2019-07-28: The Trouble with Forgiveness by Max Oates

This week Pastor Max continues the series Restored-The Pathway to a Healthy Soul with a sermon titled The Trouble with Forgiveness focusing on Micah 7:18-20.

Timeline:
07:36 - Forgiveness requires the impossible
13:59 - Forgiveness requires time
22:49 - Forgiveness requires identification
30:04 - Forgiveness proclaims the Gospel

Questions
Micah 7:18-20
ICEBREAKER: Has anyone ever shown you mercy? What happened, and how did it make you feel?
1. The minor prophet, Micah, lamented the many social ills of his day in Micah 7:1-6. Do you notice any parallels to today? Yet, he shared his hope in God’s restoration in Micah 7:7-17. Are you maintaining your hope in this chaotic world? How?
2. Micah 7:18 begins with a question that expects the answer: “No one!” How do we know that God is unlike every other so-called “god”? What sets Him apart, according to this text as well as Numbers 14:18, 1 Kings 14:18, and Isaiah 55:7?
3. Micah celebrates the forgiveness of the Lord in Micah 7:18 by writing that our God “pardons iniquity” and “passes over transgression”. What does this indicate about the reality of our offences, and the greatness of God’s grace?
4. How do you reconcile the anger of God and the love of God [Micah 7:18]? Consider Exodus 34:6-7, Jeremiah 3:12-14, and Nehemiah 9:16-17 in your response.
5. Mercy is the withholding of punishment or judgment that one deserves [Micah 7:19]. How has God shown you mercy? How can you show mercy to others [cf. Matthew 5:7, Matthew 9:9-13, and Matthew 18:23-35]?
6. What are appropriate responses to God’s willingness to forgive us our sins [cf. Psalm 103:8-14, Matthew 18:21-22, Mark 11:25, Luke 7:44-47, and Ephesians 4:32]?
7. What did you find helpful or challenging about this Sunday’s message?

“Forgiveness is the economy of the heart. Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits.” (Hannah More)