Alta Vista Baptist Church
Alta Vista Baptist Church
Sermons

Forgiven Much: How to Forgive

Published

A message from Pastor David Elliott for Sunday May 17th, 2020.

Contents
Video
Audio
Notes
Digging Deeper

Video

The service video is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/AZ6XAHlOdJk :

 

Audio

Either listen to the sermon using the embedded audio player directly below or use the direct link to the mp3 file: https://altavistabaptist.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/20200517_sermon_audio_forgiven_much_how_to_forgive.mp3
 

 

Notes

PDF Sermon Notes

Text: Genesis 45

Age 17
Blessings/Betrayal: coloured coat/sold by brothers (Gen. 37)
Age 17–30
Testing/Integrity: refused to commit adultery/Potiphar (Gen. 39)
Age 30
Influence: second in command in Egypt (Gen. 41:41)
Age 39
Reconnection: does not reveal identity (Gen. 42–44)
Age 40/41
Reconciliation: reveals identity to brothers (Gen. 45)
  1. THE RIGHT _______________
    • Time is often necessary for the offended to work through the _____________. (Genesis 41:46)
    • Time is often necessary for the ____________ to face their ______.
      • Do they show any remorse for their actions?
      • Do they own their actions or avoid/minimize?
      • Is there any evidence of change in their life?

      Genesis 42:19–23, 44:25–34

  2. THE WHOLE ______________
    • Truth about the __________________. (Genesis 34:4, 50:20)

      “We do not excuse the person we forgive; we blame the person we forgive.”
      (Lewis Smedes)

    • Truth about the ______________. (Genesis 45:5, 7, 8, 9)

      “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
      (Gen. 50:19, 20)

      Romans 8:18,26, 28, 30–31,35–38

    • A _______________ TOUCH
      • D________________ (Gen 45:1)
      • Physical __________________
      • V_______________ reassurance (Gen. 45:5)
      • E__________________ release

Digging Deeper

(For personal study, family devotions or Care group)

  • Q1: It has been said that “timing is everything”. Can you think of a time in your life when timing was crucial? If so, explain.
  • Q2: Why do you think Joseph never returned home to his family, even when he had the time and resources to do so?
  • Q3: Read Isaiah 61:1–4. What kinds of restoration work is the Lord able to do? Do any of those apply in your life right now? If so, how?
  • Q4: What kind of biblical counsel would you give someone who is reluctant to reconnect with a person(s) who deeply hurt them?
  • Q5: Sometimes we can be prone to minimize the hurt or offense someone has caused us…especially if it is a family member? Why is this often the case? How could being honest help the healing process?
  • Q6: Read Romans 8. What does this portion of scripture tell us about God’s care when we are in the middle of terrible circumstances? What is God up to in the midst of the mess?
  • Q7: How does bringing the Lord and His resources into your hurtful situation help to bring about healing? What biblical characters illustrate God’s ability to work all things together for good…and for His glory?
  • Q8: Of the four personal touches that Pastor Dave talked about, which one comes most naturally to you? Which one do you need others to pray for God to increase in your life?