The Audacity of Grace

THE AUDACITY OF GRACE
Matt 18:23-35

I. Why the Grace of Forgiveness is so vitally important?
a. The most terrifying words “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”
b. Forgiveness is the only way to break the cycle of ungrace and destruction.
i. Ecclesiastes- Nothing new under the sun
ii. But if we are in CHRIST—through the grace of forgiveness--17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5)
iii. Rev. 21:5- 5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
II. How to forgive?
a. Acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ
i. Philippians 2:5-11
b. Reflect on the issue (not the person), meditate on the scriptures, and respond to the Holy Spirit
i. Psalm 46:10- Be still, and know that I am God
ii. Psalm 119- 97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.
iii. John 14- 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
c. Repent for your actions and feelings of bitterness and disdain
i. Matthew 7:3-5- 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
d. Deal with it…As soon as possible
i. Ephesians 4:26-27- Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.
1. The devil is a liar- John 8:44- 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
2. John 10:10- 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
ii. John 3:16- Don’t wait for the other to make the choice to forgive
1. John 20:21- Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
e. Pray!
i. 2 Corinthians 12:9- 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
f. Do good through humble service
i. Luke 6- 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
ii. Romans 12- 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[a]says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[b] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1. Egyptian tradition of carrying a pan of burning charcoal on one’s head as a public act of repentance. Get rid of the enemy by making them your friend
III. Conclusion- Forgiveness is daily act
a. Luke 9- 23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!- Mercies new every morning.