Feb. 20, 2022

 The Awesome Power of Vision

“So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”

Romans 14:19 (NASB)

NOT TAKING OFFENSE:

• DOESN’T MEAN YOU SWALLOW THE TRUTH

• DOESN’T MEAN YOU MINIMIZE THE OFFENSE

• DOESN’T MEAN YOU LET SOMEONE KEEP HURTING YOU

• DOESN’T MEAN A DISAGREEMENT OR MISUNDERSTANDING

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”  Ephesians 4:31 (NLT)

HOW DO YOU NOT TAKE AN OFFENSE?

• ASK GOD TO REVEAL THE HURTS IN YOUR HEART

“O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.”   Psalm 139:1 (NLT) 

• ASK GOD TO FORGIVE YOU FOR THE WAYS YOU HAVE OFFENDED OTHERS

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) 

“Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”    Matthew 6:12 (NLT) 

• FORGIVE THE ONE WHO OFFENDED YOU

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”    Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
 

FORGIVENESS OF AN OFFENSE:

• YOU ALWAYS RELEASE IT TO GOD

• YOU SOMETIMES OVERLOOK THE OFFENSE

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”   Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) 

• YOU SOMETIMES POINT OUT THE OFFENSE

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”  Matthew 18:15 (NLT) 

• YOU ALWAYS REFUSE TO TAKE REVENGE

“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the LORD.”  Romans 12:19 (NLT) 

“Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”  Luke 17:4 (NLT) 

• PRAY FOR THE ONE WHO OFFENDED YOU

“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”  Matthew 5:44 (NLT) 

• REMEMBER THAT GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU IS GREATER THAN THEIR OFFENSE 

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

“Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And you are healed because of his wounds.”    1 Peter 2:24 (NCV)

“Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross.”   Ephesians 2:16a (MSG)