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THE FRUIT OF FORGIVENESS\n May 22, 2016\n\nPlease turn in Bibles: Luke 15:23: (NIV)\n(Ref. Matthew 26:27-28, Romans 3:23-24, 1John 3:1)\n-The Fullness of Forgiveness: understanding how great the Father\u2019s forgiveness is toward us\n-The Fruit of Forgiveness: allowing Him to empower us for the same \n(Ref. Matthew 18:21-22, Genesis 4:24 NKJV)\n\nFour Must-Know Truths from Parable of Unmerciful Servant:\n(Ref. Matthew 18:23-35)\n\n1: God has forgiven you and me a debt beyond measure \n2: God wants to make the forgiven forgivers\n\u2022\tForgiveness doesn\u2019t mean instant reconciliation\n\u2022\tForgiveness doesn\u2019t mean that there\u2019s no accountability\n\u2022\tForgiveness doesn\u2019t mean we forget\n\u2022\tForgiveness doesn\u2019t mean we immediately trust\n\n-Forgiveness literally means to loosen the grip we\u2019re holding on someone\u2019s neck\n-Unforgiveness is an effort to keep someone locked up, punished or out of our lives (Ref. Luke 6:36, Ephesians 4:32)\n\n3: We cannot fully forgive in our own strength\n4: Forgiveness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Ref. Gal. 5:16-17, 22-25)\nApp: Are you willing to allow God to empower you in this matter of forgiveness? \n\n16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the \nsinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the \nSpirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are \nin conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want\u2026 \n\n22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, \nfaithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. \nGalatians 5:16-17, 22-25\n\nWhat is God\u2019s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?