Fresh Start! Forgiveness Sermon IV

Fresh Start!  Forgiveness in Scripture:  Sermon IV  “Jacob”

Imagine

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. -- Genesis 50:15-17

1.  Jacob remembered what it felt like to be forgiven!

4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” -- Genesis 33:4-5

*****Teachings of Jesus that Jacob understood before Jesus taught them!*****

1.  Jacob forgave his sons and wished no ill will upon them, even though they had done great evil to him!

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. -- Matthew 5:38-39

III.  Jacob prayed for his sons and begged forgiveness on their behalf!

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. -- Matthew 5:43-45

Let us pray that we, by the power of The Holy Spirit, can be like Jacob!