Sermon About Forgiveness: The Power of Forgiveness Psalm 130
Psalm 130 is a beautiful expression of the power of forgiveness. The psalmist cries out to God from the depths of despair, acknowledging his own sinfulness and pleading for forgiveness. In verse 4, he writes, "But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared."
This verse captures the essence of the power of forgiveness: it is the means by which we can approach God, and it inspires reverence and awe for Him.
Learn how forgiveness works and why it's so important!
Why Is Forgiving Important?
Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do…” (Luke 23:34)
God’s forgiveness is our pattern for forgiving others, Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12-13.
Our forgiveness of others is the measure of forgiveness we will receive, Matt. 6:14-15.
Forgiving yourself for past mistakes is an essential part of healing. It helps us move on and live in the present.
1. Why Do People Need To Be Forgiven?
If we hold onto our anger, resentment, and bitterness, we will never feel better. Forgiving ourselves means letting go of those feelings and moving forward with our lives.
Forgive: “to send forth, send away (n)…a dismissal, release” (Vine); remit.
When God forgives He: blots out (Acts 3:19); forgets (Heb. 8:12, doesn’t hold sin against us); Receives back the sinner who repents (Lk. 15:20-24).
-Likewise, we are to forgive each other at all times.
It's easy to blame other people for our mistakes, but we must also learn to forgive ourselves. In fact, research shows that forgiving ourselves is more effective than forgiving others. This is because when we forgive others, we give them power over us. By contrast, when we forgive ourselves, we take back control of our lives.
Great power in forgiveness, but first we must have the power to forgive those who sin against us.
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Forgiv Comes From Our Own Forgiveness.
2. How Can I Start A Conversation About Forgiveness In My Life?
Overall, Psalm 130 teaches us that forgiveness is a powerful and essential aspect of our relationship with God and with others. It is a gift that we receive and a gift that we give, and it has the power to transform our lives and bring healing and reconciliation to our broken world.
If you're struggling with forgiveness, start small. Ask yourself what you would need to do to forgive someone who has wronged you. Then ask yourself what you would need in order to forgive yourself.
1. The power to have compassion for others, having received it ourselves, Lk. 6:36.
a. Matt. 18:21-35: Servant received mercy, yet did not give it.
b. Lk. 7:36-43,47: Simon “loved little” (7:47, 39) because he did not see or appreciate his need for forgiveness.
2. The merciful will obtain mercy (be forgiven), Matt. 5:7; 6:14-15.
- Forgiv Comes from the Power of Love, Col. 3:13-14.
- Love demands forgiveness, 1 Jno. 4:10-11; 1 Pet. 4:8. 1 Cor. 13:4-6: Love is applied in forgiving another person:
- Love does not dwell on evils it has incurred. If one dwells on evil, bitterness and resentment are sure fruits.
- There are some who like to keep score of wrongs done!
- Bearing a grudge is not in the character of love. Proverbs 10:12
- We should seek forgiveness!! Luke 17:3
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The Power to Restore the Soul from Sin & Death (Lk. 15:32).
3. Only God Can Forgive Sin
In the Bible, we see that sin is ultimately an offense against God (Psalm 51:4) and that only God has the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:7).
In the Old Testament, we see that God forgave sins through the sacrificial system, where the sins of the people were symbolically transferred to an animal that was sacrificed on their behalf (Leviticus 16:21-22).
In the New Testament, we see that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, has the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). He demonstrated this authority through his healing miracles and his ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where he bore the penalty of our sins and made a way for us to be reconciled to God (Colossians 1:19-20).
Must be honest about our sin, Isa. 59:1-2, 12-13. Always seek God’s forgiveness first; Sin is always against Him, Psa. 51:4.
God’s forgiveness heals the soul. The Power to Restore the Mind from the Guilt & Pain of Sin, Psa. 32:1-5, 7, 11; 51:8, 10-12.
For forgiveness someone had to pay the penalty.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
No Limits to Forgiveness, Mat 18:21-22.
As God Forgives, Mat 18:23-27 (completely, immediately, with finality, Psa. 103:3, 8-14).
With Humility, 18:28-30. With Mercy & Compassion, 18:31-34. From the Heart, 18:35 (genuine).
He has declared all under sin Rom. 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
