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In this Issue

A STUDY ON FORGIVENESS

In Other News

“Where Oh Where Can We Go”

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A STUDY ON FORGIVENESS

Memory and recollection
Matt 5:23-24; Exodus 22:26-27.
Recollection is the readiness and ability to lay your hand or mind on what is required. We know that it is somewhere in our possession, we recall having seen it, even though sometimes we cannot find it.

At the Table of the Lord there is a moment of quickened recollection as we come before Him.
“When you bring your gift to the Altar, and there remember”?
The Divine searchlight shines brightest at the altar of the Table of the Lord.
Conscience is a keen quickener of our recollections.
What does your brother have against you?
What have you got against your brother?
Have you taken his covering from him?
Then leave your gift.
First be reconciled.
Return to the altar.

Humility is necessary in every approach to God. Nothing humbles near as much as to confess our faults to our brethren.

Truth is necessary in all our dealings with God. Psalm 50: David said, “Thou desirest truth in the inward parts”.
Transparency before God and each other is fundamental to true ‘koinonia’
Sincerity in confession of sin is essential if we are to find peace with God.
How can we be sure our confession is sincere unless it costs us something more than words?

Romans 12:1-3 “Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable spiritual service. Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good well pleasing, and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith”.

THE FOUNTAIN OF FORGIVENESS

The Blood of Jesus
Zechariah 13: 1. “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness”.
No single theme more essential than forgiveness. It begins with an understanding of the power of blood of Jesus.
Matthew 21:43-45
Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them.
Matthew 26: 26-39 Only four days after the triumphant entry; the warmth and fellowship of the upper room. The spectre of political doom hangs over the nation like a dark cloud. In addition spiritual rejection looms as the KOG is about to be taken from them.

“This is My body” looks back from eternity past, to eternity future Psalm 40:6-8.
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Hebrews 10: “A body hast thou prepared me”. This is My blood drink ye all of it.

The cross becomes the fulcrum of everything that He is doing to man, in man, and for man.
Matthew 24:28 New Covenant, testament is sealed in blood, ratified by blood, centred in blood. Under the old covenant covering for sin was made by blood. Although imperfect it was acceptable to God for the time present until?
Evidence of its imperfections was the constant endless cycle of feasts and sacrifices culminating year by year in the great Day of Atonement. Enough blood was shed to maker a river flow.
Had there been a perfect sacrifice there would never have been one more animal slain.
This theme runs right through the book of Hebrews.
From the fall lifeblood must be offered to cover sin; Life for Life. Promise is given in Genesis 3:15.
The covenant is to whosoever will, may come John 1:12. Satan attacks it. Man philosophises about it and says He died as an example. He was a grand role model, but no, He is far more than that.

In the Upper room John 20:23 Jesus established remission of sin; (to send away) He remitted our sins through blood.
In the garden Adam lost his life, and surrendered all his rulership.
Our redeemer also went to a garden, (Gethsemane the wine press) to restore both of these.
Before this can be done, the price must be paid. The payment for this is death.
In Gethsemane He began the process that led to Calvary where the payment of the full price for our redemption was paid. The price paid was death.
Under the old covenant there was a constant remembrance of sin.
Under the new covenant there is continual remembrance of blood. We are to do it “oft”. As oft as you come together remember Me He said. Keep doing it until I come.
There is no way that we can pay and go free.
Promise is given in Gen 3:15 “seed of the woman”.

Precept established where an animal is slain and covering made through death for sin.
First murder over whether to go God’s way or Cain’s.
Matthew 26:39-44 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he comes unto the disciples, and finds them asleep, and said unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Persistence is stubbornness with a purpose.
Hebrews 2:18; 4:15 Then He went to Calvary.
Seven statements of Christ on the cross.
First thing He says, “Father forgive them”
And so a fountain of forgiveness is opened.
Hebrews 10:7 Then He said, 'Behold, I have come; in the volume of the book it is written of me to do your will, O God."
What can wash away my sin?
There’s power in the blood.
There is a fountain filled with blood.
Oh the blood of Jesus….
And can it be…
The Price: Why did it have to be blood?
Because flesh draws its life from blood, and it is you and I in a flesh and blood human body that He wants to save. He has invested His all in humanity. And so He tells us to Drink ye all of it; fully imbibe.
Zech 13:1.Opened in the house of David a fountain for sin and uncleanness.
Blood and water flowed forth from His side. All relationship with God in its introduction and development is typified in blood and water. John 19:34.
Washed cleansed forgiven by blood, borne on by the purposes of God by a stream that flows forth from His word. Psalm 46: 1 John 5:6-8.
Our life begins with an understanding of the power of the blood of Jesus and applying it to ourselves.
In the last days they overcome by the blood of the Lamb. It’s important to understand the power of the blood. Rev 12: 11, 17.

Three things happen when you know the grounds of your relationship.
1. Condemnation can never hold you in its grip. Rom 8:1. Rom 8:31-39.

2. The accusations of Satan stirring up memories, factual as well as false are overcome Col 2:13-15.

3. You can triumph over intimidation. The God couldn’t use me kind 2 Cor 1:1-9.

The blood of Jesus cleanses and makes us worthy vessels to be filled with His Spirit and used by Him.
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Intimidated by what you are not. All that I feel that I’m not; listen to the fact spoken by the prophet.
Isaiah 58:8 then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward, (gather thee up)
Thy health shall spring forth. It all flows from the cross and our understanding of it. Jeremiah 30:17; Jeremiah 33:6 Unto Him that loved us, and bought us with His blood. Worthy is the Lamb who has redeemed us with His blood. Rev 5:9. Whenever you feel intimidated you need to come to the Table and take a drink! Psalm 23:5 A table prepared for me……….

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FORGIVENESS

Romans 1:1-18, 19; 3: 23.
Romans 3:24-28. The principle verse is 28, which declares a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. That statement sparked the Reformation.

The desire of God is to set us free from our inbuilt readiness to receive condemnation, and our striving to work off our sins like a debt in spite of the fact that we have been forgiven.
Trying to commend ourselves.
The basic problem is ignorance of God’s declaration in His word?
The answer to problem:
Understanding the word of God opens the door to freedom.
Conquering the problem.
Confessing the word of God establishes the victory in our lives.
The strength is in the foundation:
Any thing built is only as strong as the foundation it’s built upon.

The word “justified”. In one form or another appears several times in these verses.
(a) Just = true
(b) Justified = acquitted
(c) Justifier = acquitter
Justified is a legal term meaning not guilty.
We don’t have to live under the shadow of God’s disapproval because of the mistakes of the past.
It is a legal term describing the fact that the one accused, the indicted party, the one summoned to trial has been regarded as though he never did anything worthy of the accusation. Forgiven and forgotten. No even more than that; it’s just as though he had never sinned.

What about the future?
God did not lower His standard to receive us, but provided a salvation so mighty that we can stand completely justified in His sight.
He knew and numbered my days.
He knew what I needed.
He is able to keep…….against that day.
He didn’t just erase everything up until the day you got saved – and then afterwards say from now on you’re on your own buddy.
Isaiah 55:8 My thoughts are higher than yours.
This is His clear-cut promise.
We are justified by faith Rom 3:28. By grace 5:1, by blood 5:9, by the resurrection, 4:25.
Romans 3:24-28.
The fountain of our forgiveness is:
Redemption through the Blood.
Redeem = buy back. He bought my soul with His redeeming blood,
Blood = price paid.
Remission = sent away.
Justification = pronouncement made.
God’s declaration = “I declare they never sinned in the first place”.
Colossians 2:14
He built a universe on His word. The Gabble rings out. The pronouncement is declared.
The verdict is not guilty.
If God said it (and He did) I believe it, and that settles it for me.
Here are some prepared portions for conquering condemnation:
Isaiah 55:8.
Rejoice in the clear declarations of total forgiveness.
Jeremiah 31:34.
Hebrews 10: 16-18. Matthew 21:18-22.
What about recurring patterns? 70 x 7.
Psalm 103:10-12.
Destructive ideas:
Isaiah 44:22.
Micah 7:18-19. 1 John 1:9.
John 6: 37.
Romans 8:31-32.
Romans 8:1.
We are slow to come for we think that God doesn’t forget.
You say I can’t understand it. Well there are lots of things I can’t understand. Trinity; the Virgin birth; things made out of nothing.
But we are not whistling in the dark, we are walking in the light. Isaiah “come now” let us reason together. It finally boils down to your words about you, or His words about you.

THE FRUIT OF FORGIVENESS

“Kingdom is like”. Matthew 18:21, 25.
Where ever His Kingdom is in power and in authority it is like this.
We have looked at the “Fountain of forgiveness”, the “Power of His blood” – and the “Foundation of forgiveness” – His justifying word. Hebrews 10:17.
Now let us look at the “Fruit of forgiveness”.
The same forgiving trait from me - that came to me. The forgiven then becoming the forgiver.
Need for B.O.H.S. and fruit of the Spirit.
Hebrews 9:13. Only the power of the Holy Spirit can bring us to this.
What ability Jesus had to go to the cross was received from a supernatural power. “Father forgive them”. Eph 5:11-15 Awake! What the Holy Spirit gave to Him He will give to us.
Peter’s question in Matt 18:
Vs 21 How many times?
Vs 22 Answer.
Vs 23-35 the parable sets forth all the problems connected with an unforgiving spirit.
Matthew 5:23. Let’s identify some of these terms.
(a) Adversary = someone who is offended by us
(b) Agree = come into harmony
(c) Quickly = right now!
(d) King = heavenly Father
(e) 10,000 talents = medium of exchange. $200 million.

This amount is an example of the greatness of the forgiveness of our God. It’s an unpayable debt. How can one man pay such a debt? Psalm 40:12.
This parable is undoubtedly talking about us in our unregenerate state.
Vs 25 Sells everything, wife, and children; it still won’t pay the debt. It shows the effect our indebtedness to God has upon our immediate family. No man sins to himself.

It shows how great a debt we have been forgiven.
Vs 26 he fell at his feet and worshipped; flat on his face.
He asked for patience instead of forgiveness. Just give me time I’ll find a way to work it out.
How ridiculous and arrogant, as he trusted in his own ability to pay the debt, rather than be a repentant sinner seeking mercy. Eph 2:8. How hard it is for some people to admit they are wrong. You can ignore it, you can bury it; you can try and forget it, but it will go on your credit record.
Vs 27 He loosed him and forgave him the debt.
Question is there anyone I need to release, set free, and unbind?
Vs 28 Forgiveness is designed to channel through you not to stop with you. If it stops with you it will poison you.
Vs 26, 29 both begged the same thing. Then the man in Vs 29 at least had a chance of repaying the debt; 100 pence @ penny a day.
But no, Vs30 he threw him into prison where he could never work to pay it off.
Conveniently cut him out of his life.
Comparison, one owed 100 pence, and the other 10,000 talents?
Question Have we put anyone in an impossible situation?
Spirit of rejection Rom 12: 9, 10. Let love be without dissimulation = to feign. Pretend.
To conceal ones real feelings.
We have all done it. And everyone knew that we were doing it, and we still pretended.
Eaten up by Jealousy; mockery and bitterness; grudging, anger, envy, and hatred are all traits of an unforgiving attitude. The human frame cannot carry these traits and remain unaffected physically.
“ For this cause many are weak and sickly.” There’s mental as well as physical strain carrying grudges. We can pay now or later, but we will have to pay.

The table is a feast of forgiveness.
Eph 4: 32. “Be kind hearted to each other, forgiving one another as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you”.
The elder son said “your son” not my brother.
Truly a forgiven person has a tremendous investment place in him.
Vs 32 Wicked servant = malignant, evilly disposed unpropitious, likely to prove fatal.
Vs 34 He lived a miserable existence for the rest of his life, ever harassed by the debt collector.
He spent his life in a prison of his own making.
Like Haman he built his own gallows.
God help us to realise the great pressure we are under when we fail to forgive.
That your prayers be not hindered.
For if I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.

THE FEAST OF FORGIVENESS

Here we see the Feast of forgiveness given by a welcoming Father. Luke 15:20-24.
Luke 15:11-24. Parable of three lost things

(a) Sheep All we like sheep have gone astray
(b) Coin Evidence of inattentiveness
(c) Lost son We need a Father image

Every child of God needs a Father image of God.
You are God’s - tremendous potential. He brings forth after his own kind.
Every parent has a responsibility to reflect God as a Father to his own children.
All the theology children will learn they will see and hear will come from their parents.
Living epistles are never more evident than in the home.
Splintered homes, where children in many cases by law stay with mother. 50 % of homes are broken up or under stress. So children never get an opportunity to live with their father.
I have never been so conscious of this fact than I presently am. Don’t wait until it’s too late?
I am ever conscious of my imperfect manifestation to my children and grandchildren.
If you being evil know how to give good gifts…how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit?
So our best view of Father God is warped, falls well short.
It is no wonder so many withdraw from God because of fear?
God is suspect to many of our offspring. Believers still carry twisted views that make them afraid of God, with no respect for the wisdom of His judgment, and in consequence they will not trust Him.
Many of our homes and church environments do not stimulate the Christ life.

John 17: Father I have declared unto them your name. Philip, show us the Father and shall be enough?
How do you picture God? Jesus said see me and you have seen the Father. We look through dark glasses? An imperfect image.
What do our children see?
He’s not a man that he should lie…….1 John 1: 1-3.
Luke 15: This passage shows us (enables us to understand) He is not a man, yet He has to relate to us as a man to enable us to understand

Vs 20 Has five statements
1. He saw him
2. He had compassion on him
3. He ran to him
4. He fell on his neck
5. He kissed him

He will be a Father to those who turn to Him.
We all need to know this from the eldest saint to the youngest son.
Every one of us needs a clear picture of God in His loving forgiveness and His attitude to us.
Vs 20 are the last 50 metres.
Vs 18 he’s imagining what his father will do when he shows up and how his father will react when He sees him.
But something happened he never dreamed would.
While he was yet a far way off his Father saw him.
There’s negative seeing, and positive seeing, and compassionate seeing.
Matthew 9:35. Jesus weeping at Lazarus tomb; over Jerusalem, and over us.
“ And He had compassion” on this no good pig-pen swill slurping waster.
“ And he ran” What do you do when love comes running toward you?
We don’t know how to respond to love.
Him that comes to me I will in no wise caste out.
“ He fell on him”
Five times we are told to greet one another with a holy kiss.
“ He kissed him” Kata-phileo. Jesus was masculine and He is affectionate. We have girls whose Dad’s have never hugged or kissed them.
I hug and kiss my daughter, and granddaughters, and I hug my sons. Our society has polluted everything that has to do with depth of relationship.
“ Heavenly Father I appreciate you”. Father God.
Make a start today and act.