“Forgiveness – The Defeat of Revenge & The Victory
of Surrender”
Russell H. McCullough / 72nd Carolina Lectures / Mountain
Island church of Christ
http://www.micoc.org/sermons/CL0709AM.mp3
http://www.micoc.org/sermons/CL0709AM.mp3
Text: Matthew 6.14 – 15 (Context: 5 – 15)
Job 42.10 – “And the
Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had
before.”
James 5.19 – 20
The IRONY of Christianity:
The more we mature, the more we are aware of our own sins. The more aware we are of our own sins, the
more our need of forgiveness. In order
to receive more forgiveness, the more forgiveness we must give to others. The only way that is accomplished is to be
increasingly engaged in the lives of others.
AND the only way that is accomplished is to increasingly spread the
gospel,
Thesis: “Biblical
forgiveness isn’t emotion, it isn’t action, it isn’t even theological –
Biblical forgiveness is DEFINITIVE, it is who we are!”
“In short, The Who of
Forgiveness is ME, the What of Forgiveness is SURRENDER, the When of
Forgiveness is NOW, the WHY of Forgiveness is God’s Will, and the Where of
Forgiveness is EVERYWHERE.”
OBSERVATIONALLY: Forgiveness is “Ify,” – I get what I give,
forgiveness is necessary for OTHERS, forgiveness is necessary for me
and…forgiveness is definitive of God!
1
Intro: “Forgiveness in the Pharisee’s Theology”
A.
The
Pharisee followed, not the Law and the Prophets, but the Oral Law of the
Jews…what is now known as the TALMUD.
1.
The
TALMUD is a written commentary by many Rabbi’s over about 400 years beginning
about 200 B.C and ending about 200 A.D.
2.
By
the time of Christ these “traditions” had become superior to the Scriptures
themselves.
3.
In
truth, the concept of “forgiveness” was nearly foreign to the Pharisees
theology. As he saw it, he didn’t NEED
forgiving! Why?
He was of the chosen race
He was the child of Abraham
He was the possessor of the Law
He was the possessor of the Land
He was the possessor of the Temple
He was the possessor of the Promise
He was the possessor of the Mark of God
He was the possessor of God’s blessings of
health,
wealth, power and position
His atonement was accomplished in Babylon
His restoration was accomplished upon the
return
Forgiveness was only for others beneath his
station
not himself
Forgiveness was only for those who asked him
for it
Forgiveness was given by him only to others
who
deserved it
Forgiveness was only for those poor and sick
Forgiveness was a quid pro quo, reciprocity,
transaction where the giver got something of
“equal or
lesser value” in return
2
The Meaning of the Word “Forgiveness” in the NT:
A.
The
Root Word for “Forgiveness” is Translated 3 Ways:
1)
Matthew
26.28 – “Remission”
2)
Mark
3.29 – “Forgiveness”
3)
Luke
4.18 – “Liberty”
B. THAYER –
“Release from bondage or imprisonment.
Forgiveness or pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been
committed), remission of the penalty.”
C. STRONG –
“Freedom, pardon, deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.”
D. In reality, forgiveness defined is a process.
1) Defeat
one’s “right” of revenge
2) Seek the
good of one’s adversary
3) Pour out
the gospel of forgiveness
4) Achieve
victory for both you and your adversary by your
surrender to the will of God -
“Forgiveness – The Defeat of Revenge and the Victory of Surrender!”
3
What Does Forgiveness Look Like to JESUS?
A.
Forgiveness
is EXEMPLARLY – Luke 23.34
B.
Forgiveness
is PURPOSEFUL – Luke 4.18 - 19
C.
Forgiveness
is REACTIVE – Matthew 5.43 - 46
D.
Forgiveness
is PROACTIVE – II Corinthians 5.10 – 11a
E.
Forgiveness
is CONDITIONAL – Matthew 6.9 - 15
F.
Forgiveness
is COMMANDED – Matthew 28.18 - 20
G.
Forgiveness
is REWARDED – Matthew 6.19 - 21
4
The Meaning of the Text
A. The longer one lives, the more forgiveness one needs!
B. The way to receive more forgiveness is to give more of it
away!
C. The more forgiveness one gives away, the more one
receives!
5
The Challenge of the Text
A. II Corinthians 5.16 – 21 – Surrender to one’s calling
B. Seek out the enemy
C. Surrender your “rights”
D. Engage the enemy through love and caring
E. Pour out the sweet wine of the gospel from your vessel to
theirs.
