The Need to Forgive Matthew 18: 24-35

Read the passage: Matthew 18

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+18&version=ASV

Comes from: 

V 24 1) Realizing we had a debt greater than we could pay 

(one was brought unto him, who owed him ten thousand talents) 

v 25 2) Realizing we had nothing with which to purchase what was freely given to us. 

( … he had nothing with which to pay, .…) 

Were it not for mercy we would not be able to claim freedom from debt. 

V 26 3) An appeal for mercy and worship are the only appropriate responses for one so indebted. 

v 27 4) To one with so great a need, forgiveness is such a generous gift. 

(then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.) 

v 28-30 5) A forgiven one is to likewise show grace and mercy toward others. 

(and he would not, … till he should pay the debt.) 

v 31-34 6) Forgiveness is not really received until it can be given in return. 

(. .… his lord was angry and delivered him to the inquisitors, … ) 

v 35 7) God's standard of forgiveness is a believer's response. 

(so likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you, … ) 

Golden Conduct Matthew 7: 1-12

Read the passage: Matthew 7

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+7&version=ASV

vs. 1,2 1) Because God is so accurate in judgment a believer should be very cautious in conduct. 

vs. 3, 2) Because a believer is in such great need of God's mercy he should be generous in giving

     4       mercy. 

              (the beam) 

vs. 6 3) Because unbelievers give such a testimony of ungodliness, believers should take great care to    

             establish and maintain a testimony of Godliness. 

vs. 8 4) Because God is so good to all, a believer should desire others to gain God’s  goodness. 

vs. 9- 5) Because God is so gracious in giving, a believer should likewise be gracious in giving. 

  11

vs. 12 6) The esteem a believer has for others becomes the boundary of esteem he may expect from

               others. 

vs. 12 7) God has a regulatory system of justness over His children and guides them by His ways. 

              (for this is the law and the prophets) 

The Giver Jude 25

Read the passage: Jude

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jude+1&version=ASV

from viewpoint of God: 

1) Knows exactly what is best 

(to the only wise God)

2) Reserves no price too great 

(our Savior) 

3) Gives something you can't pay for 

(our Savior) 

4) Gives a union and purpose beyond your capacities 

(be glory and majesty) 

5) Gives sufficient authority in life both now and forever (dominion and power) 

6) Gives that which cannot be refuted nor withdrawn. 

(both now and forever) 

7) Gives that which knows no end 

(and forever, Amen) 

God's People Facing Great Needs Joshua 17: 14-18

Read the passage: Joshua 17

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua+17&version=ASV

v.14 1. God’s great blessings result in great needs.

(I am a great people forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto.)

Great blessings bring great responsibilities.

v.15 2. Great needs require great faith and great works of faith.

(…get thee up to the forest area, and cut down for thyself …of the giants)

v.15,3. Great faith is able to overcome great obstacles.

   16 (giants)  (chariots of iron)

v.16 4. Great faith is accompanied by great visions of understanding.

(The hill is not enough for us)

able to see growth

v.16 5. Great visions require great undertakings.

(the Canaanites that dwell in the land …)

See an enemy to overcome; enemy must be routed.

v.17 6. Great undertakings require great power.

(have chariots of iron, …have great power)

v.18 7. Great power gains great victory.

(thou shalt drive out the Canaanites though they have iron chariots, and

though they are strong.)

Lessons from the Jordan Joshua 3: 1-9, 18

Read the passage: Joshua 3

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua+3&version=ASV

The Jordan river was clearly identifiable.  Josh. 3: 1 "came to Jordan, …and lodged there before they passed over."  They were on the side of the Jordan for the purpose of crossing over.

ark of covenant- evidence of God's presence; God's authority, 

priests carrying the ark- evidence of God's moving-direction

God's people are to stand upon God's authority.

God does the impossible- dividing the waters.

v.1 1. God brought his people to the Jordan.  God initiated.

(… and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children

                of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.)

v.3- 2. God gave His word of authority

(And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant

                of the Lord your God, …)

v.3,43. God gave instruction to be followed.

(…then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a 

space between you and it, …)

v.16 4. God parted the water (did the impossible)- while His people were in place at the 

Jordan.

(That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon a heap

                very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down 

                toward the sea of the plain, even the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off: and the

                people passed over right against Jericho.)  

v.17 5. God sent His people across.

(And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry 

ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, 

until all the people were passed clean over  Jordan.)

God wanted His people to have the land.

v.16 6. God asked permission of no man.

(That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon heap 

…and the people passed over right against Jericho)

v.10 7. God takes care of the enemies.

(And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and 

                that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and …)

v.14-8. The believer cannot get over the Jordan river by himself, but must be divinely

                 escorted.  

   17 (And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over

                Jordan, and: And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests

                that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, …That the waters which came down 

                from above …)

4: 9. The Jordan becomes a reminder of God's greatness and goodness forever. 

 5-8 (And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord you God into

                the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his 

                shoulder, according unto the number or the tribes of the children of Israel: …)

God established the means of reminder.

4: 10. God leaves His reminder in place.  

9, 18 (And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the

                feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this 

                day.)

Characteristics of God's Sheep Psalms 23

Read the passage: Psalms 23

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+23&version=ASV

v 1 1) belong to the shepherd

      2)  follow the shepherd

      3)  contentment

v 2  4)  well nurtured  (fed)

      5)  peaceful

v.3  6)  restored mind, will and emotions

      7)  righteous living

      8)  testimony to God

v 4  9) no fear; fear is not their motivator

      10)  willing to go wherever Jess leads

      11)  accompanied by God’s presence

      12)  comforted by God’s presence

 v 5 13)  favored by God

      14) loved

      15)  needs met

      16)  protected

      17)  abundant graces

v 6 18) 19)  goodness and mercy inseparable from

     20)  a walk with Jesus on earth

     21)  a future with Jesus assured in heaven

Believer Go On Ephesians 6: 14-18

Read the passage: Ephesians 6

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6&version=ASV

1. Enjoy the Lord.

2. Focus on God's greatness.

v.14 3. Live by truth.

(having your loins girt about with truth,)

v.14 4. Serve the Lord faithfully.

(and having on the breastplate of righteousness.)

v.15 5. Share the good news with the lost.

(And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;)

v.16 6. Occupy in faith.

(Above all, taking the shield of faith...)

v.17 7. Rejoice in your salvation.

(And take the helmet of salvation,)

v.17 8. Love God's word fully.

(and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.)

v.18 9. Stay in close communion with God.

(Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, ...)

10. Walk in victory.

From Joseph's Life-The Treasure of God's Favor Genesis 37-50

37: 5     1) It is a gift of God.

37: 5     2)  It is more than possessions, more than the favor of man.

37: 5      3) It may not be encumbered or impaired.

37:27     4) It may not be stolen away.

39: 2,3   5) It is God’s protection during trial and testing.   (God is with you.)

39:3,22 6) It is a God given quality recognized by others as well.

39:23-  7) It provides enduring strength when the wait upon God is prolonged..

40: 1-7) 8) It is greater than all errors that may accumulate against you.

                 Brethren, Ishmaelites, Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife, butler, …

40: 8-   9) It is God’s hand which opens the door to faith and holds it open while the child of God

 41   passes through.   

40:12-  10) It is God's wisdom that provides accurate interpretation of difficult unknowns and

                 counsel to one’s own heart as well.

40: 15-11) It is God’s balance to the inequalities of men..

40: 23 12) It is God’s remembrance never failing though man’s remembrance is short or  man’s

                 intentions are found powerless..

41       13)       It is a means by which God exhibits his rule over men.

41       14)       It is fellowship with God guaranteed and affirmed in Gods time. 

41: 16 15) It is a means by which God is revealed as God.

41: 28 16) It is privileged communication letting God’s servant know what is forthcoming.

41: 37 16) It is validation of God’s shepherding care for His people.

41: 1517) It is God’s readiness when faith’s door is open 

41: 32 18) It is the servant’s assurance God fulfills His will and word.

41: 41 19) It is the understanding that God is the one in charge of the servant’s progressive

                 assignments.

41: 54 20) It is God’s provision in times of little.

42: -   21) It is God’s extension preserving all His own people.

43: 34 22) It is the illustration of God’s plenteous blessing.

44       23) It is revealed through the grace of restraint.

45: 5   24) It is the stable substance of ministry; enabling Godly service. 

45: 7   25) It is the measure of God’s great deliverance.

45:18  26) It is sufficient for the entire family of God.

45: 26 27) It overcomes the believer’s fears and doubts, and other offenses against God.

46       28) It is not restricted by geographical location

46:29  29) It is the substance in which love flows freely..

47: 27 30) It is of unlimited expression.

48: 4   31) It is the pathway upon which Gods people travel from generation to generation.

49: 25 32) It is a way of continual blessing, affirming the secure relationship in covenant with

                Jesus. (as pictured through the old testament) (Joseph is a type of Christ)

50       33) It accompanies the servant all his days upon earth.

50: 19 34) It allows God’s servant to walk in the liberty wherein he has been set free.

50: 23 35) It is the security for the following generations of faith.

Some ways we know of the reality of God’s favor.

1) God’s character reveals it.

2) God’s faithfulness validates it.

3) The greatness of the believer’s need is continually apparent.

4) It is founded upon God’s work in redemption;  It is the heart of God’s saving grace.

5) The gifts of the Spirit reveal it.

6) The heart of ministry requires it.

7) Ones experiencing the  trial of evil are comforted by it.