JESUS, THE LOVER OF HATERS!

Wednesday, December 13th, 2017

Message By: Helen Lauvao

Series: Simply Jesus

"Jesus, the Lover of Haters”

Then JESUS said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. (Luke 23:34 NKJV)

1. DARKNESS GIVES JESUS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE.

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.” (Luke 23:44-45 NKJV)

2. YOU CANNOT FORGIVE IF YOU DON’T HAVE TRUST.

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.” (Luke 23:46 NKJV)

3. DON’T PREACH CHRIST, BE CHRIST LIKE.

“So, when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.” (Luke 23:47-48 NKJV)

LIFE-GROUP QUESTIONS:

Why does un-forgiveness feel like power? Why is it so hard to forgive?
Who are you “billing” today?
Hebrews 4:15 teaches that we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tested in every way as we are. Do you find yourself asking Jesus to identify with your pain rather than you identifying with Jesus’ victory over pain through the forgiveness He displayed on the cross?
Choose today to be the day that you cancel every debt over your life. Ring a door bell, pick up the phone, buy a plane ticket, walk over to the next cubicle or the next pew and forgive. What holds you back from forgiving that debt? YOU can do it! Because He made a way!

PRAY:

Father God, forgiveness feels so unfair. And it is. I lose perspective, when people sin against me, I want them to pay, and I hold onto grudges and harbor un-forgiveness in my heart. Yet I desperately want You to forgive me. Just as I freely receive Your forgiveness, so I also need to freely give it. Help me, Holy Spirit. Please show me the people whom I need to forgive, and help me to forgive them. Thank You for Your lavish forgiveness. Help me to take Jesus’ example to heart so that I will forgive my brother/sister from my heart. In the name of Jesus, who paid the highest price to cancel the debt I could never pay, Amen.