Embracing Forgiveness: Living with Eternal Purpose
Summary
If you only had 30 days left to live, how would you spend those days? This question challenges us to focus on what truly matters in life. Often, we get caught up in the temporary, neglecting the eternal. Attending funerals can be a powerful reminder of life's brevity and the importance of leaving a meaningful legacy. At funerals, we don't hear about material possessions or career achievements; instead, we hear stories of love, devotion, and impact. This reflection leads us to consider the significance of forgiveness, a central theme in our faith.
Forgiveness is at the heart of why God sent Jesus to earth. It is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing our desperate need for it. Jesus taught that forgiving others is essential for receiving God's forgiveness. Yet, many of us struggle with forgiveness due to various traps: living as if time is limitless, allowing pain to prevent us from processing forgiveness, waiting to forgive as a means of getting even, and fearing further hurt. These traps lead to bitterness, robbing us of the joy and freedom Christ offers.
To embrace forgiveness, we must live like time is limited, process pain properly, exchange the goal of getting even for living in freedom, and separate forgiveness from trust. Forgiveness is a choice we must make, but we don't have to process pain alone. Seeking help from trusted friends, life group leaders, pastors, or counselors can aid in this journey. By choosing forgiveness, we release the weight of unforgiveness, experience more joy and peace, and leave a legacy that glorifies God.
Ultimately, we will stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives. The words we long to hear are "Well done." Choosing forgiveness, even when it's difficult, aligns us with God's will and allows us to experience His freedom. Let us be a people marked by forgiveness, modeling it for those around us, and honoring God in our relationships.
Key Takeaways:
- Life's brevity should shift our focus from temporary pursuits to eternal legacies. Attending funerals reminds us of this, prompting us to consider how we will be remembered and the impact of our lives. [18:52]
- Forgiveness is a central theme in Scripture, highlighting our need for it and God's command to forgive others. It is essential for receiving God's forgiveness and living in freedom. [23:36]
- Unforgiveness traps us in bitterness, preventing us from experiencing the joy and freedom Christ offers. Recognizing these traps helps us choose a different path. [29:15]
- Embracing forgiveness involves living like time is limited, processing pain properly, exchanging revenge for freedom, and separating forgiveness from trust. These steps lead to a life of joy and peace. [32:17]
- Forgiveness is a choice we must make, but we don't have to process pain alone. Seeking help from trusted friends, leaders, or counselors can aid in this journey, allowing us to experience God's freedom. [35:23]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[15:28] - Reflecting on Life's Brevity
[17:07] - The Impact of Funerals
[18:04] - Questions of Legacy
[18:52] - The Value of Eternal Focus
[19:36] - Legacy Over Accomplishments
[21:24] - Gratitude and Relationships
[22:09] - The Importance of Forgiveness
[23:36] - Jesus' Teaching on Forgiveness
[24:30] - Struggles with Forgiveness
[25:23] - Traps of Unforgiveness
[26:09] - Pain and Forgiveness
[27:56] - The Cost of Unforgiveness
[29:15] - Bitterness and Its Effects
[32:17] - Choosing a Different Ending
[32:56] - Embracing Forgiveness
[35:23] - Seeking Help in Forgiveness
[36:20] - Living in Freedom
[39:48] - Separating Forgiveness and Trust
[41:24] - The Weight of Unforgiveness
[42:07] - Choosing the Better End
[44:12] - Prayer and Response
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ecclesiastes 7:2
- Matthew 6:14-15
- Ephesians 4:31-32
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ecclesiastes 7:2, why is it considered better to spend time at funerals than at parties? How does this perspective relate to the sermon’s emphasis on life’s brevity? [18:52]
2. In Matthew 6:14-15, what condition does Jesus place on receiving forgiveness from God? How does this align with the sermon’s message on the importance of forgiving others? [23:36]
3. What are some of the traps of unforgiveness mentioned in the sermon, and how do they prevent us from experiencing the freedom Christ offers? [25:23]
4. How does Ephesians 4:31-32 describe the behaviors we should avoid and the attitudes we should adopt in our relationships with others? [42:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does attending funerals help shift our focus from temporary pursuits to eternal legacies, as discussed in the sermon? [18:52]
2. Why might Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:14-15 be challenging for people to accept or practice? What does this reveal about the nature of forgiveness? [23:36]
3. The sermon mentions that unforgiveness can lead to bitterness. How does this align with the warning in Hebrews 12:14-15 about the "poisonous root of bitterness"? [29:15]
4. What does it mean to separate forgiveness from trust, and why is this distinction important in maintaining healthy relationships? [39:48]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the question, "If you only had 30 days left to live, how would you spend those days?" How does this perspective challenge your current priorities and focus? [15:28]
2. Are there any relationships in your life that are in need of repair due to unforgiveness? What steps can you take this week to begin the process of reconciliation? [22:09]
3. The sermon suggests seeking help from trusted friends, leaders, or counselors to process pain. Who in your life can you reach out to for support in your journey toward forgiveness? [35:23]
4. How can you live like time is limited in your daily life, especially in terms of extending forgiveness and building meaningful relationships? [32:17]
5. Consider the concept of exchanging the goal of getting even for living in freedom. How can you apply this principle in a current situation where you feel wronged? [36:20]
6. What practical steps can you take to separate forgiveness from trust in a relationship where you have been repeatedly hurt? How can this help you maintain healthy boundaries? [39:48]
7. How can you model forgiveness in your relationships, and what impact do you hope this will have on those around you? [42:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Life's Brevity
Life is fleeting, and this realization should shift our focus from temporary pursuits to eternal legacies. Often, we become consumed with the busyness of life, chasing after achievements and material possessions that ultimately hold no lasting value. Attending funerals can serve as a poignant reminder of life's brevity, prompting us to reflect on how we will be remembered and the impact of our lives. In these moments, we are reminded that the stories shared are not about wealth or accolades but about love, devotion, and the difference we made in the lives of others. [18:52]
"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one temporary pursuit you can let go of today to focus more on building an eternal legacy?
Day 2: The Necessity of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a central theme in Scripture, highlighting our need for it and God's command to forgive others. It is essential for receiving God's forgiveness and living in freedom. Jesus taught that forgiving others is not optional but a requirement for those who wish to experience the fullness of God's grace. Yet, many struggle with forgiveness, often due to the misconception that it condones the wrong done to them. Instead, forgiveness is about releasing the hold that past hurts have on us, allowing us to move forward in freedom and peace. [23:36]
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today? What steps can you take to begin this process?
Day 3: Breaking Free from Bitterness
Unforgiveness traps us in bitterness, preventing us from experiencing the joy and freedom Christ offers. Recognizing these traps helps us choose a different path. Bitterness can consume our thoughts and emotions, leading to a life filled with resentment and anger. By choosing to forgive, we break free from these chains, allowing ourselves to experience the abundant life that Christ promises. This choice is not easy, but it is necessary for our spiritual and emotional well-being. [29:15]
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of bitterness in your life that you can surrender to God today?
Day 4: The Path to Joy and Peace
Embracing forgiveness involves living like time is limited, processing pain properly, exchanging revenge for freedom, and separating forgiveness from trust. These steps lead to a life of joy and peace. Forgiveness is a deliberate choice that requires us to let go of the desire for revenge and instead seek healing and restoration. It is important to understand that forgiveness does not mean forgetting or excusing the wrong but choosing to release its hold on us. By doing so, we open ourselves to the joy and peace that God desires for us. [32:17]
"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively pursue peace in a relationship that has been strained by unforgiveness?
Day 5: Seeking Help in Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a choice we must make, but we don't have to process pain alone. Seeking help from trusted friends, leaders, or counselors can aid in this journey, allowing us to experience God's freedom. It is important to recognize that forgiveness is a process that may require support and guidance from others. By reaching out for help, we can gain new perspectives and find the strength to forgive, ultimately leading to a life marked by freedom and joy. [35:23]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Who can you reach out to for support in your journey of forgiveness today?
Quotes
Forgiveness is at the heart of why God sent his son Jesus to this earth. He sent him here to live a sinless life for us, to be crucified on the cross, to pay for our sins so that we can be forgiven. And if you read through scripture, you don't have to read very far before you see God begin to talk about forgiveness. [00:22:09] (20 seconds)
Matthew 6 verses 14 and 15, this is our foundational scripture for today. Jesus said this, if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your father will not forgive your sins. [00:22:57] (18 seconds)
Forgiveness, it clearly matters to God, both that we are forgiven and that we forgive others. And today we're going to focus on the latter of those two, the decision to forgive others and how it impacts the quality of our life. So at all of our campuses, even those of you that are with us through New Life Online, wherever you're joining us from today, I want you to raise your hand if you've ever had difficulty forgiving someone. [00:23:42] (26 seconds)
We're going to look at four reasons or four traps of unforgiveness. Now, this is not an exhaustive list. You might have one or two things that you would add to this list, but for the sake of time today, we're going to look at four traps of unforgiveness. Why don't we forgive? The first trap that I would present is this. We live like time is limitless. [00:25:01] (23 seconds)
We live as if we are going to have more time and another opportunity, forgive. So we put it off. We think we'll have time to forgive later. So we procrastinate and we get distracted by other things. And we choose not to forgive because we think time is limitless. If we only have 30 days to live though, I don't think we would procrastinate with forgiveness. [00:25:23] (27 seconds)
The number one effect caused by unforgiveness is bitterness. Say bitterness. Bitterness. It's difficult for your life to be full of joy when your heart is filled with bitterness. And if we never rip out that root of unforgiveness from our heart, then what is it going to produce? It's going to produce a bitter life, a resentful life, a life that looks around at all of the other people and you're upset that they seem to have more joy, more resentment. [00:28:41] (34 seconds)
You see, when you choose not to forgive, your life lacks the freedom that Christ offers. How many of you want the freedom that Christ offers? I think we all do. I think we all do, or we wouldn't be sitting here. We wouldn't be joining through New Life Online. We wouldn't be at one of our other campuses. We wouldn't be sitting here today gathering to worship God, to hear a message from God's word, if we didn't want to live in the freedom that Christ offers. [00:29:46] (29 seconds)
Live like time is limited. Don't put off forgiveness to tomorrow when you can do it today. Live like time is limited. James 4, the last part of verse 14 says, your life is like the morning fog. It's here a little while, then it's gone. It's good to not live in denial of that truth. So live like time is limited. And when you realize that it is limited, man, it enriches all the time that you do have left. [00:32:56] (32 seconds)
Exchange the goal of trying to get even and getting revenge. Because you know what? Even if you accomplish that, even if you succeed at that, is that going to make your life better? No. So exchange the goal of trying to get even for the goal of living in freedom. Go back to our foundational scripture again. Matthew 6, 14 through 15. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your father will not forgive your sins. [00:36:20] (30 seconds)
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