Notes on Forgiveness - Sermon Outline from 4/14/13

Acts 6:8-14, 7:47-60

⁸Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called) stood up and argued with Stephen. ¹⁰But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.¹¹Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ¹²They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. ¹³They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; ¹⁴for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” ⁴⁷But it was Solomon who built a house for him. ⁴⁸Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with human hands; as the prophet says, ⁴⁹‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? ⁵⁰Did not my hand make all these things?’

⁵¹”You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. ⁵²Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. ⁵³You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.”

⁵⁴When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. ⁵⁵But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” ⁵⁷But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. ⁵⁸Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

The Word of God for the People of God

Notes on Forgiveness

     1. There is no 1 model of forgiveness – It’s throughout the Bible.  The only sure model is we are commanded to forgive.  There is no step-by-step guide. These are just observations from scripture.

2. Forgiveness includes (maybe starts with) self-forgiveness. If we are forgiven by God, who are we to not forgive our selves?

 3. Forgiveness is Hard! Jesus and Stephen are extreme examples making it seem simple. (Acts 25-26, Paul appeals to Caesar –King Agrippa- of his innocence)

4. Forgiveness cannot be done without God!

     5. Forgiveness Hurts (Jesus on Cross/Stephen being stoned) and Heals (Genesis 50:¹⁵Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” ¹⁶So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ¹⁷‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. ¹⁸Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” ¹⁹But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God?²⁰Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. ²¹So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.”)

6. Forgiveness is NOT weakness – It’s a sign of strength – Is Jesus a wimp? What if we looked at getting even as weakness?

7. Forgiveness does not do away with justice

8.  Forgiveness does not make you a punching bag – God’s commandments still rule! You are made in the image of God!

9. Questions: Can we forgive people who haven’t asked for it? – Jesus did on the cross/Stephen did while being stoned

10.  Forgiving vs. Enabling – Forgiving = forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us – Enable = letting people continue in their sin

11.  How much do we forgive? Jesus said 70 X 7 Times – That means forever in Hebrew numerology.