Devo Notes: I am Forgiven (Ch 12, "Who Do You Think You Are")

Aug 6 Mon - Eph 5 Aug 7 Tues - Mt 26 Aug 8 Wed - Mark 11

Aug 9 Thr – Mt 6, 13 Aug 10 Fri - Eph 4 Aug 11 Sat – 1 John 1

PRAYER: A - Adoration (prayer of centering; focus on God's goodness)

C - Confession (prayer of repentance and asking for God's forgiveness)

T - Thanksgiving (prayer of gratefulness, content, joy, avoiding pessimism)

S - Supplication (prayer for others; then pray for yourself)

S - STOP and listen... give God some time to speak to you --- end with the LORD'S PRAYER

1. Have you ever considered how sinful you are? Imagine writing down every wrong you have ever done + the right you have left undone. How long is the list?

- Now consider: Every "sin" of yours is a direct assault on God. Every sin of yours is a punch in the face to Jesus. And, God both hates it, and is angry about it.

a. Eph 5:6 - "anger/wrath of God comes against people of disobedience"

b. "The Day of the Lord" = Acts 2:20, Jesus returns to end "sin"/violence

- When people sin against you, doesn't it make you angry?

- When you sin against God, why shouldn't God be angry at you for it?

2. God IS angry (righteous anger), but You are forgiven because of "in Christ"

- Propitiation - God's wrath/anger against your sin is satisfied via the cross

- Mt 26:26-28, "Drink... this is the blood of the new covenant, for forgiveness of sin

a. Jesus substituted Himself for your punishment (took God's wrath for you)

- 1 John 1:9, "If you confess, God will cleanse you of all unrighteousness...

3. Since you are forgiven (and don't deserve it), You should also forgive

- Mark 11:25; Mt 6:14-15; Eph 4:32, "Forgive, as Christ forgave you"

4. WHY forgiveness matters? A: Without forgiveness, there is only bitterness

a. Mt 13:24-28, "An enemy has planted weeds among the wheat....

- What do weeds do, when their roots extend deep into your heart?

- Weeds? = greed, materialism, I.D.O.L.S., and certainly, unforgiveness

b. Bitterness/weeds = the longer you let it grow, the harder to pull up

1) Usually, good reasons to be bitter - You've been sinned against

c. NO PEACE, JOY, or LOVE while also BITTER - one or the other

d. Bitterness is a choice; people don't embitter you, only YOU can do that

5. Forgiveness is not about them; it is about an act of discipleship to God; No one has been sinned against more than God. Yet God forgives you; you do likewise.

6. WHAT forgiveness is? Respond to sinners the same way Jesus responds to us

a. it IS: Cancel the debt owed you; remove control the offender has over you; re-center from pain to Jesus; forsake revenge and leave to God; want good (God's will) for the offender; ongoing process, not a one-time product

b. it IS NOT: not denying the sin occurred; not enabling more sin; not forgetting; not reconciliation (you can forgive, and not be friends); not trust (you can forgive and not trust); not dependent on an apology

7. LITMUS TEST: 1. Pray for them; 2. Speak no ill of them; 3. Thankful (1 Thess 5:18)

Application: Who have you not forgiven? Where does bitterness reside in your heart? Where is Jesus calling you to forgive others, so God may forgive you?