The Disciples Prayer (Part 2)

John Wilson

Matthew • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Introduction.

Unbroken - A Striking story of Forgiveness of Louis Zamparini.

Run in the olympics, , Adrift, POW,

The Hollywood version of The story is about outlasting his enemies. About inner strength, digging deep.(jolie)

But the True story was about Gods strength sustaining him and Forgiving his enemies, (jolie You see after Louis Got back he relished in his victories but secretly battled PTSD

Louie claimed that his greatest challenge was not running a 56 second lap, surviving on a raft for 47 days or even enduring torture at the hands of the infamous “Bird.” He stated:

Billy Graham and the Conversion of his enemies.

Louie claimed that his greatest challenge was not running a 56 second lap, surviving on a raft for 47 days or even enduring torture at the hands of the infamous “Bird.” He stated:

“I think the hardest thing in life is to forgive. Hate is self-destructive. If you hate somebody, you’re not hurting the person you hate, you’re hurting yourself. It’s a healing, actually [to forgive], it’s a real healing…forgiveness.” –

If we have truly experienced God’s forgiveness, then we will have a readiness to forgive others. Religious Hypocrites just pretend to love God, but true lovers of God will be characterised by a forgiving nature.

The Big Idea.

The real life Louie Zamperini died on July 2 at the age of 97 and his accomplishments could span another half hour biography. He battled post-traumatic stress and alcoholism becoming a born-again Christian after hearing a young pastor by the name of Rev. Billy Graham speak in September 1949 and made forgiveness the theme of his life. In subsequent years, he devoted himself to spreading the word of spirituality, fortitude and forgiveness...going so far as to travel back to Japan and making peace with the very tormentors who had starved him and beat him senseless. Only "The Bird" refused to meet with him.The Big Idea.

if we have truly experienced God’s forgiveness, then we will have a readiness to forgive others

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 26.

Lets Raise The Stakes

The Lord Jesus striking blunt warning - For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Exegesis

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Recap

Hypocrisy - Jesus has been delivering his teaching on Religious Hypocrisy and calls his followers to a greater integrity in their religious observances. He teaches his followers how to pray .

Recap Last time we looked at the first half of the Lords prayer

Prayer is a family affair - Our Father we are praying with Jesus and With our brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Who’s Glory Who’s kingdom? True prayer seeks to Glorify God’d name and seek Gods Kingdom on earth rather than building our own kingdoms and Glorifying our own names before men

Body - Second half of Lords Prayer.

Give us today our Daily Bread - If we put God’s concerns first, then we can bring our own needs. God is concerned about our needs and knows them even before we mention them ().

If we put God’s concerns first, then we can bring our own needs. God is concerned about our needs and knows them even before we mention them (). If this is the case, then why pray? Because prayer is the God-appointed way to have these needs met

why pray? Because prayer is the God-appointed way to have these needs met. It is right to pray for daily physical needs, for forgiveness, and for guidance and protection from evil.

Forgive us our Debts as we forgive our Debters - The assumption that we will do this

Application

“Lead us not into temptation” does not mean that God tempts His children (). In this petition we are asking God to guide us so that we will not get out of His will and get involved in a situation of temptation (), or even in a situation of tempting God so that He must miraculously rescue us ().

It is right to pray for daily physical needs, for forgiveness, and for guidance and protection from evil.

Forgivness - For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Application

Do we earn Gods forgiveness?

He was not teaching that believers earned God’s forgiveness by forgiving others; for this would be contrary to God’s free grace and mercy.

One way process. The point is not so much that forgiving is a prior condition of being forgiven, but that forgiveness cannot be a one-way process. Like all God’s gifts it brings responsibility; it must be passed on. To ask for forgiveness on any other basis is hypocrisy

The point is not so much that forgiving is a prior condition of being forgiven, but that forgiveness cannot be a one-way process. Like all God’s gifts it brings responsibility; it must be passed on. To ask for forgiveness on any other basis is hypocrisy

However, if we have truly experienced God’s forgiveness, then we will have a readiness to forgive others (; ). Our Lord illustrated this principle in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (). The point lies not in the time-sequence, but, as vv. 14–15 will explain, in the insincerity of a prayer for forgiveness from an unforgiving disciple.

The point lies not in the time-sequence, but, as vv. 14–15 will explain, in the insincerity of a prayer for forgiveness from an unforgiving disciple.

. He was not teaching that believers earned God’s forgiveness by forgiving others; for this would be contrary to God’s free grace and mercy. However, if we have truly experienced God’s forgiveness, then we will have a readiness to forgive others (; ). Our Lord illustrated this principle in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant ().

Application

Why this extra teaching?

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

If we have truly experienced God’s forgiveness, then we will have a readiness to forgive others (; ). Our Lord illustrated this principle in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (). The point lies not in the time-sequence, but, as vv. 14–15 will explain, in the insincerity of a prayer for forgiveness from an unforgiving disciple.

It is evidence that the grace of God is at work in the forgiving person and that that same grace will bring him forgiveness in due course. Jesus is saying that to fail to forgive others is to demonstrate that one has not felt the saving touch of God.

It is not that the act of forgiving merits an eternal reward, but rather it is evidence that the grace of God is at work in the forgiving person and that that same grace will bring him forgiveness in due course.

Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 149.

Why this extra teaching? Why this appendix? Why not extra teaching on something else?

Jesus is saying that to fail to forgive others is to demonstrate that one has not felt the saving touch of God.

Why this extra teaching? Why this appendix? Why not extra teaching on something else?

Application

Jesus is saying that to fail to forgive others is to demonstrate that one has not felt the saving touch of God.

Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 149.

Why this extra teaching? Why this appendix? Why not extra teaching on something else? Well remember this Prayer is Jesus’s Remedy to guard his disciples from hypocrisy.

Gods’ Glory -The purpose of prayer is to Glorify God’s Name and begins with God’s interests not our. That his kingdom would come, that his will would be done. And what is Gods will? That we love one another. Nothing diminishes Gods Glory when Christians refuse to forgive.

Our needs - Our needs are bound up with God’s Kingdom. God desires to meet our needs. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. (Piper) The chief end of Man is to Glorify God and Enjoy him forever. (Confession) There are harmful consequences to holding and harbouring unforgiveness (Mat 18:21)

A Family Affair - We have seen that true praying is a “family affair” (“Our Father”). If the members of the family are not getting along with one another, how can they claim to have a right relationship with the Father?

The purpose of prayer is to glorify God’s name

re not getting along with one another, how can they claim to have a right relationship with the Father?

We have seen that true praying is a “family affair” (“Our Father”). If the members of the family are not getting along with one another, how can they claim to have a right relationship with the Father?

Effective Prayer - Forgiveness belongs to the matter of fellowship: If I am not in fellowship with God, I cannot pray effectively.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 26.

Forgiveness belongs to the matter of fellowship: If I am not in fellowship with God, I cannot pray effectively

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 26.

Application

Aplication

Jesus’ words - Jesus words are stark, blunt you might say, there is no escaping them. In fact Jesus’s words they back us into a corner.

Our Typical Gut Reactions to the command to Forgive..

I love God, but I just cannot forgive that person! I dont hate them (Response)

The New International Version Chapter 4

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 3:14–15 ESV

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

1 John 3:23 ESV

And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

You dont know what they did? (Response) Your absolutely right. But God does.

To put it all in one comprehensive statement, my full exposition of “I forgive you” might go as follows:

I will only forgive if they say sorry, then I would forgive them.

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .

Forgiveness belongs to the matter of fellowship: If I am not in fellowship with God, I cannot pray effectively

Colossians 3:13 ESV

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 26.

You dont know what they did? (Response) Your absolutely right. But God does.

I will only forgive them if they say they are sorry or demonstrate repentance.

What if you are someone who knows and understands this teaching and you Just can’t forgive. Its painful, you have tried.

Because of your repentance and the fact that the price of your sin has been paid (by God), the effects of your sin against me have been substantially healed, and your repentance has stopped the previously hostile messages to me, your sin can no longer damage me. Since you are taking responsibility for your sin I no longer have to make up distorted reasons why it happened, and that is good for both of us. Finally, our relationship is now different and I agree to treat you in light of this new relationship (p.115).

(Bryan Maier’s book Forgiveness and Justice: A Christian Approach (Kregel, 2017).

To put it all in one comprehensive statement, my full exposition of “I forgive you” might go as follows:

Call to Repentance From Idols And Trust in Jesus

Friends that might sound great if it happens. But thats not always the real world it is not certainly not Christian Forgiveness. I give you the response of Jesus:

Here is what you need to Know -

Forgiving is not always forgetting (Trauma victims) Joseph

Forgiving doesn't mean that you let your guard down to be walked over. (77 times)

Forgiveness is not, harbouring a grudge and holding a persons sins against someone.

Acting out Christian forgiveness is engaging the enemy in Spiritual Combat.

the Devil who would love to keep you a child of God in the bonds and chains of bitterness and unforgiveness. He only has one weapon that he uses to do this, and he uses it to great effect. That is the power of the lie, that obscures God’s revealed truth.

The struggle is real - What if you are someone who knows and understands what the bible says and still you Just can’t forgive. Its painful, you have tried.

You payer tends to be like this. “Lord I know you have forgiven me and that I need to forgive this person but I just can’t, please be patient with me.”

I know what your prayers are and I can speak into this with some authority because I have been there.

“Lord it hurts so much I just cant seem to get what they did out of my head, it was so wrong, unjust”

I know what your prayers are and I can speak into this with some authority because I have been there.

Good News

Lord show them what they did wrong, convict them and get them to repent as then it would be easier for me to forgive them. You know I would forgive them in a heart-beat if they said they were sorry and acknowledged they were wrong

You payer tends to be like this. “Lord I know you have forgiven me and that I need to forgive this person but I just can’t, please be patient with me.”

“Lord it hurts so much I just cant seem to get what they did out of my head, it was so wrong, unjust”

Forgiving is not always forgetting (Trauma victims) Joseph

Forgiving doesn't mean that you let your guard down to be walked over. (77 times)

Forgiveness is not, harbouring a grudge and holding a persons sins against someone.

Acting out Christian forgiveness is engaging in Spiritual warfare.

Acting out Christian forgiveness is engaging the enemy in Spiritual Combat.

Acting out Christian forgiveness is actively engaging the enemy in Spiritual Combat.

Acting out Christian forgeivness is engaging in Spiritual warfare. And in engaging in spiritual warfare the Devil who would love to keep you in the bonds and chains of bitterness and and unforgiveness only has one weapon that he can use, and that is the power of the Lie.

Heres what you need to Do -If you are a child of God who struggles with Forgiveness and prays like that here is what you need to do.

If you are a child of God who struggles with Forgiveness and prays like that here is what you need to do.

Repent - Stop believing the lie that you just cant forgive, and face up to Gods Word. Recognise that you have been deceived and that contrary to what you have been believing God has given you everything you need for life and Godliness,() You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. ()

God has given you everything you need.

You Can do all things through

Reach out. - There are some things that you can’t do alone. Grab a spiritual Friend and tell them of your struggle to forgive and ask them to pray for you and maybe even with you. (Our Father)

Reach out - Stop asking God for help to forgive and If God gives you a weapon use it.

Resolve - Get in the Boat

Seek out a Christian brother whom you know and trust and tell them you are struggling with unforgivness and have them pray for you and with you

Resolve - If God gives you a weapon use it. Sometimes if you wanna walk on water you gotta get out of the boat. Resolve to do. You may not feel like it, dont wait for your heart and emotions to be in the right place. Pray according to Gods will and not your own. Ask the Holy spirit to come and help you do this thing you are fighting against, Remember that you are praying with Jesus. (Lead them in prayer)

Repent

Have I been believing Satans lies and I’ve been blindsided from digesting and believing Gods revealed truth.

Perhaps Ive been praying about forgiving someone and I just havn’t Gotten in the Boat and I need to resolve to confess with the lips and utter the words before God. I forgive....

Perhaps I have failed to be praying about Gods concerns, that gods will would be done on earth as in heaven because my heart is preoccupied with bitterness and another persons indebtedness.

Depending on your context, you may need to make peace with a person, The person may not want your forgiveness, Perhaps for you it may just be a case of letting water go under the bridge, perhaps the person you need to forgive is dead already. Different contexts require different responses.

If you are someone who is struggling with forfivness.

Good News - Jesus loves you

Jesus is Working for your Good. When he asks us to forgive and tells us if we dont neither will our heavenly father forgive us, its about His Glory and your Joy.

Jesus wants your prayer to be Effective prayer He knows what your needs are and what is good for you and desires your prayers to be effective.

Jesus has made Forgiveness possibleJesus really has made the supernatural ability to forgive as God forgives available to you. We will never know how much it cost to see our sin upon the cross and make our forgiveness possible.

Jesus Died for your sins -

Unforgiveness steals your Joy in the gospel and Stunts your spiritual Growth but Jesus really has made the supernatural ability to forgive as God forgives available to you.

What did Jesus forgive? If you are someone who is struggling with forgiveness.

Landing

Soap Only Works When It is Applied (This is an old illustration)

A Soap maker, who was not saved, walked along the road with a preacher one day. He said to the preacher, “The gospel you preach has not done much good. There is still a lot of wickedness in the world, and wicked people, too.” Quietly they walked on. The preacher did not reply to his friend’s comment until they passed a dirty little child making mud pies in the gutter. With this before them, the preacher spoke, “Soap has not done much good; for there is still much dirt in the world, and many dirty people.” “O, well, you know,” said the Soap maker, “soap is only useful when it is applied.” “Exactly,” said the preacher, “so it is with the gospel we proclaim.” (Source Unknown)

Gods Glory

Gods Gospel

And the peace of Gods Children

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