Message: "The Importance of Forgiving One Another"

by Ed Hale
on August 2, 2009

Click arrow to start the video.  Please be patient as video downloads.  Wait time is dependent on the speed of your connection, but usually begins within a few seconds.
 

Why should we resolve conflicts with others?

1. God has called us to make things right with each other.
   2 Corinthians 5:18 (Message)
   ....All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other...
    
2. God has given us the fresh start of telling everyone that He makes things right with people!
   2 Corinthians 5:19 (Message)
   God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing.

What does Jesus say about peace and unity?

1. We should be peacemakers.
   Matthew 5:9 (NLT)
   ⁹ God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
    
2. Peace and unity are more important than money.
   Matthew 5:23-24 (Message)
   ^23-24"This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.

Can we love and worship God if we are at odds with others?
1John 4:19-21 (NLT)
¹⁹ We love each other because he loved us first. ²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? ²¹ And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.

How should we resolve conflict with a brother or sister in Christ?

1. If possible, resolve differences personally.
2. If necessary, use an intermediary.
3. Ask a godly friend to help.

Finding it difficult to forgive others?

• Take another look at the enormous amount of (mistakes) sin for which God has forgiven you.
• Turn to the Bible to remind yourself of God's forgiveness.
• Make a list of some of your (mistakes) sins.
• Take a long look at this list.
• Rejoice in the wonderful promise of Ps. 103:8-11 (NLT)

Psalm 103:8-11 (NLT)
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. ⁹ He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. ¹⁰ He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. ¹¹ For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.