SORRY PO!! (THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS)

Biblical Reference: Luke 17:1; Ephesians 4:31-32 Forgiveness is a spiritual decision to release the person, entity, institution, or group who hurt you, betrayed you from all past hurts and failures, all sense of guilt or loss. PART 1 - “SORRY PO” - WHEN YOU HURT SOMEONE FIVE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF AN APOLOGY: 1.) EXPRESSING REGRET. “I am sorry” A.) Demonstrate sorrow or regret in your actions and words B.) Clarify why you are saying sorry – sorry for what? C.) Don’t justify or give excuses 2.) ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY. “I was wrong” 3.) MAKING RESTITUTION. “What can I do to make it right?” 4.) GENUINELY REPENTING “I’ll try not to do that again” 5.) REQUESTING FORGIVENESS. “Will you please forgive me?” PART 2: “I FORGIVE YOU” – WHEN SOMEONE HURTS YOU HOW UNFORGIVENESS DESTROYS YOUR LIFE It is a prison that torments you It is a disease that afflicts your soul It is a bondage that paralyzes you It is an obstruction that snuffs your spiritual growth It is a poison that destroys your relationships (Matthew 5:7) 1.) FORGIVENESS IS NOT BASE ON FEELINGS 2.) FORGIVENESS IS NOT DEPENDENT ON AN APOLOGY 3.) FORGIVENESS IS A GIFT WE GIVE OURSELVES 4.) FORGIVENESS DOES NOT CHANGE THE PAST BUT IT DOES CHANGE YOUR FUTURE 5.) FORGIVENESS IS A COMMAND WE NEED TO OBEY (Colossians 3:13) 6.) WE FORGIVE SO THAT WE WILL BE FORGIVEN (Mark 11:25) EMBRACING THE “FORGIVENESS” LIFESTYLE: 1.) RELEASING FORGIVENESS (Ecclesiastes 7:9) 2.) ASKING FORGIVENESS (Matthew 5: 23-24) 3.) PRACTICE FORGIVENESS (Luke 17:3-4)