects of forgiveness.• First, we will look at what is forgiveness.

Up Next: Forgiving Yourself

Series Introduction (Cont) - Danae• Then we will discuss forgiving yourself.• Finally, we will look at forgiving those

who have offended us.

Up Next: Today’s discussion: What is forgiveness

Introduction - Kelly• Today, we are going to look at what

forgiveness is.• There are a lot of misconceptions

regarding forgiveness.

Up Next: Society wants us to think…

Introduction (Cont) Kelly• Society wants us to think that forgiveness

involves emotions and doesn’t last a lifetime.• Others even believe that some people

deserve forgiveness while others to not.

Up Next: Before we look into this series…

Introduction (Cont.) Kelly• Before we look into this series we need to

understand the foundation of forgiveness.• Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to

say compared to popular belief.

Up next: Popular belief says…. (Danae)

Popular Belief 1 - DanaePopular belief says that forgiveness is emotional.• “I don’t feel like forgiving”• “If it doesn’t feel right then I shouldn’t

forgive.”Up Next: Matthew 18:21-22

Matthew 18:21-2221Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Up Next: What does this mean for me?

Popular Belief 1 - DanaeWhat does this mean for me?• Forgiveness is a choice• I must keep forgiving people• Sometimes I must keep forgiving the same

people.

Up Next: Popular belief says forgiveness… (Kelly)

Popular Belief 2 - KellyPopular Belief says forgiveness is temporary.• “I will bring up this offence when they hurt

me again.”• “I’ll let it go for a while but not forever.”

Up Next: Psalm 103:8-12

Psalm 103:8-128The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

Psalms 103 (Cont.)11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.Up Next: What does this mean for me?

Popular Belief 2 - KellyWhat does this mean for me?• God is loving toward us and does not stay angry

forever so neither should we.• God does not treat us as we should be treated.

He shows us mercy.

• Up Next: He remembers our sins no more!

Popular Belief 2 - Kelly• He remembers our sin no more! We too

should forget the sins others have committed against us.

Up Next: Popular belief says forgiving is deserved (Danae)

Popular Belief 3 - DanaePopular belief says forgiving is deserved.• “They don’t have the right to be forgiven.”• “With what they did, they don’t deserve

forgiveness.”Up Next: Matthew 5:7

Matthew 5:77Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Up Next: Luke 11:4

Luke 11:4 (Lord’s Prayer)4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

Up Next: What does this mean for me?

Popular Belief 3 - DanaeWhat does this mean for me?• When we show mercy towards others

mercy will be shown towards us.• We must forgive everyone – not just some

people.Up Next: The thief on the cross

Luke 23:32-4332Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.)34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.) 35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.)36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.)38There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.)40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Luke 23:32-43 (Cont.) 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”43Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Up Next: Our take-away (Kelly)

Closing - KellyOur Take-Away:• We should not ask ourselves if we should

forgive, we should just make the choice to even when we feel we cannot do it.

Up Next: We must not hold past sins…

Closing - Kelly• We must not hold past sins against others.

Up Next: We do not deserve Jesus’ forgiveness…

Closing - Kelly• We do not deserve Jesus’ forgiveness

but out of love he choose to forgive us. We too must forgive others whether we think they deserve it or not.

Up Next: Forgiveness brings freedom!

Closing - Kelly• Forgiveness brings freedom!• When we fully forgive other people we are

no longer bound by bitterness or anger.• We can truly live.Up Next: That person no longer has a hold on us.

Closing - Kelly• That person no longer has a hold on us.• Thank you for joining us today.• We would like to encourage you to discuss this

topic with your group. If you do not have a group of people that you meet with then please send us an email with your thoughts.

Up Next: Prayer

Closing - Kelly• Close in Prayer• Join us next time as we discuss

Forgiving Yourself