Forgiveness and Forgiving
CGG Weekly by John ReissGod offered His Son to pay our penalties even before we realized the need for Him, and He wants us to acknowledge His Son's sacrifice, and confess our sins.
Forgiveness
Article by John O. ReidFollowing our too frequent mess-ups in life, forgiveness is so refreshing! We must forgive others if we are to be forgiven.
The Model Prayer (Part Seven): Forgive Us Our Debts
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughIn His Model Prayer, Jesus states that God's forgiveness of us depends on our forgiving others. Forgiveness spurs reconciliation among God's people.
Forgiveness and the Perpetual Covenant of Peace
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIt is commonly thought that we pay no price for forgiveness, yet Scripture shows that God gives us significant responsibilities to be a part of His family.
Lost and Found: The Power of Apologies and Forgiveness
Sermonette by Jared M. EllisForgiving, even when there is no apology, reflects the Father and Jesus Christ. The prodigal son is a story of the deep love we should have towards each other.
Forgiveness and Hope
CGG Weekly by John ReissForgiveness concerns each of us, and without God's forbearance, we would have absolutely no hope for anything beyond this brief, physical life.
The Need for Forgiveness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause it is more blessed to give than to receive, the things we desire for ourselves we should be willing to give to others, including forgiveness.
Forgiveness and the Unpardonable Sin
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerForgiveness is difficult, but the willing failure to forgive, along with any other unrepented sin, has the potential of permanently separating us from God.
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsJesus teaches us how to deal with offenses and sins against us in this parable, focusing on our attitude of forgiveness because of being forgiven ourselves.
The Fruits of Forgiveness
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingWhen Stephen forgave all his murderers, Paul may have been deeply impressed and smitten in his conscience. We need to develop a similar orientation of forgiveness.
Sins in the Balance (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Bible is full of commands to forgive and examples of forgiveness, and none of them stipulates that we wait for the sinner to repent before we forgive.
Sins in the Balance (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeForgiveness is not a feeling that washes over us, but a conscious choice. It does not mean that the offense will never come to mind, nor that all the pain vanishes.
The Prisoners
Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo'To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.' Forgiving and being forgiven are part of being a family.
The Prisoner
'Ready Answer' by Austin Del CastilloWe tend to work at cross-purposes to God, imprisoning ourselves and others in our adversarial relationships. The key to our cell is true forgiveness.
Mercy
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamMercy is an important dimension of God's character, displayed by our compassion on and forgiveness of those over whom we have power.
Just What is Mercy?
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaIt is impossible to become perfect without having mercy or compassion. Jesus' command to become perfect includes showing compassion to our enemies.
Another Look at Footwashing
Article by Bill KeeseeMany consider footwashing at Passover to be a mere ritual to remind us to serve one another. But it teaches another godly attribute: forgiveness.
Atonement: Physical and Spiritual Cleansing
Sermonette by Ryan McClurePhysical fasting provides insights to a parallel spiritual process of cleansing and removal of sin. Our High Priest commands us to let go to lighten our burden.
Choosing Not to Remember
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingGod does not forget our sins because He cannot any longer remember them, but because He actively chooses to forget them upon our repentance.
The Elder Brother
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingLike the older brother in the parable, we may have looked down on those who have stumbled. We are not equipped to judge anybody else's repentance.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPride destroys relationships, rendering righteous judgment next to impossible. Self-righteousness (a product of pride) makes an idol out of self.
Conduct of the New Life
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDriving out the evil must be followed by cultivating goodness and righteousness. An antidote to depression is to get our hearts focused on someone else.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur forgiveness from God is conditional, depending upon our forgiving others. It is an opportunity for us to extend grace, sacrificing as Christ did for us.
The Beatitudes, Part 5: Blessed Are the Merciful
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMercy is a virtue that has gone out of vogue, though it is sometimes admired. Jesus, however, places it among the most vital His followers should possess.
An Unpayable Debt and Obligation
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWhen God calls us and redeems us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we suddenly come under obligation—a debt we cannot pay but overshadows all we do.
Is Confession of Sins a Biblical Practice?
Bible Questions & AnswersThere is a difference between seeking a brother's help in overcoming a fault—a human weakness—and confessing sins of the past. Only God can forgive sin.
Forbearance
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod put up with the foibles of Abraham, Samson, David, Job, and others, allowing them time to repent and build character. We need to develop this godly trait.
Listen To The Lamb's Voice
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe movie Ben-Hur captures the essence of the time and ministry of Christ. By letting go of anger and hatred, we take on the yoke of Jesus Christ.
A Root of Bitterness (2016)
Sermonette by Bill OnisickOnly by letting go of the poisonous root of bitterness can we become like our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father.
Dealing With a Sinning Brother
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughDisfellowshiping is only used for the most extreme cases in which the safety of the congregation is threatened. Lesser offenses require more sensitivity.
Parable of the Two Debtors
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsJust as we have been forgiven a huge, unpayable debt, so must we extend forgiveness to those who owe us, showing that we appreciate what has been done for us.
Saved By Faith Alone?
'Ready Answer' by Earl L. HennProtestantism is based on Luther's insistence that Christians are saved by faith alone. But is the really true? It is true of justification, not salvation.
Is Obedience Required Before Receiving God's Holy Spirit?
'Ready Answer' by Earl L. HennActs 5:32 declares that God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him, yet some argue that keeping God's law is not necessary. What is the truth?
The Fruit of the Spirit: Meekness
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMeekness is often confused with weakness and considered to be undesirable. But Jesus lists it as a primary virtue of one who will inherit His Kingdom.
Repentance: The Genuine Article (Part Six)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe proof that a person has truly made a change of heart appears when his life begins to show him doing what is right. Right living is the fruit of repentance.
A New Beginning
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAtonement represents a new beginning when people of the world would be reconciled to God and freed from their bondage, reflecting the year of Jubilee.
Thou Shall Love Thy Neighbor
Sermon by John O. ReidWe are obligated to show compassion and mercy to all, refraining from gossip, exercising righteous judgment, forgiving others and applying the Golden Rule.
Manifesting Kindness
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe desperately need to internalize the godly traits of kindness, mercy, compassion, and tenderness, displacing the carnal traits of bitterness and wrath.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Seven): The Sin and Trespass Offerings
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSin and human nature affect everyone in society—from king to commoner—but God has covered sin from every angle in the sacrifice of His Son, fulfilling Leviticus 4-5.
The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must be involved in proclaiming His message, feeding the flock, living His example, assuming the responsibilities of our awesome commission.
Repentance
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIn mainstream Protestantism, repentance has fallen out of favor, yet it is mentioned far more in the New Testament than in the Old Testament.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur obligation toward God mandates that we love our fellow human beings, even individuals who have severely wronged us.
Basic Doctrines: Repentance
Bible Study by StaffRepentance is a condition for baptism, and ultimately of conversion and salvation. It is also a lifelong process—one never stops needing to repent.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughKindness goes hand-in-hand with love. It is an active expression of love toward God and fellow man, produced through the power of God's Spirit.
Passover, Obligation, and Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughChrist's redemption obligates us to obey and serve Him. We show our gratitude for this priceless gift by doing good in acts of love and service to others.
The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Healing a Paralytic (Part One)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe healing of the paralytic is a remarkable event. Significantly, Jesus honors the faith of the paralytic's friends who lowered him through the roof.