FEBRUARY 14, 2021
THE WORD OF FORGIVENESS

Luke 23:33-43

Verse 34 – Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not
know what they are doing.

THE PROBLEM WITH SOCIETY
– We try to bury the past.
Psalm 32 – When I refused to confess my sins, I was weak
and miserable.
– We beat ourselves up.
Psalm 31:10 – Because I was foolish, I’m bent over and
bowed down, I’m sad all day long.
– We try to blame others.
Prov.19:3 – Some people ruin themselves by their own
stupid actions and then blame the Lord.
TRUTHS TO HELP US

1. Forgiveness begins with God.
Verse 34 – “Father.”
Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God.
Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us
in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2. Forgiveness is possible because of Christ.
Verse 34 – “Forgive them.”
Hebrews 4:14 – Therefore since we have a great High Priest
who has gone into heaven, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, let
us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so we
may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.
Isa. 53:12 – He bore the sin of many and made intercession
for the transgressors.

3. Forgiveness is needed by all.
Verse 34 – “They do not know what they are doing.”
II Cor. 5:19 – That God was reconciling the world to Himself
in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.
4. This prayer sets an example for us.
Matt. 5:44 – But I tell you love your enemies.
WHAT JESUS WANTS US TO DO
– Admit our guilt.
Prov. 20:27 – The Lord gave us a mind and a conscience, we
cannot hide from ourselves
I John 1:8 – If we claim to be without sin we deceive
ourselves and the truth is not in us.
– Accept responsibility.
Psalm 51:3 – I recognize my faults. I am conscious of my sin.
James 5:16 – Admit your faults to one another and pray for
each other so that you may be healed.
I John 1:9 – If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find
God utterly reliable. He forgives your sins and makes us
thoroughly clean from all that is evil.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION

– God forgives instantly.
Isa. 55:7 – God is merciful and quick to forgive.
– God forgives completely.
Col. 2:13 – He forgave us all our sins.
– God forgives freely.
Eph. 1:7 – For by the death of Christ, we are set free.