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Why Forgiveness?

September 16, 2012 in Forgiveness, Tampa Church with 1 Comment

Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts that we receive from our heavenly Father.  To think that He sent His son Jesus Christ to live on this earth, die and raise from the dead so that I could be forgiven and establish an everlasting relationship with Him is so amazing.  To be honest- it’s hard to believe God would love me that much!  Yet, many Christians are kept on the sidelines because of this missing element in their lives- forgiveness.

Many are limping through life because they have been wounded by another persons actions and they can’t forgive them because it would let them off the hook.  I do not minimize your wound and yet I know God wants to heal you.  This healing begins to happen when you choose to forgive the one who wounded you as difficult as that seems.  I have talked to so many people whose wound was unfathomable.  Some experienced abandonment, rape, abuse and other horrible acts of evil.  Yet, I hear stories of restoration only when the victim chooses to forgive their aggressor.  Many times I also encourage people to get help navigating the healing process by visiting a Christian counselor.  If you need a recommendation for a counselor- please contact me.  Here are some links that may help you understand God’s plan and process for forgiving.

Some people struggle with believing they are forgiven by God.  Their acts were so evil or vile they believe they can never be forgiven.  Here are some links that may help.

This link is for a Bible Study on forgiveness.

If you missed this past Sunday here is the link where the message will be uploaded as well as previous messages [click the pic]

 

 

Forgiveness …

January 17, 2011 in Forgiveness with Comments Off

This weekend we talked about Forgiveness. We talked about what it was and how we are forgiven. The question always comes up, “what is the right response- how do we show true repentance”. I mentioned this verse:
2 Corinthians 7:10
10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
Jesus had appointed 12 disciples and two of them failed Him in a huge way.
Judas brought a crowd of men “armed with swords and clubs” and kissed Jesus on the cheek- so they could take the right man. Later as Judas realizes what he has done the Bible says he was “filled with remorse” and then he went out and hung himself (committing suicide). Was that repentance?
We also have Peter who denies he even knows Jesus and curses out the people around him. Later we find Jesus in a post resurrection conversation with Peter. Three times Peter affirms his love for Jesus (because of 3 denials?) and Jesus gives him a task. Peter’s repentance leads him back to Jesus and God’s plan for his life.
These two men had huge failure yet only one really repented in the way described in the verse above. Does that mean Judas went to Hell? I don’t know Judas’ heart – only God does. I do believe it is wrong to commit suicide but I do not believe the sin is unforgivable.
When you repent of sin… How does it work? Remember repentance is the change of your mind- the change of direction is the fruit of repentance.


Since today is a day we celebrate Martin Luther King’s legacy- here are some of my favorite King quotes:

  • A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live.
  • Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.
  • I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
  • The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
  • Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love

Okay we could fill the page with his quotes- what is your favorite?
Finally- we had a problem with video this weekend it should be up later in the week- but if you want to hear it- here is the audio.

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It always costs you more…

April 14, 2010 in church at the bay, churches tampa, Forgiveness, hal mayer, pastor hal mayer, Tampa Church with Comments Off


Here is a tough truth- Forgiveness always costs the forgiver more. We can try to avoid the cost, minimize the cost and even deny it. But, when we choose to forgive we will always pay the bigger price… You don’t have to look far in scripture to discover this truth. Who paid the bigger price to forgive you? Was it you or God? Forgiveness is much easier to write than to live out. In fact, in over 30 years of ministry and talking with people- one issue stands above the rest- Forgiveness. I am asked often or told:

  • Do I have to forgive?
  • I don’t think I can forgive, do you know what they did?
  • They need to pay me back first.
  • Why forgive? They did it on purpose.

Forgiveness does not minimize the hurt you have experienced, it is real. Nor would I try to say- “Well, if you just understood them better you might be able to forgive them.” Forgiveness operates on a different level. Jesus said this:

  • But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. Mark 11:25

The Apostle Paul says this:

  • (31) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. (32) Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32


A simple definition I like is- Forgiveness is deciding they don’t owe me anymore. So this weekend we will talk about forgiveness- what it is and what it is not and how to get there. Do you have a wound or hurt that you cannot seem to release and is causing you to miss God’s best? Make your plans- you want to hear this message…
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