1. 1 The Power of Forgiveness Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

2. 2 God Forgives…So Must We God’s forgiveness is our pattern, Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12-13 God’s forgiveness is our pattern, Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12-13 Forgiving others is the measure of our forgiveness, Matt. 6:14-15 Forgiving others is the measure of our forgiveness, Matt. 6:14-15 Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

3. 3 What is Forgiveness? “to send forth, send away (n) …a dismissal, release” (Vine) “to send forth, send away (n) …a dismissal, release” (Vine) Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

4. 4 Forgiveness is Not… Ignoring the sin (Lk. 17:3) Ignoring the sin (Lk. 17:3) Probation (2 Cor. 2:7) Probation (2 Cor. 2:7) Limited (Matt. 18:21-22) Limited (Matt. 18:21-22) Merely refusing to retaliate Merely refusing to retaliate Relieving the sinner of responsibility (Luke 23:34) Relieving the sinner of responsibility (Luke 23:34) Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

5. 5 When God Forgives He… Blots out the sin (Acts 3:19) Blots out the sin (Acts 3:19) Forgets the sin (Heb. 8:12) Forgets the sin (Heb. 8:12)  Doesn’t hold sin against us Receives back the sinner who repents (Luke 15:20-24) Receives back the sinner who repents (Luke 15:20-24) Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

6. 6 The Power to Forgive Comes from our own forgiveness Comes from our own forgiveness  Be compassionate, having received compassion, Luke 6:36  Mercy received, then denied, Matthew 18:21-35  Simon did not see his sin & his need for forgiveness, Luke 7:36-43, 47  The merciful obtain mercy, Matthew 5:7; 6:14-15 Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

7. 7 The Power to Forgive Comes from the power of love, Col. 3:13-14 Comes from the power of love, Col. 3:13-14  Love demands forgiveness, 1 Jno. 4:10-11  Love covers many sins, 1 Pet. 4:8 (Jas. 5:20) Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

8. 8 The Power to Forgive Comes from the power of love Comes from the power of love  Suffers long (patience, enduring)  Kind (gracious); not arrogant  Is not rude or selfish; does not try to “settle the score”  Does not rejoice in sin (overcomes sin)  Overcomes, endures, hopes & never fails! Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 1 Cor. 13:4-6

9. 9 Healing Power in Forgiveness Power to restore the soul from sin & death, Luke 15:32 Power to restore the soul from sin & death, Luke 15:32  We must be honest about our sin, Isaiah 59:1-2, 12-13  God will cleanse us from sin, 1 John 1:9  Always seek God’s forgiveness first, Psalm 51:4 Forgive, and you will be forgiven. James 5:16

10. 10 Healing Power in Forgiveness Power to restore the mind from sin’s guilt & pain, Psalms 32; 51 Power to restore the mind from sin’s guilt & pain, Psalms 32; 51  David’s guilt turned to songs of deliverance & joy in forgiveness  Paul, Acts 9:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:12-15  Sin’s sorrow relieved by brethren’s love, 2 Cor. 2:6-8 Forgive, and you will be forgiven. James 5:16

11. 11 Healing Power in Forgiveness Power to restore relationships Power to restore relationships  “The effect of forgiveness is to restore to its former state the relationship which was broken by sin.” (ISBE, II:1133)  With God, Luke 15:18-24  Between offended & offender, Matthew 18:15; Luke 17:3-4  Forgiveness strengthens, Eph. 4:31-32 Forgive, and you will be forgiven. James 5:16

12. 12 Characteristics of Forgiveness Limitless, 18:21-22 Limitless, 18:21-22 As God forgives, 18:23-27 As God forgives, 18:23-27  Completely, immediately, with finality, Psa. 103:3, 8-14 With humility, 18:28-30 With humility, 18:28-30 With mercy & compassion, 18:31-34 With mercy & compassion, 18:31-34 From the heart, 18:35 (genuine) From the heart, 18:35 (genuine) Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Matt. 18:21-35

13. 13 We Must Forgive! “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38) Forgive, and you will be forgiven.