Forgiveness

Weekly Update – March 7th, 2024

Last night during our Biblical Counseling Class, we had a long discussion on forgiveness. In light of that discussion, I wanted to repost an article from one our updates a few years ago on this topic. It is below:

One of the hardest aspects of living in the community of the church is practicing forgiveness.  Someone says a wrong word against us, goes behind our back or tells others something untrue and it hurts us.  On many occasions the advice given to us might be to avoid the person who has wronged us, never trust them again, sit on the opposite side of the church and “warn” others about their sin.  But if we examine the Scriptures, we quickly notice that we can’t live like that.  We must pursue forgiveness with the one who has wronged us.  The part that still confuses many of us is this: what does forgiveness within the church look like?

Paul writing to the Ephesian church is clear in 4:32.  As members of the church we are to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  Colossians 3:12-13 is just as clear, “…as God’s chosen ones….bearing with one another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.”  Then if you continue looking in the New Testament, this issue of forgiveness is to be dealt with privately between the two individuals at odds with one another (Matt 18:15).  But if the issue is not fully dealt with, it becomes a public issue within the church (Matt 18:17; Phil. 4:2).  The bottom line is, forgiveness is a necessary component within the community of God’s people.

The Scriptures may be clear on our need to forgive, but how do we actually do it?  Do we simply say in our hearts, “I forgive everyone who has every wronged me” and then move on?  Or do we refuse to forgive anyone because the pain caused to us is too great?  The helpful phrase used in the above Scriptures on forgiveness tells us that we are to “forgive as God has forgiven us.”  How has God forgiven us?  He has forgiven us fully, completely and forever.  God’s forgiveness then provides us with an example of how we are to forgive, as well as the motivation behind our own forgiveness of others.

Here then is what our forgiveness of others looks like based upon God’s forgiveness of us.  As Ken Sande put it in his book titled The Peacemaker there are four necessary steps involved.  First, when we forgive we promise to no longer consciously dwell or think about the wrong that happened.  Second, we promise to no longer bring the incident up again and use it against the person who wronged us.  Third, we promise not to talk to others about what happened anymore.  Then lastly, we promise to no longer allow the incident to stand between us or hinder us in our personal relationship with the one who wronged us. 

The key point in the forgiveness process that we must remember is that forgiveness is meant to lead to a restored relationship.  Again, consider God’s forgiveness of us.  We don’t merely want forgiveness from our sins to say that we are forgiven.  We want forgiveness because we want a relationship with God.  In a similar vein, we ask for forgiveness or we grant forgiveness because we want a relationship that was once hindered and broken to be restored.  That means, on a very practical note, that we must be active in asking others for forgiveness when we wrong them and we should be prepared to grant forgiveness with others come and ask us for it. 

Forgiveness is a difficult topic to work through in our hearts.  There are some who have hurt us deeply in the past.  Hurtful words may live on in our hearts, just like actions committed against us may be hard to forget.  But in all of this, we must remember that we were wretched sinners who had infinitely offended the holy God of the universe.  Though this was the case, as Romans 5:8 says, even while “we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  God initiated the process of forgiveness with us.  He stands willing to forgive.  We must simply receive it.  This is our focus, but also our motivation.  Let us go and do likewise. 

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"We must obey God rather than men."
- Acts 5:29

Announcements:

Women’s Bible Study: The seasonal ladies’ Bible study began on Tuesday, February 20th. Sessions are offered at 9:30am and 6:30pm. More information and a signup sheet are available on the bulletin board in the hall.

Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.

Prom Dress Giveaway: If you are interested in volunteering with the prom dress giveaway, please contact Amy Blankenship. More info can be found HERE.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over North America who are serving with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). This year, our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $8500. You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Annie.” Or you can give online HERE and choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.

Easter Schedule: There will be many opportunities to connect with us this Easter season. First, join us on Palm Sunday on March 24th at 10:30am. On this Sunday we will have Dr. Alex Granados from Calvary University with us. Second, Maundy Thursday will be on March 28th, at 7:00pm. Lastly, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with us on March 31st. That morning we will have our annual Easter Breakfast at 9:15am with our Worship Service to follow at 10:30am. Also, during passion week (3/25-3/29) there will be short daily devotions posted on Facebook and YouTube. These devotions will aim to highlight some of the events that occurred the week between Palm Sunday and Easter.

Women’s Craft + Brunch: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson Home at 10am on Saturday, March 30th, for a potluck brunch and a time of crafting. Details can be found HERE.

Greeting Team: We are looking for volunteers to serve one week a month on this rotation. If you would like more information, connect with Matthew Klika.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal. We are also in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Contact Betty for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter meets in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.