I'm Sorry | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

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MESSAGE NOTES:

Sermon: I’m Sorry

Luke 15

Locution - Illocution - Perlocution

Literal - Intent - Received

Apologizing

The relationship between apologies and forgiveness. Forgiveness plays a huge role in our healing. Surprisingly few stories in bible about apologizing. Worth noting, You shouldn’t wait for an apology to forgive. Forgiveness is part of the process of being free from the hurt.

Noted in bible there are a lot of stories of people apologizing to God but no the ones they hurt.

Read 2 Samuel 12:1-13

2 Samuel 12:13 Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Are there any instances in the Bible where somebody apologized?

Jacob and Esau (Genesis 33)

Joseph’s brother…bitter tears

Peter…wept bitterly

Paul & Barnabas (Acts 15)…Bring him to me (II Timothy 4)

Zaccheus… (Luke 19) if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back 4x as much!”

Jesus told us a story in the bible with the textbook apology.

Parable of the lost son

Luke 15:11-32

[Luke 15:17] When he finally came to his senses… (He became aware)

[Luke 15:18-19] I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you… (he practiced an apology)

Look at the difference between that and what David had said in 2 Samuel.

Worthy to think about, you cannot sin against someone else and not sin against God. Look at what Jesus says in Matthew

[Matthew 5:23-24]

So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Read Matthew 22:37-39

Notice the relation to the great commandment. 1st love God with all your heart.., Second “which is Like the 1st” meaning equal to, love your neighbor as you love yourself..

[Numbers 5:6-7]

If any of the people—men or women—betray the Lord by doing wrong to another person, they are guilty. 7 They must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done…

Starts with acknowledgement that if I hurt you, I hurt God.

Now lets go back to the parable [Luke 15:18-19]

I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

An apology is an opportunity to right a wrong.

An apology is an opportunity to participate in someones healing.

[James 5:16]

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed…DISCUSSION

[Luke 15:20-22]

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

The father gives this amazing grace and looks at what the father says to the older brother.

[Luke 15:31]

…Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.

5 Elements of a Great Apology

Jim Seibold PhD

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

CLEARLY STATE WHAT YOU'RE APOLOGIZING FOR.

FOCUS ON IMPACT INSTEAD OF INTENT.

STATE WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO IN THE FUTURE.

ASK FOR, BUT DO NOT DEMAND FORGIVENESS.

QUESTIONS:

QUESTION 1:
When have you apologized in your life and felt a healing from it?

QUESTION 2:
When have you been apologized to and how did that impact you?

QUESTION 3:

Is there someone or something you need to apologize for in your life?

GUIDED PRAYER:

God thank you for your faithfulness and grace. God thank you for the truths you speak over our lives. God help us be intentional on how we apologize. Lord I pray that you would fuel a fire in our hearts to be a part of peoples healing through our words. Thank you God. we love you, praise you, and worship you. In Jesus name - amen.

One ChurchNovember 14, 2023