The Power of Forgiveness

3.17.24 Sermon Notes/Slides

 

When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Genesis 37:4 (NIV)


 

His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hatedhim all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

Genesis 37:8 (NIV)

 

What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Genesis 37:10-11 (NIV)


 

Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.

You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.

Genesis 41:39-40 (NIV)


 

Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.” But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them… Genesis 42:6-9 

 

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:43-44

 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

Ephesians 4:32 


 

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. 

Matt 6:14-15


 

Forgiveness is not forgetting.

 

Forgiveness is not always reconciliation 

 

Forgiveness is not fair.

 

He [God] does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Ps 103:10-12


 

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. 

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

Gen 45:1-3

 

Forgiveness is giving to others what God has given us.


 

If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9


 

Forgiveness is giving to others what God has given us.



 

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 

Genesis 45:3-4

 

And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here… 

Gen 45:5


 

If God does not keep a record of your wrongdoings, you should not keep ‘lists’ of other people’s offenses against you. Love ‘keeps no record of wrongs’ 1 Cor. 13:5

 

Faith enables me to see an opportunity for freedom where others only see an opportunity for an offense.


 

And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 

Gen 45:4-5