The Book of Acts

 The Book of Acts: Paul's Second Missionary Journey Part 3  

3.    An important _______________.

37 But Paul said to them, "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now they are releasing us secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!" 38 The officers reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. As they escorted them out, they requested that they leave the city. (Ac 16:37–39)
[Jesus said] 24 Therefore I tell you, everything that you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. 26 But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. (Mk 11:24–26)

The Greek word ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) means to _______________ or _______________ someone or something from a place or one's presence.

8 Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8–9)
[Jesus said] 3 Watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." (Lk 17:3–4)
Brothers, if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual should restore such a person in a spirit of humility, carefully watching yourself so that you are not also tempted. (Ga 6:1)
Tim Keller, "Finally we learn that the goal of forgiveness is primarily neither inner healing nor payback to the offender. Certainly forgiveness can bring inner healing and can be part of the pursuit of justice. But the ultimate purpose of forgiveness is the restoration of community. '[Forgiveness's] purpose here is not to humiliate, defeat, or drive out sinners, but to correct and restore them. It is often easier to turn a blind eye to sin in the community. The admonition of fellow believers requires the church to function as a body in the costly work of reconciliation.'"

In Mark 11 "forgive them" means inwardly be willing not to _____________ oneself.

In Luke 17 "forgive them" means to ___________________ to them.

Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the Nations. (Re 15:3b)
Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments. (Re 16:7b)

God is _________. Justice is his very _______________. He cannot act _________________. Injustice _______________ God. Injustice ___________ God's _________________. Injustice ___________ the ___________ of God creation—mankind. Injustice even harms the ___________________. Christian forgiveness never _____________________ the pursuit of justice but _________________ it.

Rachael Denhollander, "I pray you experience the soul-crushing weight of guilt so that you may someday experience true repentance and true forgiveness from God, which you need far more than forgiveness from me, though I extend that to you as well." Rick Pidcock, "The temporal nature of human justice serves as a picture of God's final justice. It presents the abuser an opportunity to come face to face with the reality and severity of his sin. It is a call to the abuser to repent; to side with both God and their victim and condemn the evil they have perpetrated. It is only in this scenario that the possibility of reconstructing a relationship is possible."

It is _________________ to allow a sinner not to face the _______________________ for their sin.

Tim Keller, "This calls for discernment and heart searching. Passion for justice and moral outrage can easily be a function of our ego, a desire to be right and have the high moral ground and feel virtuous, or a desire for revenge against people we do not like. To be morally outraged out of love for God, his creation, people, and even the offender is rare—but required."    

Points to Ponder

1.    What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?  

2.    What did you learn from Mark 11 and Luke 17? Does this change how you deal with forgiveness and reconciliation? If so, how?   

3.    How does knowing that a characteristic of God is that he is just affect the way you will deal with sin?  

Homework: Acts 17