to show Foundation Baptist Church if you would like to know everyone should turn
your him knows to song number 20 when I see the blood will be seen a cappella
because all of my musicians for suit me besides our cello is so so let's turn to
song number 20 when I see the blood on the first Christ our Redeemer die on the
cross died for the sinner paid all his due all who receive him need never fear
yes he will pass will pass over you the blood the blood over you of saints
Jesus can say he has promised so he do hear him trust in his word will pass
over you the blood the blood the blood I will pass over you men this car has 10
let Jesus say I will pass will pass the blood blood us love Jesus at power
Jesus is true say from the storm over you with a word of prayer Lord thanks
much for another Sunday to come to worship you I pray that you'll bless the
scene and the preaching just help us have a great Sunday worshiping and and
giving glory to you I pray this in Jesus name amen all right turn your
hymnal to song 159 song 159 blessed be the name song 159 I'm the first all
All praise to him reigns in majesty. Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, blessed be the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord's name, O stand, exalted be the name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord,
For say a friend once through salvation's plan, For thou hast to be the name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord, His name shall be the Consul, The mighty Prince of Peace, Conquerer, whose reign shall never cease,
Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord.
You sing and raise your hand if you need a bulletin, and Asher will bring one to you.
Let's go over the bulletin.
So verse the week is Hebrews 12 verse number 15, "Looking diligently, lest any man fail
of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness bring up trouble you, and thereby many be
defiled."
There's a great verse about dealing with bitterness because everyone has bitter things happening
to them and there's nothing wrong with it, as long as you're not letting the bitterness
spring up and just to the point of sinning.
So let go of bitterness, let go of all the wicked thoughts in your life.
If you want to flip on the inside, we have a social media presence on YouTube, Facebook,
Rumble, and X, so please give us a follow.
We have Sunday morning service at 11, Sunday afternoon service at 4 p.m.
And Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m.
This Wednesday we'll be going over Judges Chat No. 5.
So last Wednesday we talked about Deborah.
So this Wednesday we'll be talking about the song of Deborah and Barak.
Just give me more details about penetrating the temple's execution.
So again, it's a pretty exciting story.
So we have someone in this afternoon at 1.30 p.m.
We'll be going to an indoor apartment, maybe a half-indoor apartment, because the temperature
will be dropping this afternoon and tonight.
So yeah, just stay warm and stay warm throughout the week, because tomorrow will be in the
20s, maybe in the 10s.
So we have Saturday morning song-winning at 10.30 a.m.
And the salvations and last week's attendance is for you to see.
And we are continuing having Sunday afternoon glory crowd.
So if you come back this afternoon, so you can fulfill that prophecy anyway.
Yeah, upcoming events, pie and pray service will take place during the Sunday afternoon service on November 23rd.
That's two Sundays from now. Please bring a pie to share.
Just bring a pie enough for your family so we can share the pies.
And I'll probably ask Brother Matt to bring some raw milk.
So that's the shoe foundation fashion.
So there will be a modified service with a song request, a shorter sermon.
And then we get to having fellowship just to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Christmas service will take place on Sunday, December 21st.
There will be a Pollock right after the morning service.
And then the Christmas Eve service will take place on Wednesday, December 24th.
So many marathons coming up.
Gary's So Many Marathon will be on November 22nd.
This will be the last Gary event of the year.
And then we'll pick up next year.
And then we will finish the year up with the Winter Wonderland So Many Marathon.
We'll meet at the church building at 1 PM.
And then we'll go out, go swimming for three and a half to four hours straight.
And then we'll meet for barbecue afterwards, just like last year.
And then please help us with the cleaning of the church building right after the Sunday
afternoon service.
We also have a men's preaching night during the Sunday afternoon service on November 30.
So if you're planning on preaching, please let me know your sermon topic ahead of time
so I can get you approved and also put you on the list.
So if you want to learn how to lead songs, please, you know, please let me know because
we want to train up more backup song leaders, musicians, please, you know, please let me
know so I can get you situated on that.
You don't have to be an expert singer or like Grammy, you know, winner, you know.
So if you want to know how to be saved or needs to be baptized, please see an actual
myself after service, type in offerings for you to see, please stay faithful in your tithing.
If you flip on the back side, we can see the birthday is coming up in the month of November
and we have a brother Samuel's birthday on the 15th and then the rest is on the following
week.
So that's all the announcement.
Let's sing one more song and then we'll take up the offering.
Turn to song number 263, song 263, Verily, Verily.
All right, on the first, "Oh, what a savior that he died for me."
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
He made me.
No, no, no.
I don't think that's the right tune, right?
Verlinden, could you sing something?
All right, all right, let's ... You know what?
This is a ... I mean, I feel like that one should be easy, but you know, let's turn to
song number 259, Jesus Saves.
That's a more spiritual song, Jesus Saves, okay?
On the first, we have heard the joyful song, Jesus saves, Jesus saves, spread the tidings
all around.
Jesus saves, Jesus saves, bear the news to every land, climb the steeps and cross the
waves on what is our Lord's command.
Jesus saves, Jesus saves, weft it on the rolling tide, Jesus saves, Jesus saves, by His sinners
far and wide.
Jesus saves, Jesus saves, sing the islands of the sea, echo back the ocean caves, earth
shall keep her Jubilee.
Jesus saves, Jesus saves, sing above the battle strife, Jesus saves, Jesus saves, by His death
and endless life.
Jesus saves, Jesus saves, sing it softly through the gloom, when the heart for mercy craves
Sing it triumph, hold the tomb. Jesus saved, Jesus saved. Give the winter mighty voice. Jesus saves, Jesus saves. Let the nations now rejoice. Jesus saved, the saved. Shall salvation full and free.
Highest hills and deepest caves. This our song of victory. Jesus saved, Jesus saved.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on the things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ and God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, and shall ye also appear with him in glory, mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth.
Fornication, unclonest, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry, for which things sake the wrath of God, cometh on the children of disobedience, in which ye also walked some time when ye lived in them.
And now ye also put off all these anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth; lying not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.
And having put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, fond nor free, for Christ is all and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any men have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you ritually in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual psalms, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, given thanks to God and the Father by him.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as is fit unto the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh,
not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance.
For ye serve the Lord Christ, but he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done.
And there is no respect of persons.
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for this church ward.
I just pray God you fill brother Justin with the spirit ward, and you would open our hearts to receive the message ward.
In your name Jesus Christ, number one, amen.
Alright, you are in the book of Colossians chapter number three, going forward to verse number twelve.
Colossians chapter number three, verse number twelve.
The Bible says, "Put down there for as the elect of God, holy and beloved, boughs of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering,
forbearing one another, and forgiving one another.
If any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
The title of the sermon this morning is derived from verse thirteen, "Forgiving one another."
Forgiving one another.
Now, forgiveness is a common attribute that people associate with Christianity, right?
And it's one of the most Christ-like things that Christians can do, yet also one of the hardest.
But if you have different confusions about what the Bible really teaches about forgiveness,
some people think it should be unconditional, some people think it is optional,
others think that it only should be given upon repentance.
So this morning we'll see how God forgives and how we should forgive,
and how real people in the Bible showed forgiveness.
Now turn the Bible to Matthew chapter 9.
Now my inspiration to preach the sermon actually came from Erica Kirk forgiving the killer.
Erica Kirk said this, "That man, that young man, I forgive him.
I forgive him because it was what Christ did and it is what Charlie would do."
Now personally, I don't mean to criticize her for her statement, but we need to take a look at what the Bible says on this subject.
Just a quick disclaimer, we will use biblical terminologies and talk about biblical ideologies concerning this topic.
So let's put aside all the preconceived ideas about forgiveness because we need to be honest about what the Bible says.
Personally, your emotions are not relevant concerning what is true.
So point number one is only God can forgive sins.
Now I think people have different views on forgiveness because there are many layers to the definition of the word.
So let me just give you the definition from Webster 1828.
The first definition of forgiveness is the act of forgiving the pardon of an offender by which he is considered and treated as not guilty.
Here's another definition. The pardon or remission of an offense or crime as the forgiveness of sin or of injuries.
Here's another one. Disposition to pardon, willingness to forgive.
Here's another one. Remission of a debt, fine, or penalty.
So again, willingness to forgive and pardoning a crime are two different meanings.
But people can use the word forgiveness to attribute to both meanings.
So in terms of only God can forgive sins, what I'm talking about is only God can remove the punishment, the judgment of sin, thinking about going to hell.
God can put your sin aside and save you and take you to heaven when you die, because God has took your place, Lord Jesus Christ has taken your place for you.
So Matthew 9, look at verse number one. Matthew 9, verse one.
The Bible says, "And he," talking about Jesus, "entered into a ship and passed over and came into his own city.
And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed.
And Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy, 'Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.'
And behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, 'This man blasphemeth.'"
Okay, so why did the scribes think Jesus Christ was blaspheming?
Because he said, you know, "thy sins be forgiven thee."
Okay, look at verse number four.
"And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, 'Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether it is easier to say, 'Thy sins be forgiven thee,' or to say, 'Arise and walk,'
but that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins,
then saith he to the sick of the pulpit, 'Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.'"
So verse number six is very clear. Jesus Christ was proclaiming his deity, right?
Because the Bible says the son of man, Jesus, has power on earth to forgive sins.
And the Bible is very clear, you know, only God can forgive sins, okay?
Go to Acts chapter 13. Let me read to you Micah chapter 7 verse 18.
"Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity,
and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage?
He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us,
he will subdue our iniquities,
and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depth of the sea."
So when God forgives our sin, he remembers our sin no more,
because in Micah the Bible says God pardoneth sin, right?
He passes by the transgression, right?
And because God delighted in mercy, you know, God is merciful.
That's why when you are saved, God said he will subdue our iniquities,
and God will cast all our sins into the depth of the sea, right?
God forgives, and God remembers no more, okay?
Acts 13, okay, verse 38. Acts 13, verse 38.
The Bible says this, "Be known unto you therefore, men and brethren,
that through this man," talking about the Lord Jesus Christ,
"that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins,
and by him all that believe are justified from all things,
from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
So verse 39 is powerful because the Bible is telling us that
only God can forgive sins, but also you are saved not by the law of Moses,
not by the works of the law, but by those who believe, right?
By the faith, by trusting in Christ fully.
Because salvation itself is forgiveness, right?
God has removed the punishment of your sin, which is hell, right?
God forgive your sin, only God can give you the remission of sins.
Go to Romans chapter 3, Romans chapter 3, Romans chapter 3, look at verse 26, Romans chapter 3, verse 26.
The Bible says this, "To the clear I say, at this time,
his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
So, forgiveness originates with God, not men.
And based on Romans 3, verse 26, God is both just and he is the justifier.
Because God does not forgive by ignoring sin, but by satisfying justice at the cross.
So, forgiveness does not mean ignoring justice, right?
Because God is just, but he is also the justifier.
How does God forgive your sin?
By sending his own son, you know, Jesus Christ went to hell to pay for our sins for us.
And he rose back from the dead three days later, right?
That is just, but he is also the justifier.
So, just because you are forgiven does not mean there will be no punishment.
Someone has to pay for your debt for you or you have to pay for yourself.
Okay? Go to 1 John chapter 2. 1 John chapter number 2.
Look at verse number 12. 1 John chapter 2, verse number 12.
The Bible says in 1 John chapter 2, verse 12.
"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake."
So the first point is only God can forgive sins and it's blasphemous for men to forgive sins.
Such as those priests. That's why we should confess our sins to God alone.
Men cannot forgive your sins. Only God can.
So when we talk about forgiving other people, we are not talking about forgiving their sins
in the sense that they are no longer under God's judgment.
So when we talk about forgiving other people, we are talking about letting go of the resentment,
pardoning personal offenses, and just refusing vengeance.
I'm talking about our heart toward others and not their standing before God.
Because someone can be apologizing to me, that's our personal offenses,
but that person still needs to confess their sins to God for God to forgive their sins.
So again, different layers to the word forgiveness.
So point number one, I talk about only God can forgive sins.
Point number two, God's forgiveness is conditional.
God's forgiveness is conditional.
Now you may not like this point, but we must base our doctrines upon clear scriptures.
So just set aside your emotions and your so-called common sense Christianity
and just surrender to the Bible.
Go to 1 John chapter 1, look at verse number 9.
1 John chapter 1, verse number 9.
The Bible says, "If we confess our sins," that's the condition.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Now you can apply that to salvation, right?
You have to confess. You have to change your mind.
You have to trust in Christ fully in order for God to forgive your sins.
Same thing as a saved Christian, right?
In order to maintain your fellowship with God,
you have to confess your sins to Him and then He will forgive you of your sins.
Otherwise, God will punish you on this earth.
So here's forgiveness is totally conditional.
If we confess our sins, then He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
Go back to Leviticus chapter 4.
Acts 3.19 says, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."
So the forgiveness of your sin is contingent upon repentance and your conversion, right?
Luke 13 verse 3 says, "I tell you nay, but except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish."
If you don't repent, you will die and go to hell, okay?
So here, the forgiveness is totally conditional.
Because God does not forgive unrepentant sinners.
He offers forgiveness to all, but only applies it only when repentance and confession occur, right?
Otherwise, judgment remains, okay?
John 3.36 says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life,
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abided on him."
If you don't believe on Christ for salvation, the wrath of God abides on you
and you will die and go to hell forever.
Okay, so again, forgiveness is conditional.
Leviticus chapter 4, look at verse number 20.
The Bible says, "And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for sin offering.
So shall he do with this, and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiving them."
Now here we are talking about some animal sacrifice that's done away with in Christ.
But we can still learn some application from this, because in the Old Testament they are saved the same way.
They are still saved by calling upon the name of the Lord.
But in order to be right with God relationally, right, personally, they have to offer up animal sacrifices, okay?
So here in verse 20 the Bible says the only way people can be forgiven of their daily trespass is to have to make an atonement first, right?
"And the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them."
Look at verse number 26. The Bible says, "And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings."
"And the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him."
Again, forgiveness is contingent upon the atonement, right, upon your action.
Look at verse number 31, "And he shall take away all the fat thereof as the fat is taken away from all the sacrifice of peace offerings."
"And the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor unto the Lord, and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him."
Again, contingent forgiveness.
Look at verse number 35, "And he shall take away all the fat thereof as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings."
"And the priest shall burn them upon the altar according to the offerings made by fire unto the Lord."
"And the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he had committed, and it shall be forgiven him."
So how many verses do you need to believe this?
I can show you more verses in the book of Leviticus.
It's like all over the place, okay?
But now let's go to 2 Chronicles chapter number 6.
2 Chronicles chapter number 6.
So God's forgiveness is conditional.
You have to repent.
You have to ask for forgiveness first.
2 Chronicles chapter 6.
Look at verse 21.
2 Chronicles chapter 6, verse 21.
The Bible says this.
So people have to ask God for forgiveness.
And when God hears your confession,
then God will forgive us, okay?
Look at verse 24.
Again, a clear condition, right?
And to confess their name and pray to God, okay?
Look at verse number 26.
Look at verse number 28.
If their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land,
whatsoever sore or whatever sickness there be,
then what prayer or what supplication
soever shall be made of any man or of all thy people Israel,
when everyone shall know his own sore and his own grief,
and shall spread forth his hand in this house,
then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place and forgive.
Look at verse 38.
And with all their soul in the land of their captivity,
whether they have carried them captives and prayed toward their land,
which thou givest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen,
and toward the house which I have built for my name,
then hear thou from the heaven, even from thy dwelling place,
their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause,
and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.
Forgiveness is contingent upon repentance.
Now go to 2 Chronicles chapter number 7, look at verse number 14.
This is a famous verse, 2 Chronicles 7 verse 14.
The Bible says, "If my people," here's the condition,
"If my people which I call by my name shall humble themselves,
and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land."
So my question is, what do you do with these verses
if your sense is forgiveness is always unconditional?
You cannot argue against those clear scriptures, okay?
So yes, God wants to forgive your sins.
God wants to forgive our sins.
But the forgiveness only takes place when you repent
and confess your sins for both the unsaved as well as for the saved, okay?
We'll do Luke chapter 17.
Luke chapter 17.
So point number one, only God can forgive sins.
Point number two, God's forgiveness is conditional.
Point number three, our forgiveness should follow the biblical guidelines.
Our forgiveness should follow the biblical guidelines.
Now I think you are not obligated to forgive someone if that person does not repent, okay?
Now, this might not be the best solution in every case.
I will talk more about it later.
But you are not obligated to forgive someone if that person does not repent.
Luke 17, look at verse number three.
Luke 17, verse three.
The Bible says, "Take heed to yourselves. If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."
Conditional, right?
You know, regarding the personal trespass, if someone does not repent, if someone does not ask you for forgiveness, you don't have to forgive that person.
That's what the Bible says.
So to people who say forgiveness is always unconditional, what do you do with this verse?
Now, later I will talk about forgiving people if they don't repent, but we need to address those clear verses first, okay?
So if someone does not ask for forgiveness, you are not obligated to forgive that person, how else do you view this verse?
Again, I will talk more about other verses later, but you should not use other verses to just debunk this verse because the Bible is without contradictions.
People try to argue about Bible doctrine, and they are always using some other verse. Why can't we just talk about the verse at hand?
However, this verse teaches that if someone repents and asks for forgiveness, you have to forgive them. No question asked.
Because if you don't, that will be a sin unto you. Now the question is, what if he is not sincere?
Now in general, you just assume that person is sincere.
In fact, even if he offends you again and again and again, and just asks you for forgiveness over and over and over again, you are supposed to forgive him.
Look at verse number four.
And if he trespasses against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turns again to you saying, "I repent, thou shalt forgive him."
It's not about unlimited forgiveness, right?
If someone repents, you're supposed to forgive that person unlimited amount of times, okay?
Let me read to you Matthew 18, verse 21.
Matthew 18, 21 says this, "Then came Peter to him and said, 'Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I shall forgive him till seven times?'
Jesus said unto him, 'I sin not unto thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven.'"
But I was not saying only forgive four hundred and ninety times, okay?
It's a, you know, it's a figure of speech talking about unlimited amount of times, okay?
Surely after the tenth time, you will think that person is not being sincere, right?
He apologizes and he just keeps offending you over and over again.
Surely after the tenth time, twentieth time, you will think that person is not being sincere.
But the Bible says you should forgive him anyway.
That's the Christian thing to do, okay?
By the way, I think you can ask for forgiveness without acknowledging that you did something wrong.
Because oftentimes, I may be offending someone, but I think what I said is still true, right?
But you can still apologize for offending that person, right?
By the way, when you are asking for forgiveness, you have to feel sorrow, right?
Because the word sorry comes from sorrow.
So even if you think you did nothing wrong, I mean, since your apology is you have to be sorrowful.
Make sense?
Because sometimes the way we do or say certain things may not be proper, even though these things can be true, right?
Sometimes you may not even agree that what you did is wrong, but you know that it offends someone, right?
And you can still say sorry, feel sorrow, and try to reconcile that fellowship.
Maybe say something like, "I'm sorry that you take it this way. This is what I meant. I don't mean to offend you. Can you forgive me?"
So even if you think you are still right on the stuff that you've said, you have to feel sorrow.
Maybe say something like, "I still disagree with you, but I can see why you think it is offensive. I won't do this to you again. Can you forgive me?"
Again, you don't have to agree because we cannot change people's mind that easily, right?
But as long as people keep the peace and people are not offending you again, but even people are offending you over and over again, and if he repents, you're supposed to forgive that person.
Okay, go to Jeremiah chapter 18. Jeremiah chapter number 18.
Now unless that's some super big issue like wicked sins and Matthew 18, then that will be a different process.
But about personal offenses, we just assume that people are being sincere, but a person has to feel sorrow, okay?
And there are some instances that you should not forgive certain people. Jeremiah 18, look at verse number 18.
Jeremiah 18, verse 18. "Then said day," now the day is talking about the man of Judah.
"Then said day, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah. For the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet.
Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.
Shall evil be recompensed for good, for they have digged a pit for my soul? Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.
Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword, and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows, and let their men be put to death.
Let their young men be slain by the sword in battle; let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them, for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.
Yet, Lord, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me; forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger.
Notice, you know, Jeremiah was being pretty, you know, Jeremiah was being a gangster right here, you know.
Let their wives lose their children, let them die, and God, don't forgive their sins.
Because the context is, the man of Judah, obviously not every man in Judah, but you know, in general, people, his own people persecuted him, rewarded him evil for good, and they showed no remorse, they showed no repentance.
By the way, go back to verse number 11, Jeremiah 18, verse number 11, the Bible says this, "Now therefore go to speak to the man of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Behold I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you; return ye now everyone from his evil way, and make your ways of your doings good."
So here, you know, they have been offered a chance to repent, okay? Look at verse number 12, and they said, "There's no hope, but we will walk after our own devices, and we will everyone do the imagination of his evil heart."
So those people are not repentant. That's why later Jeremiah said, "Don't forgive their sins," right? Let them be punished, okay?
So are you obligated to forgive wicked people who don't even repent? No, okay? Now go to Matthew chapter 12.
Matthew chapter 12. We'll look at a lot of Bible this morning. Matthew chapter 12, look at verse 31. Matthew chapter 12, verse 31.
The Bible says this, "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men;
but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men; and whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him;
but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."
By the way, blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is basically saying Jesus Christ is of the devil, if you just read the context.
So the question is, should you forgive someone whom God has given up on? No. Are you more loving than God? Are you more righteous than God?
Now granted, forgiveness here is talking about that they can never be saved. Their sins can never be blocked out about going to hell,
but based on the Bible, the reprobates are past feelings and their conscience is seared, so even if they do show the remorse, that's fake.
They are full of murder. They are full of deceits. Okay, so are you obligated to forgive someone talking about the personal trespass if someone is not being sincere? No, you don't have to forgive that person. Go to Mark chapter number 4. Mark chapter number 4. Look at verse number 10. Mark chapter 4 verse number 10. Mark 4 verse 10. The Bible says, "And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable, and he said unto them, "Onto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom.""
"Onto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables."
"That seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest at any time they should be converted and their sins should be forgiven then."
Notice this passage. The Lord Jesus Christ did not want certain people to hear about the word of God. That's why He was speaking in parables.
He did not want them to be converted and their sins to be forgiven. What do you do with these verses?
Those people who don't want to hear, obviously I think He's addressing to the unbelieving, those wicked Pharisees.
He spoke to them in parables on purpose, and when He was alone with the disciples, He expounded the parables to them.
So the point I'm trying to make is, forgiveness is not always unconditional.
There are certain people that God does not want to forgive.
There are prophets in the Old Testament who have literally prayed that God will not forgive the sins of certain people.
Now go to Colossians chapter 3.
So I said point number 1, only God can forgive sins. Point number 2, God's forgiveness is conditional.
Point number 3, our forgiveness should follow the biblical guidelines.
Point number 4, we must be a forgiving people. We must be a forgiving people.
So even though you are not obligated to forgive someone if he does not repent,
but oftentimes it is to your benefit that you forgive someone without being asked.
Colossians chapter 3, look at verse number 12.
The Bible says, "Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
vows of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, suffering, forbearing one another."
Forbearing means to be patient and to refrain from action or violence.
Forbearing one another and forgiving one another.
If any man have a quarrel, have an argument against any, even as Christ forgive you, so also do ye.
Now, people will use this verse and to teach that forgiveness should be unconditional.
But the Bible says, "Even as Christ forgive you, so also do ye."
Christ forgive us when you ask for forgiveness.
So again, this verse does not contradict Luke if he repents, forgive him.
Go to Ephesians chapter 4.
So it takes repentance to forgive the specific trespass, personal trespass.
But you can still be forgiving. Make sense?
So even if someone does not ask you for the forgiveness, you can still be forgiving yet without airing out that specific trespass.
If you look at chapter 4, look at verse 31.
Ephesians 4, verse 31.
The Bible says, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor," clamor is a great outcry, "noise and evil-speakings be put away from you with all malice."
Just put all evil from you.
"Be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."
This verse also does not teach unconditional forgiveness because even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you, how does God forgive you?
When you repent, when you confess of your sins.
So the point I'm trying to make is you are not obligated to forgive someone if he does not repent.
But, but you don't have to wait for someone to ask you for the forgiveness and then let bitterness and grudge go.
Because we need to release the bitterness and have a heart ready to forgive even before repentance.
Okay, go over to Matthew chapter 5, Matthew chapter 5.
But you get to partake the benefit of the reconciliation when someone asks you for the forgiveness. Because when someone asks you to restore the fellowship, you get to deal with that trespass directly.
But even if that person, but even if that does not happen, you should still treat that person nicely and give him mercy and grace and show your kindness.
Even though that trespass was not reconciled, you can still be forgiving. You can still be nice towards that person.
And if you really feel like you need to air something out, go to that person privately and not spreading it to everyone in the church.
And if you are smart, when people say those things to you, just shut the conversation. If you can't let things go, talk to that person. Matthew 5, look at Matthew 5 verse 23.
The Bible says, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath alt against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
So we should always attempt to work things out with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. So you can either choose to let things go without even addressing it or talk to that person privately, right?
First be reconciled to thy brother. And if it's something really major, then you may follow the Matthew 18 process. And then you can bring the two or three witnesses, you can talk to me if it's something big.
I think the difference between Matthew 5 and Matthew 18 could be the severity of the offense, or Matthew 5 could be talking about people who don't even come to our church, because we cannot Matthew 18 people who don't even come to our church, right?
Not your personal friends, you know. Don't just Matthew 18 your parents, your personal friends, who don't even come to this church, okay?
By the way, go to Matthew 18. Matthew chapter 18.
Now people have different ideas about when to invoke Matthew 18 process. Personally, you know, I don't think that's for something really petty, like, you know, he like, he like look at me wrong.
He's mad at me because he didn't shake my hand, okay? That's like petty stuff, okay?
But Matthew 18 look at verse number 15. Matthew 18 verse number 15, the Bible says,
"Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone and on Facebook."
No, that's not what the Bible says, right?
"Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
That's great, you know? I think every single offense should stop by the first step, you know?
That's the best case scenario, okay? So, by the way, you know, I said before that the person does not have to
think what he did is wrong or what he believed is wrong as long as he acknowledges that he's not going to purposefully
offend you again, okay? By the way, we should not offend people on purpose. That's a carnal attitude because
let me just read to you Romans 14 verse 13. "Let us not therefore judge one another anymore, but judge this
rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. But if thy brother be
great with thy meat, now workest thou not charitably, destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died."
So the Bible is saying that we should try our best not to offend each other, given those things are not
clearly commanded from the Bible. For example, I love Indian food, but if you hate me eating Indian food,
if you are offended, I should not eat Indian food in front of you. Make sense? Because no one in the Bible
says, "Thou shalt eat Indian food." Same thing with video games. If people are offended for you
playing video games, then don't play in front of them. Then don't talk about it in front of them.
But playing video games in and of yourself is not a command nor a sin. So the point is, don't try to
offend people on purpose. And if you happen to do that, try to work things out, don't do that again.
Look at Matthew 18, verse number 16. The Bible says, "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee
one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."
By the way, if you reach this point, talk to me first because I want to be one of the witnesses because
I don't want this to reach step number three because step three is look at verse number 17, "But if he shall neglect to hear them,
tell it unto the church, but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican."
So the first step is talk with him privately. If he does not listen, then bring two or three witnesses.
If he still does not listen, then that person will be brought in front of the church.
I will tell you the matter and he will be church disciplined. He will be kicked out until he apologizes to me.
Make sense? So this is the order.
So you don't have to forgive someone's trespass against you if that person does not repent.
Wouldn't you be forgiving? And if a person repents, you have to forgive.
If you don't, God will punish you. Look at Matthew 18 verse 21.
But for as much as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all."
Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion and loosed him and forgave him the debt.
We should be like the Lord of that servant, who is compassionate, slow to anger, forbearing that servant.
That servant owed him ten thousand pounds of money, and a servant felt that, and the servant was sorrowful.
He clearly expressed his sorrow, and then the Lord just forgave him of his debt.
Look at verse 28.
But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants.
So the servant has another servant, which owned him a hundred pounds, and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me, which thou owest."
And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all."
And he would not, but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellow servant saw what was done, they were very sorry and came and told unto their Lord all that was done.
So the servant was being pretty petty, because his Lord forgave him ten thousand talents.
But he was not even willing to forgive his servant one hundred pence of silver.
Look at verse number 32, "Then his Lord," here the Lord pictures God, "after that he had called him, said unto him,
O thou wicked servant, I forgive thee all that debt, because thou desirest me.
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his Lord was wrought, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
And the point I'm trying to make is, if someone repents you have to forgive, otherwise God will punish you harshly.
Okay? Go back to Matthew chapter 6. Matthew chapter number 6.
Okay, verse number 12. Matthew chapter 6, verse number 12.
Here's an excerpt from the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6, verse 12.
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses."
This is not talking about salvation, because Christ was talking to save people.
On the daily offense, if someone repents, you have to forgive, otherwise God will not forgive you of your sin.
God will punish you on this earth, and that's a wicked attitude.
So my stance is, if someone asks you for forgiveness, you have to forgive them.
What if you ask yourself, "If I forgive, they will just do it again."
Here's the thing, forgiveness does not take away the consequence.
Joseph forgave his brothers, but Joseph still tested them first.
Because true forgiveness is not really foolishness, because true forgiveness is simply obedient and trusting in God.
Because once you have tried to work things out or simply let things go, your conscience is clear before God.
It's the elder person's job to forgive you and let go their bitterness.
So it never hurts for you to try to make things right, because it only benefits you.
Even if that person never accepts your apology, that's his problem, right?
You do what is right and just leave the rest to God.
Even if they don't ask you for repentance, just don't hold a grudge, don't hold a bitterness.
Even though that trespass was not being reconciled.
Go to Hebrews chapter 12.
So personally, I don't think Erica should forgive what a murderer had done,
but I do think that she is right for letting go of her bitterness.
Even though that trespass, even though that murder was not reconciled until judgment was made,
but she can still let go of her bitterness.
She can still move on with her life without living her life in misery.
That's what I'm saying.
You don't have to forgive, but be forgiving.
Let go of the grudge and just move on with your life.
Even though it's hard, but that's the right thing for us to do.
Forgiveness without being asked does not mean reconciliation.
Forgiveness without being asked simply means releasing resentment and leave it to God.
To me, that's the best place to be.
People chapter 12, look at verse number 15. The Bible says, "Lord King, diligently, lest any man fall of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."
Like I said during the verse of the week, nothing wrong with having bitter things happening to you.
We all do, right? People do terrible things to us, but don't let that root spring up.
Don't let bitterness take root for you to take the vengeance into your own hand, for you to say things, do things that you're not supposed to do.
Because the Bible says if you let your bitterness spring up, it will trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
It will hurt you and people around you. That's why, you know, just let things go, even though that specific trespass was not being addressed.
Romans chapter 12. Here's another good reason to be forgiving without being asked.
Because oftentimes people don't even know that they have offended you.
So if you choose to only forgive someone or to treat someone nicely, if you ask for forgiveness, that may never happen, right?
That's why sometimes it's best just to let it go.
Not every wrong needs confrontation. Some people offend us unknowingly.
So for the sake of peace and for the sake of unity in the local church, sometimes it's better to just let things go.
Unless it's for some big offenses, major sins, okay?
And a mature Christian knows which battles to fight and which ones to forbear.
I mean, especially in marriage, right? Two people live together and conflicts and the offenses are just inevitable.
So if you have to wait for the apology of the other people, then you will have a miserable marriage.
Always have a forgiving heart and just let things go and just never hold a grudge against your spouse, okay?
Proverbs 19 verse 11 says, "The discretion of a man deferred his anger and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."
Romans 12, look at verse number 17.
The Bible says, "Recompense to no man evil for evil, provide things honest inside of all men.
If it be possible, as much as light in you, live peaceably with all men."
Look at verse number 19, "Dear beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath.
For it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.'"
So even if peace is not possible, leave it to God.
You have done what you could do, then just leave the rest to God.
Don't take the matter into your own hands.
By the way, that's why Apostle Paul was talking about people suing each other.
1 Corinthians 6 verse number 7 says,
"Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you,
because ye go to law one with another, why do ye not rather take wrong?"
Sometimes when people do us wrong, hey, just take it.
Don't go to the wicked judge, just take wrong.
Why do ye not rather take wrong?
Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
That's the priestly attitude, turn the other cheek.
So go to Genesis chapter 13.
So I said point number one, only God can forgive sins.
Point number two, God's forgiveness is conditional.
Point number three, our forgiveness should follow the biblical guidelines.
Point number four, we must be a forgiving people.
Lastly, point number five.
Let me show you some biblical examples of forgiveness.
Genesis 13, look at verse number seven.
Genesis 13, verse number seven.
And there was a strife.
There was a conflict between the herdsmen of Abram, Abraham's cattle,
and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle,
and the Canaanites and the Parasites dwelt then in the land.
And Abram said unto Lot, "Let there be no strife."
And so Abram was a peacemaker.
"I pray thee between me and thee,
and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen,
for we be brethren.
Is not the whole land before thee?
Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me.
If thou wilt take the left hand,
then I will go to the right;
or if thou wilt depart to the right hand,
then I will go to the left."
So they had a strife.
But Abraham offered Lot to choose first, right?
Which land are you going to choose?
And Lot chose the best land
and separated himself from Abraham.
But Abraham could have resented him.
Abraham could have shown bitterness toward him.
But go to Genesis chapter 14.
Look at verse number 14.
Genesis 14, verse 14.
The Bible says,
"And when Abraham heard that his brother,"
talking about Lot,
"was taken captive,
he armed his trans-servants,
born in his own house, 318,
and pursued them unto them.
And he divided himself against them,
he and his servants, by night,
and smote them,
and pursued them unto Hoba,"
which is on the left hand of Damascus.
"And he brought back all the goods,
and also brought again his brother Lot,
and his goods,
and the women also, and the people."
This is forgiveness in action.
They had to strive, they separated,
but when Lot was in need,
Abraham still fight for him, right?
There's no bitterness, only goodwill.
So if your brothers and sisters in Christ
do you wrong, you treat him good, right?
Even though that trespass was not being addressed,
we can still be nice, right?
Help them when they are in need, pray for them,
and maybe even risk your life liking Abraham,
just help them fight their battles.
And this is biblical Christianity, okay?
Go to 2 Samuel chapter 1.
2 Samuel chapter number 1.
Think about what Joseph did to his brothers.
You know, his brothers literally human trafficking, right?
That's a pretty terrible, terrible offense.
But when they repent, Joseph forgave them, right?
But Joseph did test their repentance first.
But once they humbled themselves,
he forgave them and just comforted them, okay?
This means no matter how bad the offense is,
if people are truly sincere, you have to forgive them, okay?
And Saul hunted David, you know, for a long time.
Yet David refused to harm the Lord's anointed.
David spared Saul, and he said,
"The Lord judged between me and thee."
Right? So David was leaving the rest to God.
David released vengeance to God.
Because even after Saul's death, David mourned for him.
Would you mourn for your personal enemy?
I mean, that's a pretty, you know...
I mean, that's a hard thing to do, but we should be like David.
In 2 Samuel chapter 1, look at verse number 11.
This is after Saul's death, 2 Samuel chapter 1, verse 11.
Then David took hold on his clothes and rent them.
And likewise, all the men that were with him,
and they mourned and wept and fasted until eve
for Saul and for Jonathan his son,
and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel,
because they had fallen by the sword.
So I think David really loves Saul.
Even though Saul has done him much evil, right?
Literally trying to kill you, okay?
Don't you just hate that your father-in-law tried to kill you?
I mean, that's a pretty bad thing to do.
David was forgiving.
David was broken for Saul's death.
David's forgiveness did not mean that trust was reconciled, right?
It didn't mean that, but his heart was clean before God.
David allowed God to take over the business, okay?
He was doing what was right.
He chose not to be bitter, and he chose to do good towards Saul.
Go to Luke chapter 23, look at verse 34.
Here's what Jesus Christ said on the cross, Luke 23 verse 34.
The Bible says, "Then said Jesus, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, and they parted his raiment and cast lots.'"
Now, this can be a challenging verse for someone to interpret.
But I believe they do know that they were crucifying Jesus of Nazareth.
What they don't know is they were crucifying Jesus the Messiah, Jesus God in the flesh.
So why did Jesus Christ say that?
This was not automatic forgiveness because people will take this and say, "Jesus Christ, forgive them unconditionally."
This was not automatic forgiveness.
It was a prayer of intercession.
Jesus was praying to God for God to forgive them because forgiveness is only applied when they repented.
And when did that happen?
Let me read to you, actually go to Acts chapter 2.
Go to Acts chapter 2.
This is powerful because if you look at Acts chapter 2, let me read to you 1 Corinthians chapter 2, verse number 6.
1 Corinthians chapter 2, verse number 6.
The Bible says, "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom of this world, nor the princes of this world, that come to naught.
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery," no that's a wrong verse, verse number 8, "which none of the princes of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
So what didn't they know is that Jesus Christ, He is Lord.
So you're in Acts chapter 2, look at verse 36, Acts 2 verse 36.
The Bible says, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
I think it's pointing back to the statement of Christ, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
Those are the people who crucified Christ, "whom ye have crucified," but look at verse number 37,
"Now when they heard this, they will prick in their heart and say unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles,
'Man, brethren, what shall we do?' Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, be saved first, and be baptized,
after you are saved, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins.
Why should you get baptized? Because your sins are already being forgiven, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'"
These were the same people where the Bible says they have crucified the Lord Jesus Christ.
So many Jews got saved, okay? That's why, you know, when Jesus Christ said, "Father, forgive them," that's not automatic.
That's a prayer to God, you know, because Jesus Christ wants God to be patient on them,
because eventually, maybe, you know, I think Jesus Christ knew during the Pentecost, many of those people will be saved,
and Father only forgave them when they repented, okay?
So I think this verse is powerful because this verse shows that Jesus Christ, He is ready to forgive.
Also, it shows His intention for sinners who acted through ignorance, okay?
Also shows His long-suffering before bringing out the judgment, okay?
Go to Acts chapter 7, Acts chapter number 7. See, because of the statement,
nowhere says Jesus Christ was forgiving them. He was praying to God, right?
And that forgiveness was only applied in Acts chapter number 2.
Acts chapter 7, look at verse 54, Acts chapter 7, verse 54.
"When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed out on him with their teeth.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven,
and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said,
'Behold, I see the heavens open, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.'
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.'"
Look at verse number 58.
"And cast him out of the city, and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul."
Saul later, you know, was renamed to Apostle Paul, right?
So Saul was at Stephen's death.
Look at verse number 59.
"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'
And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, 'Lord, lay now their sin to their charge.'
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
And Stephen did not forgive them unconditionally.
Like Jesus Christ, he was praying to God.
Stephen prayed for God's mercy, leaving the judgment to him.
I believe Apostle Paul was saved partially because of this.
He saw Christian forgiveness in action.
He saw the forgiving heart of Stephen,
because Saul was in the midst of the stoning of Stephen.
And Stephen prayed that prayer,
lay now their sin to their charge, and Paul got saved."
So Stephen was asking God not to immediately punish those people,
but just simply giving them space to repent.
That is, being forgiving without forgiving the exact trespass.
Okay? I think that's pretty powerful.
Go forward to Psalm 86, the last passage, Psalm 86.
So I'll say point number one, "Only God can forgive sins."
Point number two, "God's forgiveness is conditional."
Point number three, "Our forgiveness should follow the biblical guidelines."
Point number four, "We must be a forgiving people."
Point number five, "Biblical examples of forgiveness."
So what's the point of the sermon?
God forgives the repentant, and we must do the same.
But also, we can let go of personal offenses even when others don't ask.
And it will only benefit you because it will give you peace,
freedom from bitterness, answered prayers, and just unity in the local body, in the local church.
Abraham, Joseph, David, Stephen, and just above all, Jesus all showed a forgiving heart that trusted in God's justice.
Because true forgiveness is not weakness, right?
True forgiveness is strength, mercy, and more importantly, have faith in the Word of God.
So if you are not saved, hey, ask God to save you.
Acknowledge that you are a sinner, call upon His name, and God will forgive you of all of your sins and take you to heaven.
But if you are saved, examine your heart. Are you harboring bitterness?
Are you letting the root of bitterness to spring up, right?
If you can't let it go, just deal with that person privately.
If you have unconfessed sins, hey, talk to God, and God will forgive you because His mercy is infinite.
But most importantly, hey, be like Abraham, be like Joseph, be like David, be like Jesus.
Forgive and forbear, because this is the Christian love, right?
Psalm 86, look at verse number five, "For thou, Lord, are good," notice this phrase, "and ready to forgive."
So God is forgiving, "and plenteous in mercy upon all them that call upon thee."
So God is ready to forgive, and we should be that way as well.
Be ready to forgive, always have a forgiving heart.
Let's close in with a prayer. Thank you all for your work.
Lord, I pray that we will be a forgiving church, that we will leave the vengeance to you.
Lord, I pray for the health of the local body.
Lord, I pray that we will show the Christian love towards other people so more people can be saved.
And I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Let's sing one more song. Go to song number three.
I think it's a fitting song. "Jesus Paid It All."
He is both just and the justifier.
Song number three, "Jesus Paid It All."
Alright, on the first.
Song number four, "Jesus Paid It All."
You are dismissed.
We have someone at 1.30 and then we have afternoon service at 4 p.m.
So come back this afternoon and you are free to leave.