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Welcome to Steadfast Baptist Church, if you will get a white handout underneath your chair and turn this turn to Psalm 67. Now be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause a space to shine upon us, that thy ways may be known upon earth, by saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee. Let the nations be glad, and sing for joy, for thou shalt judge the people, righteously and governed, the nations upon earth, the nations upon earth say, La-la, let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee. O, let the nations be glad, and sing for joy, for thou shalt yield her in grace, and God, even our own God, shall bless us, and shall bless us in all the ends. On your shelf here, let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee. O, let the nations be glad, and sing for joy. Brother, will you pray for us, please? All right, turn to page 328 in your hymnals, page 328. I saw the giant of prayerlessness upon the mountain high, he laughed so hard in my own midnight glee, no longer in the wilderness I stayed, and so I cried. I want that mountain, it belongs to me, I want that mountain, I want that mountain, where the milk and honey flow, where the grapes of esquil grow, I want that mountain, I want that mountain, the mountain that my Lord has given me. There was a giant of laziness who said I wouldn't go, and witness for the one who set me free, I'll come from that the wilderness I'll witness now I know, I want that mountain, it belongs to me, I want that mountain, I want that mountain, where the milk and honey flow, where the grapes of esquil grow, I want that mountain, I want that mountain, the mountain that my Lord has given me. One faithless giant upon the crest of Hebron's lofty sight, has vowed that one's the one to make me glee, I'll climb from out the wilderness and trust Jehovah's might, I want that mountain, it belongs to me, I want that mountain, I want that mountain, where the milk and honey flow, where the grapes of esquil grow, I want that mountain, I want that mountain, the mountain that my Lord has given me. Let every giant of distress and unbelief and sin get ready now to vacate who you see, I come from out the wilderness, I know I'm going to win, I want that mountain, it belongs to me, I want that mountain, I want that mountain, where the milk and honey flow, where the grapes of esquil grow, I want that mountain, I want that mountain, the mountain that my Lord has given me. All right, welcome back to Steadfast Baptist Church for the evening service. If you need a bulletin, raise your hand and one of our men can get one to you. Our service times and our soul winning times are at the top and then brother Cameron, the total today for salvation 16. Amen, it's awesome. Yeah, that's not too bad for only a quarter of the church's soul winning, you know, so and that pushes us past our goal for the month, so I'm gonna have to bump that up next month, just saying. So anyways, keep up the good work, you know, it's always a blessing to be able to go out and preach the gospel just to have that opportunity, but to be able to see the amount of souls that we've had saved and, you know, the few weeks that we've been back is pretty awesome. So let's keep our expecting mother in prayer, Ms. Nikita Poorman and then also our two new additions to the family, the church family and that, you know, let's be in prayer for those families there and then our Bible memory passage, we're on verse six, Hebrews chapter four, verse six. Of course, we got brother Chris Segura, he's going to be preaching for us this evening and then we've got a list of guest preachers coming up, so be mindful to pray for these preachers as that service approaches and just pray for their travels and then their study time for the sermons and then we have a steadfast slash pure words men's conference men's retreat that's going to take place June 18th through the 20th. That's going to be in Fort Worth, Texas. All men who are 16 years and younger are allowed to attend and, you know, I just highly recommend if you are able to make that definitely set the time away from your schedule to do so and that Thursday evening service will be suspended the 18th. We will not have Thursday evening service June 18th and that's all the announcements I had this morning or this evening, so we'll go to our next song. It's going to be 288, hymn number 288. And song number 288. I am resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world's delight. Things that are higher, things that are lower, these have alert my sight. I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free. Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee. I am resolved to go to the Savior, leaving my sin and strife. He is the true one, He is the just one, He hath the words of life. I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free. Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee. I am resolved to follow the Savior, faithful and true each day. Heed what He's saying, do what He will if He is the living way. I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free. Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee. And if you'll turn to Matthew chapter 18, while the offering plates are being passed around. I do want to make another quick announcement that I did forget, and of course I think we all know already, but the Gillums are also expecting a baby, and I have continued to leave them off the list, and that is 100% my fault, so I had to make that announcement. We should be in prayer, in fact we better give extra prayers in case you weren't already praying for them. Matthew chapter 18, Matthew 18. All right, the Bible reads, verse one it says, At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever shall humble himself as a little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me, but whoso shall offend one of these little children which believeth in me. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses, for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh. Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee, it is better for thee to enter into life, halt, or maim, rather than having two hands and two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee, it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hellfire. Take heed that ye despise not of these little ones, for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven, for the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye, if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety-nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so, be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep than of the ninety-nine which went not astray. Even so, it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, the one of these little ones should perish. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more that is in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell unto the church. But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto the heathen and the publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three gather together in my name, they are mine in the midst of them. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? And Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee unto seven times, but unto seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And we had begun to reckon one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents, but for so much as he had not to pay, as the Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children on all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, I will pay thee all. Then the Lord of the servant was moved with compassion and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him an hundred pence, and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou wast. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have you patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. When his fellow-servant saw that was done, they were very sorry, and it came and told unto their Lord all that was done. Then his Lord after that he had called him, and said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou desiredest me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one whose brother their trespasses. All right, let's pray. Dear Lord, we just thank you for your word. Amen. The title of my sermon is A Lifestyle of Forgiveness. A Lifestyle of Forgiveness. Go ahead and look at Matthew 15, 18, 15. It says, Moreover, thy brother shall trespass against thee. Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone, and if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if you neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church, and if you neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man, and a publican. Whereverly I say unto you, what service your bond on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what service you shall loose on earth shall be loose in heaven. And again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything, that they shall ask, it should be done for them of my Father, which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. So of course, Matthew 18, 15 is talking about church disciplines. You have a parliament, an individual in the church. This is how you handle it. You go to the individual alone, like it says right there in verse 15, alone, and try to just squash it, handle it, whatever the case may be. But if that individual does not want to listen to you, and thinks he's not in the wrong, then of course you bring somebody else or two other people, and go up to the individual, and try to take care of the problem right there and then. But of course, if it's that bad of an issue, then you bring before the church, not because you're trying to cause any issues, but because you're trying to make things right. And of course, if somebody offends you, it makes sense to go up to the individual alone, just trying to fix it. But if it needs to get other people involved, then you need to do it. Why? Because that's what God in heaven wants us to do in order to keep the peace here in our churches. Amen. You know, but that's not necessarily what I want to preach about. The next part is what I want to preach about right there in verse 21. Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how I've shown my brother sin against me, and I forgive him till seven times. Jesus says unto him, I say not unto thee until seven times, but unto seventy times seven. That's a lot. That's a lot. So he's like, how many times should I forgive somebody if they come and they come and offend me and after forgiveness? Hey, bottom line, a lot. You forgive him every single time. You know, but the funny thing is simply this. You know, when you look at individuals that get upset at others, instead of going up to that individual and saying, look, what you said, what you did or whatever, you know, that has me upset. They tend to keep it to themselves. And what they end up doing is they end up talking to other people about it. And in their eyes, they think they're okay because they're not the ones in the wrong. But of course, these people, instead of going up to them, trying to get things right and forgiving them and moving on, the Bible says that guess what? They're the ones that are in sin. They're the ones that are being wicked. But if we're not careful, we can beat those individuals that just do not forgive. We just kind of hold it. We get bitter, and we tend to just kind of hurt ourselves. In the meantime, all that needs to be done is just to go up to an individual, say, look, this is what happened. You offended me. Hey, I want you to apologize. I didn't like what you said or what you did or whatever the case, and it can easily be fixed there. You know, but Jesus is somebody who teaches us how He wants us to live. He is our example. And when we look at the life of Christ, He prayed a lot. The Bible says getting up a great while before a day, you know, He prayed. And He also prays sometimes throughout the night. And even when they came to Him and said, Lord, teach us to pray, He taught them what to say. He taught them how to start in prayer. But one of the things He brought up is forgiveness. It's forgiveness. And if there was ever anyone who had a lifestyle of forgiveness, it was Jesus Christ. Amen. And as individuals, as Christians, that's how we need to be as well. We need to have a lifestyle of forgiveness where we're ready to forgive immediately, whatever the case may be. If somebody offends you and you don't want to go up and rebuke that individual, then by all means, just forgive and forget and let it go and move on. But if it's that bad and it's bothering you, then yes, it makes sense to take that person to the side and say, look, this is what happened. Or if you think you did something to someone else, it makes sense to call them up and say, look, I'm not sure if it's bothering you, but this is bothering me. And just tell that individual what you did wrong or call them up and say, look, this is what happened the other day. I just want to bring it up. It's been bothering me. Hey, look, I don't want you to do that again or whatever the case may be, because that's the way we do business. Amen. But let's try to be like Christ, try to be like our Heavenly Father. You don't have to go there. But this is one of my favorite verses. Nehemiah 917 says this, the second part of it. But thou are a God ready to pardon, ready to pardon. Can that be said of you? Can that be said of any of us? We should be those individuals that are ready to pardon, ready to forgive, ready to move on. It says that God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger. There's nothing wrong with anger. Let's be slow to anger. And there are some things that should anger us. Sin should anger us. When people attack God's word, that should anger us. We should have anger, but be slow to anger. And even more importantly, we need to be people that know how to get angry and yet sin not. That is possible. Be ye angry and sin not. So anger is not a sin in a sense, because guess what? They never made God the biggest sinner because he got upset. One key example is when he got upset at Moses and was going to kill Moses, but his wife intervened. And if you read that story, great, but God ended up forgiving him and still use them to do great and mighty things. But not just that, Jonah said the same thing. It says in Jonah 4 2, it says, for I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful. There it is again, slow to anger and of great kindness and repentance of the evil. And that's one goal we should have as well is to be people of great kindness to strangers, to our brothers and sisters in Christ, to even people that hate us. Amen. How do you overcome evil? Overcome evil with good. And that individual that hates you, doesn't like you for whatever reason, Hey, at the end of the day is really that something's going on inside their heart. Whatever the case may be, you can take it to the bank that if you have nothing towards this individual, but this individual has something against you. It is them is not you, but they can't see that while they're blinded by the wrong anger. But we should be those types of individuals that forgive and forget and move on and do our best to encourage one another, do our best to help each other out and do our best not to remember the bad, learn from whatever lessons you have to learn from, but try not to keep that bitterness in your heart, try to get rid of it. And it says in Isaiah, for thou has cast all my sins behind thy back. And that's what we should be people that are like, yeah, I know you screwed up, but you know what? I don't even want to think of that. I like how our pastor puts it. Look, if you did something to me and I don't remember, don't tell me, cause I just want to look at you as a perfect person. And then sometimes people go to him and it's like, look, Hey, remember what I, what I talked to you about, like seven months ago and passed out and says, hold on, hold up, stop, stop. Whatever you told me seven months ago, don't tell me, cause I don't remember it. I just want to look at you as the greatest person on planet earth. He's casting this individual sins behind him. And he just wants to look at this person in a positive way, not a negative way, but that's what we should be as well. If you have revivals, go to someone or three, go to someone or three, because that's the loving thing to do. If you know things about individuals, if you know, people's mistakes, people's paths, do your best just to cover it and not to bring it up again, let it go, move on with your life. You guys go to Psalms one Oh three. I'm going to read from Proverbs 17 nine. Proverbs 17 nine says this, he that covereth a transgression seeketh love. When I see people screw up, I do my best not to tell people. And I know me and my wife are close, we're tight, but sometimes I try not to mention things to her just cause I don't want to ruin it for her. If I see somebody say something, do something or somebody does something to me, I almost think twice before I even bring it up to anybody else. Why? Because I seek love. I want this person, you know, to just continue to move forward and do what's right. And that's what it says in Proverbs 17 nine. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love, but repeating the matter doesn't help the situation. It says he that repeated the matter separated very friends. A good way to ruin a relationship is to spread their dirt, spread whatever bad things they have in their life. We should keep it to ourselves because it's not going to help to spread it, to tell anyone it is what it is. Yes. We should talk to our wives, tell them everything that bothering us, but some things you got to kind of wonder, am I saying this to my wife because it's going to help the situation or because I just want to explode on this person and make them look bad and kind of retaliate, you know, just to her. We need to be careful when we say things or repeat matters. Why are you saying certain things? What's the situation? What's going on? Why am I really wanting to bring this up? Because if you see people mess up, you and I both know just living by the golden rule. If I've done something and somebody knows about it, it's like, look, I would love that individual not to repeat it, to just keep it. Why? Because I don't want my stuff being spread. Why? Because it's humiliating. I'm just trying to get my life right and move on. If people happen to know things about me or whatever the case may be, it is what it is. Look, I'm just trying to go forward, live for the Lord, et cetera, et cetera, saying vice versa. If I see you do something or you tell me something, hey, I'm gonna try to keep it inside. Maybe they told me just because they wanted to say, hey, look, I messed up. What do I do? Hey, this is how you should continue to do business. And at that point, it's like, well, you know what? Just keep it to myself. Why? Because I love this individual. I don't want to separate this person. I don't want him to not be my friend anymore. And bottom line, I'm covering this transgression because I'm seeking love. Amen. And that's all I got is as well. But, Proverbs 16, 27, an ungodly man diggeth up evil. So if you're that individual that's just digging up evil, take to the bank. You're not right with God. You're an ungodly individual. And if you have friends that love doing that, you know what? You need to run from those individuals. They're not going to help you. And in fact, they'll turn on you. When they no longer need you, they'll turn on you. And those individuals exist. People that troll these churches, guess what they are? A bunch of ungodly individuals constantly digging up dirt, constantly wanting to just find out what's going on, trying to find out things about individuals, not for their own benefit, but so they can destroy them. And that's what these people are. An ungodly man diggeth up evil and ellipse is there as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife. And that's the same individual that's going around digging up evil, cannot forgive, cannot forget, can't let it go, can't move on forward. They just want to find more and more information because they know that they're the ones that are wrong, but they're trying to make themselves look good by making others look bad. And we need to be careful not to be those individuals. And bottom line, we need to aim to be like the Lord Jesus Christ, to be like our heavenly father. Let's look at Psalms 103 to remind you guys how he is and how he wants us to be. It says in verse one, bless the Lord all my soul and all that is within me. Bless his holy name, bless the Lord all my soul and forget not all his benefits who forgiveth not some, forgiveth all thine iniquities, all thine iniquities. And that's a great thing. When you confess and take it to the bank, God's going to forgive it. Yes, there may be consequences to whatever sin you may commit, depending on how bad it is, but you can take it to the bank every single time. Not everything you ask God is going to say yes to, but this one, he will always say yes to, Lord, I'm sorry, please forgive me for X, Y, and Z. It's a done deal. You can take that to the bank and walk away knowing that yes, I may have to pay for whatever mistakes I made, but at the end, God and me, we're good again. And that's a great thing. Let's keep looking. Who healeth all the diseases, who redeemeth our life from destruction, who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies, who satisfied thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles. The Lord executed righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He may have known his ways unto Moses, his action to the truth of the Lord. The Lord, there it is again, is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. And that's what we should be, quick to forgive. Amen. Quick to say, yeah, no problem. Hey, let's just forget about it. Let's just move on. Hey, I'm glad you brought that up, you know. And it's funny because our deacon, I'm sure you won't mind if I tell this story, you know, we're in the meeting with Pastor Anderson and, you know, we joke around. It is what it is. We joke around. Pastor jokes around. He jokes around and whatever the case may be. And he ended up saying something, you know, ended up saying something about me. You know, he says something that, that I guess in a sense is humiliating. And I'll just say, okay, whatever, you know. And then I think it was the next day that I get a call and I'm like, yeah, what's up? And he's like, hey, man, I just got to bring this up. And yesterday when I said what I said, hey, I didn't really mean it. I'm sorry. And I'm just like, look, bottom line, what are you talking about? And then he's like, remember when I said this? I'm like, what really? I thought that was funny. You know, I thought it was funny, but it bugged him so much that he called me to apologize. And I'm like, yeah, man, don't even worry about it. You know, he's like, I thought it was funny. That was a good joke. Ha ha ha. You know, but that's how I was. Even if I felt like, you know what, that's wrong. The fact that he called me shows me that a, he's just a guy who cares about doing what's right. You know, he called me and I didn't even think for a second. I just laugh. He kind of disrespect me in front of the pastor, but I'm like, whatever, that is funny. I do do whatever it is that he said. And even to this day, I don't even remember it because I just forgave and forgot, you know, and I can't remember. I have to have them remind me like, what did you say that day when you called me? What was it? What insult did you throw my way? Because I honestly can't remember, but that's how we should be. That's how we should be. And literally just even right now, obviously, if I think really, really hard, I might remember, but I like that example because I don't remember what he said. Why? Because I don't care. I just want to be right with him. He called me, said, look, man, I'm sorry for what I said. And even right now, I can honestly tell you what, what did he say? You know, but I'm not going to ask him, hey, whatever, because they may open up wounds that we don't need to, but slow to anger, plenty is in mercy. He will not always try, neither would he keep us anger forever. Amen. He has not dealt with us after our sins. And Amen. God doesn't always punish us as hard as we deserve it. And we should be the same thing. We should let things go. And sometimes people see that as a weakness, man, how can you let that go? You need to say something. No, no, no, no, forget it. It's not that big of a deal. Let's just move on. And it says very clearly in verse 11, for as the heaven is high above the earth, so is great is mercy towards them that fear him. I want you to skip down to verse number 13. It says the same thing. Likewise, as a father, pityeth his children. Where are my fathers at? Where's the fathers in this room? There you go. There you go. There you go. Hey, you and I both know we love our children. We don't like to punish our children, but sometimes we have to, but doesn't it feel great when they're like, I'm sorry. And you know, they're serious. Doesn't it feel good? And at that point you're like, well, I'm glad you feel bad. You're forgiven. You just wanted to get back to how it was where you guys were okay. You guys were okay with each other. And that's how we should be towards our brothers and sisters, exactly how we are with our children. And not just be like, well, this guy, I don't really like him that much. No, you need to forgive him. Like it says right here, like a father, pityeth his children. So the Lord pityeth them that fear him. And our children do fear us and they do want to do right. Of course, unless they grow up to be wicked and yeah, they don't care about what we say or what we want them to do, but you and I both know children, they want to do right. They want to do what their parents want. They want to make their parents happy, but they are children and their heart is a lot of folly and they will mess up. They will do things that are going to upset us. But once they say, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. It feels great. It feels awesome. And I'm sure the individual that offends you when you forgive them, they feel the same way. Good man. We're good. We're good. Move on and forgive and have a lifestyle of being a forgiving individual. It would go way better for you and we'll get into it even more, but that's how we should be. Verse 17 of Psalms 103, but the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his righteousness unto children's children. And of course, Christ was a great example of somebody who lived a lifestyle forgiveness. If you have your Bibles, you know, go ahead and go to Luke seven, go to Luke seven. While you go to look seven, I'm going to read from Mark two. And he was constantly getting in trouble for forgiving a lot of people, you know, the hypocrites people that just were just evil on the inside would get upset. Just Christ would constantly be telling people you're forgiven, you're forgiven. And they're like, who again, forgive sins. If he knew what manner of woman this was, you know, he wouldn't be talking to her. No, that's not the attitude we should have. Christ's attitude was like, yeah, I'm ready to forgive. You know, he's the same God in the Old Testament where he's ready to pardon, ready. And that's what we should be as well. We're like, look, this individual did me wrong. I'm ready to forgive him. All I want him to do is realize that what he's done is wrong and change. And that's an individual that fears the Lord. Somebody who wants to change and do what's right. You know, but you guys go to Luke seven. I'm just going to read from Mark two as fast as I can. Just showing you one story of how he gets in trouble. Christ gets in trouble for being too forgiving. And again, he entered into Capernaum after some days and it was noise that he was in the house. And straightway, many were gathered together and so much that there was no room to receive them. No, not so much as about the door. And he preached the word unto them and they come unto him, bring you one sick of the palsy, which was born at four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof. So these brothers are breaking the roof to bring their brother in to see Jesus so you can heal him. And when they have broken it up, they lay down the bed where in the sick of the palsy, when Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, son thy sins be forgiven thee. And did everybody like that? No. Who didn't like it? But they were certain of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts. Why did this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they saw reason within themselves, he said unto them, why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether it's easy to say the sick of the palsy, thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say arise and take up that bed and walk. And what of course I'm trying to show is that he did forgive people and these people are just trying to do what's right. And he's like, look, you're forgiven, you're forgiven, you're forgiven. And instead of being happy, some people were upset. And it wasn't that they really cared whether or not God was a forgiving God. It's that they didn't like the fact that these people didn't do much to be forgiven. God just forgave them. And they probably felt in their hearts that no, look what they just did. They broke our roof. You know, they messed it all up. You know, they're disrupting this meeting. These people shouldn't be blessed like this. They need to be told to move to the side and wait their turn. But that's not how Christ saw it. He's like, look, I'm going to forgive any chance I get. Every chance I can, I'm going to forgive. And we should be the exact same way. And of course, none of us are perfect. We will make mistakes. We are going to offend. We will say things, do things, whatever the case may be. But at the end of the day, look, let's just understand that God wants us to be ready to pardon, ready to forgive and have a lifestyle of forgiving. Amen. And they will benefit you. You guys are right there in Luke seven. Here's another individual that God forgave and people got upset. And when the Pharisees desired him, that he would eat with him and went into the Pharisees house and sat down to meet and behold a woman in the city, which was a sinner. When she knew that Jesus sat at mead in the Pharisees house, brought an alabaster box of ointment and stood at his feet behind him, weeping and began to wash his feet with tears and then wiped them with the hairs of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment, verse 39. Now, when the Pharisees, which had bitten him, saw it, he spake within himself saying, this man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touches him for she is a sinner. And Jesus answered, said unto him, Simon have somewhat to say unto thee and he said, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor, which had two debtors, the one oh five hundred pants and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom thou he forgave his most and he said unto him, thou has rightly judged. And he turned to the woman and said unto Simon, see thou this woman, I entered into thy house. Thy gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gave me no kiss, but this woman since the time I came in has not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oiled out does not anoint, but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore, I say unto thee, her sins which are many are forgiven. For she loved much, but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her that sins are forgiven thee. And if we don't stop and remember how good God has been us and we don't stop and realize how much we've been forgiven, we'll end up like this guy. We'll end up like him and we'll be like, how could you let this individual back into church? Are you kidding me? I've been here longer. I've been doing what's right. And you'll end up like the prodigal son's brother who just cannot forgive and forget and move on and help the individual to grow. And that can be any of us. We need to be careful and realize just how much God has forgiven us. And the thought of foolishness is sin. I don't know if this is true, but I heard this or read this a long time ago that supposedly we have thousands of thoughts. Let's just say that's not true. I would definitely believe we have hundreds of thoughts every day. Yay or nay. I believe that. Well, I guarantee you not every thought that you have every day is a good thought, especially since it says that the thought of foolishness, not wickedness. I'm not talking about lusting. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about a foolish thought. Example, I think the best example is this. My pastor, he told a story how he was painting and he's trying to reach a little spot. And sure enough, he couldn't reach it. He wasn't that tall of a guy. My old pastor, not pastor Anderson, but my old pastor back in California. So he gets out the six foot ladder, opens it up and then sure enough, much climb still can't reach it. Sure enough, he looks at that step on top that has a Ghostbuster sign with some guy falling over. Who knows what I'm talking about? Well, he saw that and he's just like, I think I'll be fine. Well, before he did it, he thought it. It says don't step on this step. You will fall. You will fall or at least have a high chance of falling. Did he harken onto that warning? No. Climbs it, gets on top and stop dropping and falling. Well, before he did it, he thought it. The same came when he caught it because a thought of foolishness is what? Sin. He's not the only one. He didn't break a leg. But another pastor that came through talked about how he did the same thing, but he did break his leg. All because he felt that he was the exception. And we may end up like that. I'm the exception. You know, I think people should be merciful to me. Well, are you merciful to others? I don't understand why people don't like me. Well, do you love everyone? You reap what you sow. That's just the bottom line. And we need to have a lifestyle of forgiving people. And this is what Christ did. Though her sins were many, yet he was quick to forgive her because she feared him. She wanted to do what's right. And that's the difference between Mary Magdalene and King Saul. I'm sorry, I've sinned, but he didn't really mean it. And that's what we have to do is just take people's word. If they're like, look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. Okay, fine. And if they mess up again, forgive them again. And mess up again and again and again. Seven times, seven times, we forgive them again. And we keep trying with this individual until the end of time. Amen. Unless they're reprobating them for sure. No more forgiveness on that individual. But until we get to that point where we know better, then you know what? Give them the benefit of the doubt and try to help them. Just try to help them. Whoever it is that comes back to the church, gets kicked out, comes back, whatever, do our best to just have that lifestyle of forgiving. Amen. And if there's anybody, anybody that knows this is David. I'll just quickly read. You guys go to Matthew 27, 29. Go to Matthew and meet me at verse number 29 of chapter 27. Matthew 27, 29. I'm going to read from 2 Samuel chapter 12, verse 13. It says, And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. Who else said that? King Saul. I sinned against the Lord. But Saul didn't mean it. He didn't. He says, hey, you're disobedient. You know, obedience is better than sacrifice. I have sinned. But no, the Lord forsook him because he knew he wasn't real. He knew he wasn't serious. But if you're serious, you could take it to the bank. You know what? God would forgive you. But hey, we should just take people's word and realize, hey, you know what? This individual, he wants to do what's right. He's saying, I'm sorry. Hey, if he's serious, then you know what? Then we just got to take this word for it. You know, time will tell. But once again, if they mess up again down the road, we forgive them and forgive them and forgive them. And as many chances as we can, unless they're reprobate, we keep taking it back, keep trying to help individuals out. And you'll run into this situation sooner or later, where somebody will cross you. Boom, they get kicked out. You're like, I'm glad they're gone. Come back fully repenting. You have to let them come. Don't get bitter. Don't be like the prodigal son's brother and realize like, man, this guy's back, et cetera, et cetera. Well, you know what it is, what it is. You should be rejoicing. You shouldn't be upset. Hey, if it turns out he's just a bad dude at the end, what's that on you? You do what's right, you'll be fine. But you don't want to cause yourself to be hindered and cause yourself to be cursed because you don't have a forgiven spirit. That's just the warning. But going back to Christ, I mean, look at this. If you're right there in verse 27, 29, this is Jesus Christ. Talk about a forgiving God. It says, and when they have planted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head and are reading his right hand. And they bowed the knee before him. And what mocked them saying, hello, King of the Jews. And they spit upon him and took the wreath and smote him on the head. And after they had mocked them, they took the rope off from him and put his own Raymond on and led him away to be crucified. Skip down to verse number 39. It says, and they that pass by reviled him and wagging their heads and saying, thou that destroys the temple and build us in three days, save thyself. If thou be the son of God, come down from the cross. And likewise, also the chief priest. What? Mocking him, mocking him. So this is the passion of Christ. This is what is being crucified. And guess what? They were mocking him all day long. And he knew that was coming. He knew that was coming. Now, if you can go, go to Luke 23, go to Luke 23, 33. And while you go to look 23, 33, this wasn't a surprise to Christ. This wasn't something that shocked them. This isn't something that he didn't know was coming. He said in Mark 10, you guys are going to look 23, 33. I'll read from Mark 10. It says this saying, behold, we go up to Jerusalem and the son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and unto the scribes. And they shall condemn him to death and shall deliver him to the Gentiles and they shall mock him. I don't like being mocked. And I'm sure you don't either. It says, they'll mock him. They'll scourge him. It says, and shall spit upon him. How many of you guys have been spit at before? Maybe, maybe besides, you know, your kids, you know, coughing it up or whatever, somebody spit in your face in anger. It was just accidental. Well, it is what it is, my friend. I've never had somebody spit in my face, but I highly doubt it's something easy to take. I highly doubt it is. But Jesus right here, Mark 10, it's like, you know, it's apostles saying, look, I'm going to be mocked. I'm going to be scourged and they're going to spit in my face and they're going to kill me. You guys are right there in Luke 23. I'll just read from the chapter before that. It says, and the man that held Jesus, they mocked them, they smote him. And when they have blindfolded him, they struck them in the face and asked him, saying, prophesy, who is it that smote? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. So they're treating them very, very badly. They're spitting them. They're making fun of them. They're scourging them. They're whipping them until he's a bloody mess. And yet what happens in the next chapter? Luke 23, 33, go ahead and look down to Luke 23, 33. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him. Now he's hanging on the cross with nails through his hands and the male factors, the thieves, one on the right hand and the other on the left. But yet Christ didn't curse him. He's been mocked, spit upon, scourged, and yet he has the strength to say, father, verse 34, forgive them. Forgive them. I don't think it's much to ask for us to be a people of a forgiving spirit, to have a lifestyle, just like it says in the Old Testament, ready to pardon, ready to forgive, whoever it may be. You know, maybe it's not your enemy. Maybe it's not your neighbor. But how about your spouse? She gets you upset. She offends you. There's a danger not forgiving your spouse and making things right, right away. And we'll look into that in a second. But if Christ said, father, forgive them after they mocked him, scourged him, spit upon him, I think it's not something big for us to forgive other individuals. I mean, that are not spitting in our face. They're not mocking us. Maybe they borrowed money and they didn't pay us back or whatever the case may be. You know, even when they said they would, you do somebody a favor. It turns out they get bitter at you when you just say, hey, you know what? I did you this favor. I'm just asking you if you can, you know, to help me out a little bit. And they don't want to. But this is what we're commanded to have. If you have your Bibles, go to Matthew 6-12. Go to Matthew 6-12, while you're going to Matthew 6-12. I'm going to read more verses on forgiving. Ephesians 4, verse one says this, I dare for the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation with your call, with all loneliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in a bond of peace. There is one body, one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Verse 31, let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. So what is Paul saying? You can actually have a lifestyle forgiving one another. You guys are going to mess up. You guys are going to offend each other. But A, be forgiving. Be forgiving. That's what Christ taught his apostles. You're right there in Matthew 6-12, verse number 12, and forget us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Verse 14, for if ye forgive men, for if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Now I can understand that somebody doesn't want to forgive me, even though I apologize, but imagine God the Father not forgiving you. That's a serious thing. That's a serious thing. And if obviously we don't have God's forgiveness, we don't have his protection, his blessings, we're under a curse. Why? Because we're in sin. So of course, if we're like, God forgive us, he's going to forgive us. But here's the thing. He forgives us when we mess up. We need to take that and say, you know what? Who am I not to forgive such and such? Especially since out of all the things they ask Christ, Christ teach us to praise. Apostles are like, teach us to pray. No problem. I want you to say this, and I want you to say this. Oh, and by the way, I want you to ask for forgiveness. Oh, and before you do that, I want you to forgive others too. And if you don't, then guess what? Your Father's not going to forgive you. And if you do, then he'll forgive you. And that's what you want. You want to be right with God. If you have your Bibles, go to Colossians chapter number three. Colossians chapter number three, go to verse 13. I'll read from Mark 11, where Jesus says, therefore I say unto you, what things shall you desire when you pray? Believe that you receive them, and ye shall have them. And when you stand praying, forgive, and be of ought against any, that your Father also, which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither would your Father, which is in heaven, forgive your trespasses. But that's not where the Bible ends in regards to teaching us to forgive. Paul said, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. And that's what we should aim for. Why? Because there is a danger if we don't forgive. If we don't forgive our enemies, what does the Bible say? If you have your Bible, go ahead and go to Luke 18. Go to Luke 18, verse number one. While you go there, I'm going to read from Luke 6 27. So you go ahead and meet me in Luke 18 one. I'm just going to read from Luke 6 27 while you go there. This is Christ saying by the say unto you, which hear, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despisefully use you. And unto him that smite thee on the one cheek, offer also the other, and him that taketh away thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also. So reminder, pray for enemies, praise those that hate you. And it could be somebody who just gets upset at you and it's not even your fault. I think the biggest trial that had a, biggest test that I had one time is I was doing cable and I was just setting up somebody's internet. And I did my best, you know, to just be considerate. And so when I got to the apartment complex, man, every single spot had a number on it. So I'm assuming it belongs to whoever, whoever's apartment number that is. So I drove around, drove around, drove around, and I came to the spot that had a covering and it was damaged, like a tree fell on it or whatever. And it was damaged. And I'm like, whoa, that looks kind of crazy. And then I saw the parking spot. It was blank, no number whatsoever. And I'm like, cool. I'll take it. I mean, it's my work van. If this thing falls on my van, I don't care. It's not like I'm driving a Mercedes, you know? So I parked there and I'm like, great. Cause it wasn't too far from the house. So sure enough, I'll go to the apartment, talk to the customer, find out where they want the modem, et cetera, et cetera. Then I go to get my equipment. So as I'm leaving her apartment, I end up going in the parking lot and I hear somebody yelling, Hey, Hey, Hey. I'm like, what? I turn around. You? Yeah. You like me. Yeah. Yo. And then he starts walking up to me and there's this guy in a tank tub with some muscles, you know? So it comes up to him. It's like, yes, sir. He's like, yo, these spots are taken. They're all taken, man. They all belong to people. And he's yelling at me just like that. I'm like, oh, I'm sorry. Is that your van? He's like, move that thing. I'm like, whoa. You know? Yeah. I'm sorry. I'll move it. No problem. You know? And he's like, you know what? He starts, you know, blankety blank, just saying things to me really mean. And I'm just like, whoa. You know? And I'm like, look, I honestly made a mistake. I honestly thought it didn't belong to anyone. And he literally just walked up to me and he's this far from my face. And he's like, you know what? Blankety blank you. And I'm like, whoa, I'm sorry. You know, I'll move it right now. I got in there and I parked it way out there where I felt like, man, they're going to bring it to my van, but it is what it is. And the whole time I'm walking, this came into my mind. Like, you know what? I don't know what this guy's problem is, but it ain't me. And I'm just like, Lord, forgive that guy. You know, it's like, forgive him. I don't know what's going on. Help that guy out. Bless him. And I didn't one time even flinch or anything, but I wasn't trying to cause any more issues. And I just left it at that. Look, I'm sorry. I did my best to apologize, even though it wasn't in the wrong. He was yelling at me and just screaming at me. And he got up to my face and I'm thinking, man, this guy's about to punch me. So I left it alone, left it in God's hands. And I'm like, man, I hope I don't run into that guy again. And as I parked my vehicle, I'm coming and kind of looking around, trying to hide from the guy. Hopefully I don't run into him again. And then sure enough, I had to connect the lady. So the tap was outside this lady apartment. So I went outside to the tap to connect the internet. And then sure enough, I'm sitting there working on a box and this guy comes out of an apartment, like right next to me, like from here to there. And it comes out to me and I just did a quick one and it was him. And I'm like, oh man. So I looked and I kind of like just started looking straight and the guy walks by me and he hits me in the shoulder. He popped me in the shoulder, like, boom. And I'm like, oh man, are you serious? I had to look up. So when I look up, he's there standing over me and he's like, yo man, about earlier. I'm just sorry about that. I'm just having a bad day. You know, can you forgive me, man? I'm sorry. I'm like, Hey, you're forgiven. No problem. It's cool. We're cool. We're cool. But what if I didn't have a forgiving spirit? You know what? Forget that guy, you know, and I started to curse him in the name of the Lord. I'm thinking I would have answered me, but still, you know, what if I would have said back off with me, man, what's wrong with you? You don't have the right to yell at me. What do you think would have happened? It would have been a fist fight and it was on and the guy probably, you know, was too, too puffed up in his mind because he did have some muscles, you know, and he was ready to knock me out. But I didn't know that parking spot was his, but this is the kind of attitude that I have because I need the scriptures. And it's like, look, this guy hates me. And if he would have spent in my face, I promise you, I still wouldn't have done anything. And if he would have punched me in the face, I probably would just backed off and kind of put my hands up to defend myself, but I wouldn't have retaliated because it wasn't worth it. You know, but this is something that I think saved my career because if I would have gotten into a fight, I would have been fired. No doubt in my mind, they wouldn't have cared. It would be like, look, we can't allow you to continue to work for us. You get into a fight. Now he's suing or whatever, you're done. And it would have been unemployed. So praise the Lord. I had a forgiving spirit and that's what happened. I just walked away like, Lord, forgive that guy. I don't know what's going on. You know, it's like, I'm sure it's him. And he admitted, Hey, and he asked for forgiveness. So I forgive him right away. No problem whatsoever, you know, but we need to be like that as well with our church members and our spouses, because if we don't, you know, it is what it is. The devil can get to you and destroy you and use your pride against you. You're right there in Luke 18 one. Luke 18 one says this, and he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not faint. Let's go to verse number nine. And he spake this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous. And this is the problem with some individuals that cannot forgive. They think that they're better than they really are. And I'm glad the scripture is there because it humbles me when I read it. It reminds me not to be more puffed up, not to think of myself more highly than I should. And it says they expect this parable unto certain which trusted him. I'm in Luke 18 nine, which trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despise others. Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus within himself. God, I thank you that I am not as other men are extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in a week. I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast saying, God be merciful to me, a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for everyone that exalted himself should be abased. And he that humbles himself shall be exalted. I'll just read from Romans 12 three that says this, for I say, through the grace given unto me to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, soberly, according to he has dealt every man the measure of faith. So of course, the main thing that I believe causes people not to forgive is that forget how bad they are. You know, they don't want to take the beam out of their face. You know, they just look at this individual, you know, who's now trying to fix their lives. And they think, Oh, no, I just don't know about this guy who cares if he said, I'm sorry, move on, forgive, and cover his transgressions and don't spread them. And years down the road, don't bring that stuff up that he messed up. Don't tell other people that are new to the church. Well, I would be careful with this individual back in the day X, Y, and Z happened. What does that have to do with anything now? I mean, would you want that to happen to you? Would you want somebody to bring it up your dirt? You know? Absolutely not. So we need to be careful not to be like this Pharisee despising others because he thinks he's better than he really is. Amen. You know, but the world is not going to teach you to forgive and forget. They're not going to do that. Television is not going to do that. Hollywood's not going to do that. Books, you know, that, that are, that are against the Bible are not going to do that. In fact, I remember I must've been in, if not a teenager, you know, maybe I was 10, 11 or 12 and there was this show. It was called who's in their forties in here. Anybody remember saved by the bell was Zach Morris. Remember that guy, him and his girlfriend, Tiffany, you know, don't worry about it. Don't Google it. Just, this is a show. And, and this show, you know, had this woman in it named Tiffany or whatever. And Zach Morris was the cool guy, the blonde guy. How many of you guys know what I'm talking about? Saved by the bell. What's that? Was it Kelly? Yeah. Kelly. There you go. Not Tiffany. Tiffany was a real name. Kelly was the, the, the whatever, you know, I'm glad I'm fading this stuff out of my brain, but thanks for reminding me. But in this episode, Kelly was always the cool girl, whatever, you know, and something I don't remember exactly what went on, but I remember this part and this could have destroyed me had obviously I not maybe got into the scriptures in my twenties, but she said, I'm a very forgiving person. Something that Zach did. I don't remember what he did. I don't know if you spread some, some stuff about her, but she said in one of these shows, I'm a very forgiving person, but this is going to take a very long time for me to forgive Zach. And I'm thinking to myself, huh, it doesn't seem right. Shouldn't we just forgive and forget, but I'm thinking, well, maybe it's not a big deal to hold a grudge. Maybe it's not a big thing to just kind of like, remember things and not let them go so early. Maybe we should kind of just wait and see what happens before we give our forgiveness, but that's not how God does business. God said, forgive and forget. Somebody comes to you, you forgive them, you move on and have a lifestyle of forgiving. And the reason I bring this up is because yes, Matthew 18 has to do with disciplining people. And in our church throughout the years, I've been there 10 years. People have been disciplined, you know, from even my first year, people have been told to leave because it got backslidden and started to be railers and the pastor had to kick them out. But when they came back, I don't know, I'm not trying to be a holier than now, but I was happy to see them back. You know, they're allowed to come back and I'm like, great. And now some are serving the more very well, you know, but even recent, it was like, whoa, what's going on? You know, people obviously messed up and they came back. And when I saw them, I'm like, wow, other people were like, whoa, you know, I'm like, well, what's the problem? Well, what am I supposed to do situation? What does the Bible say? You know, if he says, I'm sorry, seven times 77, that's what you should be doing. You know, you should be forgiving and ready to pardon and move on. And that's what I saw. So this individual back and I'm like, wow, he's back. Well, great. You know, hate to see people's lives be destroyed, but other people weren't like that. I'm like, wow. Other people like, whoa, what's going on? You know, well, we're trying to fix his life. Let's just rejoice. He's back. You know, let's just move on. Let's just forgive. Why? Because that's what God wants me to do. Forgive and forget and cover transgressions. Why? Because I'm seeking love. So take it to the bank. When you start spreading people's dirt, you start bringing up their background. Hey, something's wrong with you and you're not being loving. You're not. And remember an ungodly person is the person that's digging up dirt, trying to figure out ways to bring other people's down so they can make themselves look good. And it's usually people that have exposed now they're trying to figure out how can I bring this person down so I can get credibility back. But in the end, everything that happens in your life is a reflection of what you're doing or you're failing to do. If we if we look at the promises of God, nothing can stop you, you know, but you. You're the main key factor as to whether your life goes good or bad. If you fear the Lord, God's going to protect you. He's going to bless you. If you're in sin, hey, he's going to unleash the devil on you. It's just what the Bible teaches. So when we start blaming others and we can't forget this person because this person did this and he messed up my life. I don't I don't see it that way. You know, I don't see it that way. That's not what Ruth said. Hey, you know what? My husband is dead. You know, it's like, what's going on? Is my my mother in law? You know, we should have got out of here earlier. Nope. She just say, you know what? I'm just going to stick with the Lord. You know, whatever happened happened. I'm just going to stick with the Lord, move forward. And that's what we should be just like Christ. I mean, think about it. He's crucified. He's been mocked. He's been spit on. You know, he's been ridiculed. And yet he said, Father, forgive, forgive them for they know not what they do. They know not what they do. And that's how we should be as well. Being like Christ, having a lifestyle, a lifestyle of forgiving people. Amen. Let's pray. Dear God, we thank you so much for all that you've done. Lord, just help us to remember how much you've done for us, how much you've forgiven us, how many mistakes we've made there, Father. And I can't imagine that it's in the hundreds. I'm assuming it's going to be in the thousands if we really stop and look at, you know, how your word describes sin as being just a thought of foolishness or lust or whatever the case may be. Pride, arrogance, even having a prideful look is an abomination unto you. And your Father, we're guilty of a lot of sins, but your Lord, help us to remember you've forgiven us for all those sins. And you want us to do right and continue to do right. And Lord, just help us to just forgive people, you know, who have offended us, help us to just be these individuals that are ready to forgive and move on. And not only that, help others to grow and continue, Lord, regardless of what the past has been. And the reason why we don't get to this stage is because we're immature, but help us to be like Job, help us to be perfect, help us to be complete, help us to grow, help us to know what to do. And we ask you to just help us to be forgiven people. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. The last song tonight turned to page 389. 389. far from the shepherds wandering bring them out in the desert hear their cry out on the mountain wild and high heart if the master speaks to thee go find my sheep where'er they be bring them in bring them in bring them in from the fields of sin bring them in bring them in bring the wandering ones to Jesus Amen. You're dismissed.