Sunday, March 2, 2025
Series Overview: In this series, we will be taking an in-depth look into the seven specific statements Jesus voiced while He was on the cross. Our goal through this series will be to encourage and challenge you to ensure your faith life and life comittments are aligned with the message of the cross more than it ever has been before.
Luke 23:34 (NLT)
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
Jesus expressed one statement: “Forgive them.” Freely Given, settled, withholding nothing.
Our Statements
We reject, wrestle, and withhold.
“I can’t forgive myself.”
“I will never forgive.”
“I am not ready to forgive.”
“I’m working on forgiveness.”
“You’re not worthy of my forgiveness!”
Pain is the problem, forgiveness is the solution.
Understand that Forgiveness is not the struggle or issue. It is the remedy, the first step of healing.
The Issue: We struggle with pain. Healing from a betrayal is a painful process while trust is being rebuilt or healing from a broken heart when a relationship cannot be reconciled. Loss and betrayal are breaking agents that require healing. That healing is painful.
What Forgiveness is Not:
1. Not- Excusing wrongdoing
2. Not- Forgetting the offense
3. Not- Automatically restoring relationships
4. Not-A one-time event
5. Not-Conditional upon the offender’s actions
Forgiveness is:
- Absolute - Not optional
- Immediate - Do not delay
- Repetitive - Again and again
Absolute - Not Optional
Matthew 6:15 (NLT)
“But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Not because He can’t, it’s because you won’t allow Him to.
The Flesh Statements: You don’t know what they’ve done to me? Lord, you don’t know what I’ve done? I will never forgive them! I can’t forgive myself! The flesh will want to win every time.
The Spiritual Truth: Jesus Free Gift: Forgiveness was accomplished by Jesus Christ on the Cross. You cannot create or achieve it. It is a free gift based on His accomplishment, His final work, freely done for you, given to you, received by you, and given away by you. It is not yours to withhold, reject, or deny.
The Spiritual Principle: Forgive Freely. God commands us to receive and release forgiveness so we can be restored to Him, walking healed, and living free.
Immediate - Do not delay
Matthew 5:23-24 (NASB)
Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
The Flesh Statement: I’m not ready! I’m working on forgiveness. The flesh will want to win every time.
The Spiritual Truth: Jesus Finished Work: forgiveness is never broken therefore it is never worked on. It is His finished work not our work to add to or work on. It is finished. What Jesus has accomplished can never be broken.
Have you ever Heard someone say, “You broke my forgiveness?”
What is broken? Your heart or your trust?
The Spiritual Principle:
• Forgive immediately, heal gradually, trust slowly. to prevent roots of bitterness, anger, rage and resentment.
• Illustration: “I forgive you, but I do not trust you. It will take time for me to heal, and boundaries will likely need to be established.”
• Pursue the work of healing and rebuilding trust within yourself and with others. Withhold trust from someone who is not trustworthy or is caught in a cycle of sin. This will require boundaries.
Repetitive - Again and Again
Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
Then 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?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
The Flesh Statement: Am I a doormat? Someone you can walk all over and hurt continuously? The answer is no.
The Spiritual Truth: Forgiveness is Infinite and will always be the remedy for separation from God, healing to take place, and trust re-established at the level it can be. There are no levels, degrees or proof of worthiness for forgiveness to be released or received.
The Spiritual Principle:
• Forgiveness is not optional, it’s immediate, and repetitive. Trust is optional. Boundaries are needed. Examination and Evaluation are necessary.
• Withhold trust from someone who is not trustworthy or is caught in a cycle of sin. This will require boundaries. Boundaries and safeguards are your power when faced with someone who remains in a cycle of sin, continual-repetitive choices and behaviors.
• Illustration: “I forgive you once again, but I do not trust you. I need time to pray and evaluate the situation to determine if we can be reconciled.”
What Forgiveness is and Why does God Command it:
1. It is the only way to be right with God once again. He wants to be with you.
2. It is the gateway to healing. He wants to heal you and not harm you.
3. It is the cleansing agent of the heart. He desires every root of bitterness, anger, rage and resentment to be gone.
4. God’s first step to remedy, rebuild, and restore your heart and life. God wants you walking healed and living restored.
Trust and Forgiveness Side by Side Comparison:
Forgiveness, Trust and Healing are different principles that must be understood to experience their power and the freedom they possess.
Forgiveness: Is A Step within the Process
• Not optional: A spiritual command. We do not get to choose who we forgive.
• Immediate: Confessed and Released.
• Never Broken: It is finished!
• Never worked on. Not our work or accomplishment, but the finished work of Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross.
• No proof of worthiness required. No one gets to prove to us they are worthy of forgiveness.
• There are no “degrees” of forgiveness. It’s all or nothing.
• Expressed with no Boundaries or Safeguards: Forgiveness is the gateway to healing, the step that cleanses and purifies the heart.
Trust and Healing: Is a Process
• Optional. We choose who to trust, and we must choose wisely.
• Takes time: to heal and rebuild trust.
• Broken Trust and a Broken Heart requires time to rebuild and heal.
• Requires intentional work by both parties to accomplish rebuilding trust.
• Must prove you are trustworthy over time by consistent, right actions.
• There are different degrees/levels of trust. They will not all be the same.
• Rebuilt with Boundaries and Safeguards: The cycle of sin must be broken through godly sorrow and repentance before healing can begin and trust rebuild.
Closing thought…
Be encouraged to use today’s message as an invitation to pursue a life that lives out the message you just received. We also invite you to (if you already haven’t) invite Christ and His forgiveness over your life, giving you eternity with Him. We sincerely pray today’s talk has blessed you and becomes your experienced reality!
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