MERCY (Understanding The Power Of Forgiveness) - Message 3

Series: UNCHAINED (Breaking Free From The Pain, The Power And The Prison Of The Past)

April 17, 2016

Chuck Bernal, Lead Pastor - LifePointe Church - http://pointe.us/

This is the third message in Pastor Chuck Bernal's series, "UNCHAINED" (Breaking Free From The Pain, The Power And The Prison Of The Past). The message is titled, "MERCY - Understanding The Power Of Forgiveness". In this message Pastor Chuck talks about the negative impact of anger, hatred and bitterness in our lives and why it is a "poison". He then encourages us to replace bitterness with forgiveness and show mercy to anyone that has hurt us or wronged us. This message was delivered at LifePointe Church on Sunday, April 17, 2016.

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Episode Notes

BITTERNESS OR MERCY – WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?

MERCY PRINCIPLE 1: You cannot be “________________________________” with God and be “_______________________________” with another person

MERCY PRINCIPLE 2: You cannot ____________________________ the mercy, grace & forgiveness of God if you ____________ to ___________ it to others.

MERCY PRINCIPLE 3: You cannot be truly __________ ____________ as long as you remain in the _____________________ of bitterness, anger and hatred

Bitterness is like drinking rat poison and waiting for the rat to die. (John Otrberg)

BITTERNESS = PIKRIA (GREEK)

Anger or disappointment because of another person, resentment

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Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you . . .(Hebrews 12:15 - NLT)

Banish bitterness, rage and anger, shouting and slander, and any and all malicious thoughts—these are poison. (Ephesians 4:21 - Voice)

By all means don’t brag about being wise and good if you are bitter . . . that is the worst sort of lie. (James 3:14 – LB)

PERSONAL COST: Bitterness is a ______________ and it will always harm you

RELATIONAL COST: Bitterness is a _________ and it will spread to everyone

SPIRITUAL COST: Bitterness is a _______ and it will lead you away from God

Do not seek revenge or hold a grudge against anyone. Instead, love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Leviticus 19:18 – Voice)

You can become bitter or you can become better – it’s your choice.

Showing mercy and granting forgiveness is the key.

FORGIVENESS = CHARIZOMAI (GREEK)

Freely show favor to, to grant pardon, extend kindness, unconditional mercy

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Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

(Ephesians 4:32 – Msg)

Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13 - NLV)

But if anyone has caused harm . . . I encourage you to offer him the grace of forgiveness . . . So instead of continuing to ostracize him, I urge you to demonstrate your love for him once again. (2 Corinthians 2:5-8 – Voice)

Forgiveness is ____________________ how much you’ve been _____________

The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. One servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market. “The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt. “The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’ “The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king. “The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy. (Matthew 18:23-34 – Msg)

Forgiveness is ___________________________ your right to get ___________

Don’t ever say, “I’ll pay them back for what they did to me!” Wait for the Lord. He will make things right. (Proverbs 20:22 – ERV)

Forgiveness is _______________ the process as long as __________________

Peter came up to the Lord and asked, “How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?” Jesus answered: Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! (Matthew 18:21-22 – CEV)

Forgiveness is always ________________________ than your _______________

Wherever sin grew and spread, God’s grace was there in fuller, greater measure. No matter how much sin crept in, there was always more grace. (Romans 5:20 – Voice)