Speak to the mountians (Part 3)

Scriptural Reference: Matthew 17:14-20
When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15"Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."
17"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." 18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

- Before cursing of fig tree
- Starts small

Scriptural Reference: Mark 11:25
25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins

3 Facets of forgiveness:

1. The perspective of God's forgiveness

Scriptural Reference: Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

- forgives as Jesus forgives
- always ready for reconciliation
- refuse to be condemned (after you have done your part)


2. The scriptural and practical aspects of exercising forgiveness

Scriptural reference: Matthew 18:21-22
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times

How to forgive?
- by not taking personal revenge
- ready to be reconciled
- need not return to as original state of relationship

Scriptural reference: Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you,go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

- balance of forgiving

Scriptural reference: Matthew 18:34-35
34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

- not taking revenge
- not going back for more hurts
- ready and open for reconciliation
- not to be bitter

Unforgiveness is like:
1. Taking poison and hopping the other person would die
2. Burning down the whole house just to kill a mouse
3. Taking a fire to own's bosom

Unforgiving personnel:
- Prisoner to the offender
- Powerless spiritually
- Loose the joy of salvation
- Loose faith

3. The divine benefits of forgiveness

- New dimension of freedom and power
- Defeat the devil
- Effectiveness in prayer


2 Steps of recovery

1. Look forward to your bright future
Scriptural reference: Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

2. Speak the word boldly and consistently to shape that future
Scriptural reference: Psalm 119:114
You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.

Sermon taken @Lighthouse Evangelism (preached by Ps Rony)