I AM FORGIVEN

EPHESIANS 4:25-3225 No more lying, then! Each of you musttell the truth to the other believer,because we are all members together inthe body of Christ.

26 If you become angry, do not let youranger lead you into sin, and do not stayangry all day.

EPHESIANS 4:25-32

27 Don't give the devil a chance.28 If you used to rob, you must stoprobbing and start working, in order toearn an honest living for yourself and tobe able to help the poor.

EPHESIANS 4:25-3229 Do not use harmful words, but onlyhelpful words, the kind that build up andprovide what is needed, so that what yousay will do good to those who hear you.30 And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad;for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership onyou, a guarantee that the Day will comewhen God will set you free.

EPHESIANS 4:25-3231 Get rid of all bitterness, passion, andanger. No more shouting or insults, nomore hateful feelings of any sort.32 Instead, be kind and tender-hearted toone another, and forgive one another, asGod has forgiven you through Christ.

THE STORY OF NAOMI(RUTH 1:1-22)

Elimelech – My GOD is king.

Mahlon – (Machlon) “Invalid”

Chilion – (Kilion) “Failing”

Naomi – “Pleasantness / Sweet”

Naomi becomes Mara.

Mara means “BITTER”.

Are you Mara?In your past, have you had a season

of Mara?Are there people that you’re in

relationship with who are Mara?

Ephesians 4:25–32It’s where we find ourselves today,

dealing with this topic“I AM FORGIVEN”.

It deals with forgiveness andbitterness.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BITTER PEOPLE:

1. Bitter people are archeologists.

•Always digging up the past

•They will continually revisit painful circumstances from their past.

•They can’t move on.

•They always return back.

•They’re stuck.

2. Bitter people do keep a record of wrongs.

•They will revisit, rethink and recollect certain circumstances and situations, not always accurately, because bitter people sometimes lack a truthful perspective.

3. Bitter people are triggered less by the offense and more by their love for the offender.

4. Bitter people are prone to be

self-righteous since they are the perceived victim.

5. Bitter people tend to place themselves on throne, where theyrule and reign like judges, and they pass verdicts on people who have done wrong.

SIX COMMANDS FOR BITTER BELIEVERS:

1. WATCH YOUR

GOSSIP.

EPHESIANS 4:25

25 No more lying, then! Each of you musttell the truth to the other believer,because we are all members together inthe body of Christ.

Gossip is when we talk about people; we don’t talk with them.

That’s gossip.

2. WATCH YOUR

EMOTIONS.

EPHESIANS 4:26

26 If you become angry, do not let youranger lead you into sin, and do not stayangry all day.

God gets angry. Jesus gets angry.

He never sinned, but He got angry.

3. WATCH YOUR

CLOCK.

EPHESIANS 4:26

26 If you become angry, do not let youranger lead you into sin, and do not stayangry all day.

4. WATCH YOUR

ENEMY.

EPHESIANS 4:27

27 Don't give the devil a chance.

5. WATCH YOUR

HANDS.

EPHESIANS 4:28

28 If you used to rob, you must stoprobbing and start working, in order toearn an honest living for yourself and tobe able to help the poor.

“Watch your hands.” Do something constructive, not destructive. Do something that

helps others, doesn’t harm others.

6. WATCH YOUR

MOUTH.

EPHESIANS 4:2929 Do not use harmful words, but onlyhelpful words, the kind that build up andprovide what is needed, so that what yousay will do good to those who hear you.

THE CYCLE OF BITTERNESS

EPHESIANS 4:31

31 Get rid of all bitterness, passion, andanger. No more shouting or insults, nomore hateful feelings of any sort.

DIG UP THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

HEBREWS 12:15

15 Guard against turning back from thegrace of God. Let no one become like abitter plant that grows up and causesmany troubles with its poison.

CONCLUSION

“Be on fire by the Holy Spirit, but

do not be on fire in bitterness.”

FORGIVEN PEOPLE FORGIVE.

EPHESIANS 4:30

30 And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad;for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership onyou, a guarantee that the Day will comewhen God will set you free.

EPHESIANS 4:32

32 Instead, be kind and tender-hearted toone another, and forgive one another, asGod has forgiven you through Christ.

SEVEN THINGS FORGIVEN IS NOT:

1. Forgiveness is not denying that sin occurred or diminishing its evil.2. Forgiveness is not enabling sin.3. Forgiveness is not necessarily a response to an apology.

4. Forgiveness is not covering up crimes committed against us.5. Forgiveness is not forgetting.6. Forgiveness is not trust.7. Forgiveness is not reconciliation.

WHO DO YOU NEED TO

FORGIVE, AND WHO NEEDS TO

FORGIVE YOU?