Forgive Everyone Who’s Trying to Ruin Your Life

How to Live Through a Bad Day

(Hebrews 12:2 MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God-- he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

(Luke 23:34) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Lesson #1

Forgive everyone who's 

trying to ruin your life.

(Matthew 24:10 NKJV) And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

(Luke 17:1 NKJV) Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come...”

(Proverbs 18:19) An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

Jesus experienced:

Betrayal.

False accusation.

Rejection.

Abuse.

Humiliation.

(Hebrews 2:17-18 MSG) That’s why he (Jesus) had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.

Pray Father Forgive Them

(1 Peter 4:1 NCV) Since Christ suffered while he was in his body, strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking Christ had.

1. Pray for them.

(Matthew 5:43-44) "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

2. Bless them.

(Luke 6:27-28) But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

(Romans 12:14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

3. Do good to them.

(Romans 12:17-21) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The forgiven forgive.

(Matthew 10:8) ...Freely you have received, freely give.

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable 

because God has forgiven the inexcusable in me.  

When you don't forgive, you limit the power of God in your life.  C.S. Lewis

Forgiveness is not...

1. Minimizing the seriousness of the offense.

2. Reconciliation.

3. Doing what's fair.

4. Impossible to do.  

Philippians 4:13  (NIV)

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

Video 

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/forgive-everyone-whos-trying-to-ruin-your-life

Discussion Guide

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/files/groups/guides/2-26-2017.pdf

All scripture is from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.