A. Our standing in God’s presence (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; 6:23)
B. God is willing to wipe the slate clean (1 John 1:9)
C. God will “remember them no more” (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12)
II. The condition of God’s forgiveness
A. Repent, acknowledging wrongdoing (Acts 2:38; 8:22; 1 John 1:9)
B. Be faithful (1 John 1:7)
C. We must forgive to be forgiven (Matthew 6:12-15; 18:21-35)
III. The need for self-forgiveness
A. A Christian is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
B. There is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1)
C. Leave the “old man” behind! (Romans 6:3-7; Ephesians 4:20-24)
A. Exuberance due to His forgiveness (Romans 4:5-8)
B. Transgression, sin, iniquity, and deceit
C. Forgiveness is available to the penitent (2 Samul 12:13)
II. The effects of unconfessed sin (Psalm 32:3-5)
A. Suffering is not always caused by sin, but sin always causes suffering
B. Accepting personal responsibility for sin (2 Samuel 12:13)
C. When God forgives, He forgives completely and eternally
III. Encouragement to pray while opportunity exists (Psalm 32:6-7)
A. The godly (1 John 1:5-10)
B. The danger of procrastination
C. God protects, shields, and delivers the penitent
IV. The guidance of God (Psalm 32:8-9)
A. How do we receive instruction from the Lord? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 1:2; 119:72,104-105)
B. Warning: don’t be stubborn as a mule!
V. A call to worship with joy (Psalm 32:10-11)
A. Tremendous mercy is available in God
B. A deep appreciation for what God has done (Romans 5:6-11)
A. “Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21; Amos 1:3,6,9,11,13; Job 33:29-30)
B. Context (Matthew 18:15-17)
C. The spirit of forgiveness is rooted in love (1 Corinthians 13:5)
1. Love “thinks no evil” (NKJV)
2. Love “does not take into account a wrong suffered” (NASB)
3. Love “keeps no records of wrongs” (NIV)
II. GOD’S ENORMOUS GRACE
A. The first part of the parable (Matthew 18:23-27)
B. The compassion and grace that God offers (Psalm 103:8-13; Exodus 34:6-7; Ephesians 1:7-8; Colossians 1:13-14)
III. OUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD EACH OTHER
A. Keep forgiving as long as you have something to forgive (Matthew 18:22)
B. God’s forgiveness is conditional (Matthew 18:28-35; Matthew 6:14-15)
C. Imitate the Lord (Colossians 3:12-13)
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (Acts 8:12)
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