@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki - Abuja
20th September, 2015
☆ SERMON
* Speaker: Rev. Chrysantus John Bala
* Topic: Growing in Forgiveness
* Theme: Growing up in Christ
* Sub-Theme: Growing in Love
* Service Leader: Mrs. Patience Jelka
* Text: 1 Corinthians 13:5-7
* What does it mean to grow in forgiveness?
→ it is a progressive commitment to abide in the act of forgiveness & letting go of offences
*QUOTE: “The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest.” > Unknown
* Verse 5: "Love does not keep record of wrongs."
* When you don't record every single wrong done by others against you, it is easy to let go
* Forgiveness is not only about others, it is about your own spiritual growth & wellbeing
* Love and forgiveness can never be separated; they work hand in hand
★ Matthew 18:21-22 →"Then Peter came up and asked him, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? Seven times?” Jesus told him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but 77 times!"
* Jesus was teaching Peter that forgiveness has no limit and no specific break-point number
* For there to be harmony between you and others, you must be ready to forgive
★ John 13:1 →"Now before the Passover Festival, Jesus realized that his hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."
* Jesus is our perfect model for love-based forgiveness
→ He loved till the very end!
* Are you ready to love others to the very end?
→ If you are truly following the footsteps of Jesus, then you must be ready to accomodate wrong
* Forgiving others is a precondition for obtaining forgiveness from God
* Many marriages have crumbled due to the incidence of unforgiveness
★ Matthew 5:23-24 →" So if you are presenting your gift at the altar and remember there that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and first go and be reconciled to your brother. Then come and offer your gift."
* Acts of love and forgiveness are preferred by God above sacrifices
→ Sacrifices offered with wrath in your heart are not acceptable!
* NOTE: Jesus did not count your sins against you; why should you hold other people's wrongs against them and refuse to Iet go?
* As a believer, you must be ready to forgive those who injure you and accomodate every wrong done to you
★ MISSION CHARGE:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do. Hate cannot drive out hale; only love can do."
→ Martin Luther King Jr.
★ QUOTE:
"Nothing builds intimacy between people like words of love and appreciation . . . Love expressed draws people together."
→ Bob Gass
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