THANKFUL BECAUSE...SERMON 2

Series: Thankful Because

Sermon Title: Thankful Because of Forgiveness

Text: Ephesians 1:7

Last week, we started a new November series entitled “Thankful Because.” We discussed the subject of God’s presencewith us and in us — and how we should be thankful because He is living with us and not just represented to us.

Today, I want to go a step further in our thoughts on Thanksgiving and preach on the subject “Thankful Because of God’s Forgiveness.”

The great preacher D. L. Moody once said, “The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder.” It’s also been said that “a forgiven heart is a thankful heart.” So let’s look at this idea today — being thankful for forgiveness.

1. The Fact of Forgiveness

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” — Ephesians 1:7

Every single person in this room, including me, was guilty of sin before a holy God. Sin separated us. Our relationship with God was broken. We could not fellowship with Him or expect to be with Him — but through the blood of Jesus Christ, forgiveness is now available.

It’s not something we can earn, buy, or win — it’s something given to us by grace that we simply receive.

Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
That’s not sweeping it under the rug. That’s not pretending it didn’t happen. That’s Almighty God granting complete forgiveness — and we should be thankful because of forgiveness.

2. The Fruit of Forgiveness

If we have been forgiven in such an awesome, undeserving way, that forgiveness should naturally flow out of us to forgive others.

Colossians 3:13 supports this truth: “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

We used to have a sign on the wall in our church that said:

“Saved people serve people, and found people find people.”
I would add — forgiven people forgive people.

We’re talking about being thankful this month — but it’s hard to be thankful if you’re resentful.
When we harbor hard feelings toward someone, it becomes difficult to grow as a Christian.

Most people love the idea of receiving Christ’s forgiveness but struggle to extend that same forgiveness to others. That unwillingness keeps us in bondage — it keeps the past alive and builds a prison that Christ has already opened the door to.

To forgive doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt. It doesn’t excuse the wrong, and it doesn’t let others “get away” with it — but it sets us free, breaks the chains, and makes us more like Christ.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

The problem we have with forgiveness is fairness. We want it to be fair — “They did this to me, so I’ll do this to them.”But that’s not forgiveness.

Aren’t you glad God doesn’t operate His forgiveness program like we do?
What if God said, “They did this to Me, so I’ll do that to them”?
I’d hate to try to even up with God!

Instead of fairness, God gives grace — not for our sake, but for Christ’s sake.
And when we forgive others in that same way, we are reflecting the very heart of God. That’s the fruit of forgiveness.

3. The Freedom of Forgiveness

There are people in this room today who are dreading the holidays because there’s something unresolved and unforgiven in the family.
“They did this.”
“He said that.”
And now, everyone walks on eggshells because of unforgiveness.

Perhaps your relationship with a friend or even a church member has suffered over hurt feelings. Husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and families — all living in bondage, not because of what happened, but because we won’t forgive.

You might say, “I just can’t forgive them.” or “I can’t get over it.” or “I can’t let it go.”

Let me remind us today: Jesus never excused sin, but He addressed it and forgave it.

• His forgiveness broke the chains of the Law that demanded the woman caught in adultery be stoned.

• His undeserved forgiveness restored Peter after failure.

• His mercy on the cross led Him to pray, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

There is power in unforgiveness, but there is freedom in forgiveness.

Mark Twain once said, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”

Conclusion

Forgiveness is possible in Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness is required of us if we’ve been forgiven.
And forgiveness will set you free.

This holiday season — and from now on — forgive like God has forgiven you.
Let’s be a thankful people… thankful because of forgiveness.