Finding Freedom Through Forgiveness - Part 3

Introduction

Recap...

4 things to remember about 4giveness

• 4giveness is 4 you
• 4giveness is 4ever
• 4giveness moves you 4ward
• 4giveness leads to 4getfulness

4 benefits of forgiveness

• Emotional benefits
• Relational benefits
• Physical benefits
• Spiritual benefits

This week...

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer

• Resigned after being identified as a client of a prostitution business
• He said sorry
• I'm sure he was sorry – but sorry for what?

Ever heard an apology that left you feeling a little empty?

• More to the point, have YOU ever said spoken an apology that left others feeling a little empty?

That is because there are different reasons people say sorry

• Last week we looked at the varying degrees of 'sorry'
• Kath I'm sorry (ho hum)
• Kath sorry (attitude) still in control
• Kath if you took that the wrong way – I'm sorry
• I apologise if I hurt you in any way

None of the above are overly convincing

Rom 12:18 NIV If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

• Whether people accept your apology or not is not important

Making sure you apology is genuine is all important

• So that YOU can live at peace

To make a genuine apology we need to understand the difference between...

REPENTANCE – REMORSE – REGRET

1. Regret – involves the mind primarily

Sorry I was caught – not sorry I did it

• In other words – if I could do it and get away with it I would

E.g. Hamish and Andy (in light of Eliot Spitzer)

• Phone in if you've ever been 'sorry' only because you were caught
• Bought a new car and didn't tell his wife
• Expelled from school – measuring teachers behind

2. Remorse – involves the emotions

Sorry I feel bad – not sorry I did it

• In other words – If I could do it and not feel bad I would

E.g. Teasing someone

• Sorry I upset you – not sorry I did it (truth is – it was fun)

E.g. Cheating on your wife

• Sorry I hurt you ( I feel bad that I hurt you and the kids) – not sorry I did it
• I enjoyed the moment

E.g. watching pornography

• I feel bad (dirty) not sorry I did it (I enjoy it)

3. Repentance

• Repentance is quite different from the previous two

Repentance includes...

a) Change of mind – I was wrong

• Ownership of your actions (It was my fault not yours)
• Courts today promote – VICTIM MENTALITY
• The devil made me do it – stress, childhood, drugs
• Even suing fast food companies
• While we are still making excuses – there is no repentance

b) Hatred for sin – hating what god hates

• Many have a morbid curiosity for sin

(Psa 119:127-128 NIV) Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, {128} and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

c) Willingness to make things right – I will put it right

• If the WILL is not touched conviction has not gone deep enough

Results of Repentance

Repentance leads to Good Deeds

(Acts 26:20 NIV) First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

(Mat 3:8 NIV) Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

• Where the heart is changed, the life and actions will be changed

Repentance leads to Restitution

• Not just doing the right thing from now on
• But undoing the past – (where you can)

Repentance leads to Truth

(2 Tim 2:25 NIV) Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

• Truth about yourself – life – God

Repentance leads to Life

(Acts 11:18 NIV) When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

• Abundant life is found on the other side of repentance

Repentance leads to Salvation

(2 Cor 7:10 NIV) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Conclusion

(2 Pet 3:9 NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

(Rom 2:4 NIV) Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?