Who’s on First?

Who’s on First?

FORGIVENESS STARTERS (part 1)

If you are offering your gift at the altar andthere remember that your brother (or sister)

Has something against you,Leave your gift there in front of the altar.First go and be reconciled to your brother,

Then come and offer your gift.Matthew 5:23,24

FIVE “To Dos”•I was wrong•I’m sorry•I’ve already asked God for His forgiveness•Will you please forgive me?•What can I do to restore what has

been lost between us?

It’s Up To You To Make the First Move

But, What about when someone has

offended me?


If your brother (or sister) 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. Matthew 18:15

Who is supposed to make the first move?

It’s still your move!

In both cases it is your move!!

IT’S ALWAYS YOUR MOVE!!!

Let’s Pray


If your brother (or sister) 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. Matthew 18:15

Everything doesn’t have to be BIG DEAL!

Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.

I Peter 4:8 (cf Proverbs 10:12)

Matters that don’t go away:In your anger do not sin.

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

and do not give the devil a foothold.Ephesians 4:26

“Just between the two of you”(Private conversation)

FIVE CONVERSATION ESSENTIALS

1. I’m here because I want things to be

right between us….


2. I want you to know what has happened to hurt me…


3. I’ve asked God to help me…and be in this with us…

PRAYER ON THE WAY:

“Lord, give me the right spirit and words.I want to forgive and have peace with…”

PREVIOUS SECRET PRAYER

“God, I do forgive him/her before you… and ask that you will prepare the way for our meeting by softening his/her heart…

so that he/she will want forgiveness.”* * * * * “And when you pray, if you hold anything

against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in Heaven may

forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

FIVE CONVERSATION ESSENTIALSIf your bro/sister “listens to you”

and responds with repentance: (I was wrong…I’m sorry…Please forgive me)

THEN…4. “I Forgive You”

-The FORGIVENESS PROMISE

The Forgiveness Promise

-thoughts: I will not think about this incident.


-thoughts: I will not think about this incident.-actions: I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you.


-thoughts: I will not think about this incident.-actions: I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you.-words: I will not talk to others about this

incident.



incident.-peace-keeper: I will not allow this incident to

stand between us or hinder our personal relationship.

FIVE CONVERSATION ELEMENTS

5. “If you would like to repair or compensate, here are my restitution suggestions…”

-NOT as a requirement! -NOT a penalty/punishment! -reasonable (wise) means of replacing or restoring what has been lost between us.

“To err is human; to forgive, divine”Alexander Pope

“Bear with each other and forgivewhatever grievances you may have

against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”Colossians 3:13

“Their sin and lawless actsI will remember no more.”

Hebrews 10:17

The Ideal: Meeting half-wayon the bridge over troubled waters

You should always make the first move!

Review

FIVE CONVERSATION ELEMENTS

1. I’m here because I want things to be right between us.

2. I want you to know what has happened to hurt me…

3. I’ve asked God to help me…and be with us 4. I forgive you. (Forgiveness Promise)5. If you would like to repair or compensate,

here are my restitution suggestions:



incident.-peace-keeper: I will not allow this incident to

stand between us or hinder our personal relationship.

In an Ideal World…

Christians should be meeting half-way on the bridge

over troubled waters,

But...

Who’s on First?

You should always make the first move!

Who’s on First?

Documents