Forgiveness

TEXT: EPHESIANS 4:26–32

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:26–32)

INTRODUCTION

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1. REJECT SATAN’S _Temptation_

A. To _Sin_ in Anger

“Be ye angry, and sin not:…” (Ephesians 4:26)

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20)

“And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.” (Mark 3:5)

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

B. To _Stay_in Anger

“…let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” (Ephesians 4:26)

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15)

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14)

“To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:10–11)

2. REFLECT BIBLICAL _Grace_

A. In Your _Actions_

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28)

B. In Your _Words_

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountai send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” (James 3:10–11)

“And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22)

“The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.” (John 7:46)

3. REFUSE TO _Grieve_ THE HOLY SPIRIT

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

A. _Bitterness_ Grieves God

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger…be put away from you…” (Ephesians 4:31)

B. _Sinful Speech_ Grieves God

“Let all… clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” (Ephesians 4:31)

4. REFLECT THE SAVIOUR’S _Forgiveness_

A. We Serve a _Kind_ Saviour

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted…” (Ephesians 4:32)

B. We Serve a _Forgiving_ Saviour

“…forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

CONCLUSION

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