Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, May 23, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
JONAH, THE ELDER SON, AND THE BATTLEFIELD OF FORGIVENESS
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Jonah 4:1-11
Text: Jonah 4:9
Jonah 4:9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
Introduction: No person becomes a Christian by forgiving anyone. However, no Christian can be a GOOD Christian if he does not forgive others.
Jonah had two big problems: 1. He wasn’t willing to go where God wanted him to go; and 2. He wasn’t willing to forgive whom God had forgiven.
Many Christians make both mistakes.
PREPARE FOR WAR IN 2004! is our motto for the year.
This morning I want to concentrate on the latter and urge each of us to not lose the battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil on
THE BATTLEFIELD OF FORGIVENESS
You might remember that the elder son in the story of the Prodigal Son had a problem with this. Read Luke 15:11-32 sometime and review it.
We need to practice for this battle. Once you win it, you need to be ready to face it again, and again, and again.
Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
I. FORGIVENESS WILL PROTECT YOU AGAINST SATAN
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
A. Satan is an adversary to you (1 Peter 5:8)
B. Satan is an accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10)
C. Satan has the advantage overyou when you don’t forgive
1. See 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 above
2. Then it’s easier for him to get you to lie, steal from God, etc.
II. FORGIVENESS PRESERVES THE SAINTS
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
A. Bitterness sits and simmers in the heart
B. Bitterness springs up like a weed or vine
1. Without much effort or care as are required by good things like crops, fruit trees, flowers, etc.
C. Bitterness spreads
1. “lest MANY”
D. Bitterness soils
1. “lest many be DEFILED”
III. FORGIVENESS PREVENTS SCHISMS BODY OF CHRIST
Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Forgiveness is an indication:
A. Of holiness (Ephesians 4:1)
1. “walk WORTHY”
B. Of humility (Ephesians 4:2)
C. Of Holy Spirit fulness (Ephesians 4:3)
IV. FORGIVENESS PORTRAYS THE SAVIOR AND HIS SALVATION FOR US
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Christ’s forgiveness
A. Is conditional
1. For salvation – faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
2. For service – confession of sin (1 John 1:9)
B. Is complete
1. For ALL trespasses (Colossians 2:13)
2. Will not impute sin (Romans 4:8)
3. For the believer, not just the unbeliever (1 John 1:9)
C. Is cleansing (1 John 1:9)
1. God told Peter if He cleaned something or someone, it was CLEAN.
2. Acts 10:15 “… what God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |