Founding Word

A  Topical  Study
            The need to forgive is something we hear a lot about but very few can explain how it's done. Even our dictionaries run around in circles attempting to define the word forgiveness without any real success. Psychology has built an empire on counseling because of our collective inability to heal from past hurts. Many of us in an attempt to heal through forced forgiveness wind up hurting ourselves even more without really knowing why. From God's perspective, the ability to forgive is dependent upon the blood of Jesus Christ. Without Christ's blood, it is impossible for even the Father to forgive. So if God Himself cannot forgive without the blood, then how can we? The Scriptures indicate that the transfer of our transgressions onto the cross, brought God personal satisfaction. But how? How did the Father receive healing from the blood? And if God Himself cannot heal from his own hurts without the blood of Jesus Christ, then how can we be expected to?

            Satan has done a masterful job of covering up and completely hiding the truth about what it takes for anyone to be able to forgive and heal from past hurts. The key ingredient, the fuel that makes it possible, THE ONLY WAY TO BE ABLE TO FORGIVE ANYONE OF ANYTHING requires the blood of Jesus Christ. Without the blood of Christ, attempting to forgive actually causes us more harm. It's unhealthy both physically and spiritually. Forgiveness is not about the other person, it's not even about the transgression. Forgiveness is about healing from the hurt that a transgression has caused which only the blood of Jesus Christ can heal. But how is the blood applied? How does that work? Folks, I've been studying the Bible since 1995 and it wasn't until THIS VERY YEAR that I learned what I'm about to share with you in this session.

1 Hour 23 Minutes
August 23, 2012

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SESSION NOTES	SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
The Biblical Definition Of Forgiveness & The Secret Ingredient.	Matthew 18:21-22	Matthew 6:5-13	Hebrews 9:22

A Topical Study
The primary reason why forgiveness is such a challenge for most Christians today is because we've been falsely taught that it should always result in reconciliation. But Jesus shows us in Matthew Chapter 18, that this simply is not the case. The most obvious example is the forgiveness of the cross. The Scriptures teach that the blood of Jesus Christ covered the sins of the entire world and yet, not every sinner has been reconciled to God. Why not? Didn't God forgive them? Forgiveness and reconciliation are separate things, they are not the same. While Jesus commands us to be forgiving, he also gives us an example of when it's justifiable for Christians to reject reconciliation. It's surprising to discover that in spite of all we've been told, Christians are given the authority by Jesus Himself to exercise discernment concerning whether or not we should be reconciled with someone who's committed an offense against us.

36 Minutes
February 10, 2012

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SESSION NOTES	SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Forgiveness & Reconciliation Are Separate Things; They Are Not The Same. (a) An Example Of Biblically Justified Unreconciliation. (b) Forgiveness Is A Command, But Doesn't Always Include Reconciliation. (c) Do Christians Have The Right To Judge Each Other?	Matthew 18:15-17	1st John 1:6-7
	1st Corinthians 5:1-11	2nd Corinthians 2:4-11
	2nd Corinthians 7:8-12	Matthew 6:12
	1st John 2:2	John 3:36
	1st Corinthians 2:15	1st Corinthians 15:33

Understanding Biblical Forgiveness

Forgiveness VS Reconciliation