“The Power of Words”
Part 3 Of A Lenten Message Series Entitled “A Journey of Stones”
The BIG Idea:
The words we speak really do matter. The choice to forgive matters as well. We forgive by relinquishing our right to get even, but responding to evil with good, by repeating these steps as long as necessary, and by rescuing others with the Good News of forgiveness.
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the Temple, and all the people were coming to Him, and He sat down and began to teach them. The Scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, the very act. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do you say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” - John 8:1-12 (NASB)
What Is Forgiveness?
- There must be a genuine repentance. (‘I Was Wrong.’)
- There must be restitution. (Damages Must Be Repaired/Replaced)
- There must be a rebuilding of trust because trust has been broken.
Why must I forgive?
“Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” - Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
“God forgave all of our sins. He cancelled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross.” - Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT)
“You are only hurting yourself with your anger.” - Job 18:4 (TEV)
“To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish and senseless thing to do. -Job 5:2 (TEV)
Job 21:23-25 goes into more detail about living and dying with bitter hearts.
The most influential person in your life is the one you refuse to forgive.
How do I forgive?
“ . . .Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said He will repay those who deserve it.” - Romans 12:19 (LB)
“ . . . Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” - Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
“Peter asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? ‘No,’ Jesus replied. ‘Seventy times seven!’” - Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)
“Through Christ, God made peace between us and Himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him. God was in Christ, making peace between the world and Himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And He gave us the message of peace. So we have been sent to speak for Christ!” II Corinthians 5:18-20 (NCV)
Questions for Reflection:
Do you feel forgiven?
What grudge are you holding that the stone represents?
Who do you need to forgive?
Are you willing to share and accept forgiveness from others?
Are you willing to surrender your stone today and experience the freedom Christ offers when we choose to forgive?
What would your pyramid of priorities look like today and how would you place the order of your priorities?
Have you ever rejected Jesus as the Cornerstone of your life?
What will you choose to do with your stone today?
The words we speak really do matter. The choice to forgive matters as well. We forgive by relinquishing our right to get even, but responding to evil with good, by repeating these steps as long as necessary, and by rescuing others with the Good News of forgiveness.
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the Temple, and all the people were coming to Him, and He sat down and began to teach them. The Scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, the very act. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do you say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” - John 8:1-12 (NASB)
What Is Forgiveness?
- Forgiveness isn’t conditional.
- Forgiveness isn’t minimizing the seriousness of the offense.
- Forgiveness isn’t resuming a relationship without changes.
- There must be a genuine repentance. (‘I Was Wrong.’)
- There must be restitution. (Damages Must Be Repaired/Replaced)
- There must be a rebuilding of trust because trust has been broken.
- Forgiveness isn’t forgetting what happened.
- Forgiveness isn’t my right when I wasn’t the one who was hurt.
Why must I forgive?
- Jesus has forgiven me.
“Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” - Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
“God forgave all of our sins. He cancelled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross.” - Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT)
- Resentment controls us.
“You are only hurting yourself with your anger.” - Job 18:4 (TEV)
“To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish and senseless thing to do. -Job 5:2 (TEV)
Job 21:23-25 goes into more detail about living and dying with bitter hearts.
The most influential person in your life is the one you refuse to forgive.
How do I forgive?
- Relinquish your right to get even.
“ . . .Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said He will repay those who deserve it.” - Romans 12:19 (LB)
- Respond to evil with good and righteousness.
“ . . . Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” - Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
- Repeat these steps as long as necessary.
“Peter asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? ‘No,’ Jesus replied. ‘Seventy times seven!’” - Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)
- Rescue others with the Good News of forgiveness.
“Through Christ, God made peace between us and Himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him. God was in Christ, making peace between the world and Himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And He gave us the message of peace. So we have been sent to speak for Christ!” II Corinthians 5:18-20 (NCV)
Questions for Reflection:
Do you feel forgiven?
What grudge are you holding that the stone represents?
Who do you need to forgive?
Are you willing to share and accept forgiveness from others?
Are you willing to surrender your stone today and experience the freedom Christ offers when we choose to forgive?
What would your pyramid of priorities look like today and how would you place the order of your priorities?
Have you ever rejected Jesus as the Cornerstone of your life?
What will you choose to do with your stone today?