The document discusses the importance of unconditional support and acceptance among individuals, emphasizing that forgiveness is crucial for spiritual growth and relational health. It warns against bitterness as a harmful poison that affects both the individual and their relationships, encouraging readers to choose forgiveness instead. The narrative illustrates the concept of forgiveness through parables, highlighting that the grace one receives from God should compel them to extend grace to others.

2. A REWIND OF THE
SERIES SO FAR
“S - A - F - E - L - Y”

3. SUPPORT

4. We must support each other
unconditionally, tangibly
& continually

5. Help carry each other’s burdens. In this
way you will follow Christ’s teachings.
(Galatians 6:2 – God’s Word Translation)

6. ACCEPTANCE

7. Because Jesus accepted
you,
you must accept others

8. Christ accepted you, so you should
accept each other, which will
bring glory to God.
(Romans 15:7 – New Century Version)

9. BITTERNESS OR
FORGIVENESS
WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?

10. Bitterness is like drinking
rat poison and waiting
for the rat to die.
(John Ortberg)

11. BITTERNESS =
PIKRIA (GREEK)

12. Anger or disappointment
because of another person,
resentment

13. Watch out that no poisonous root of
bitterness grows up to trouble you . . .
(Hebrews 12:15 – New Living Translation)

14. Banish bitterness, rage and anger,
shouting and slander, and any and all
malicious thoughts—these are poison.
(Ephesians 4:21 – The Voice)

15. By all means don’t brag about being
wise and good if you are bitter . . .
that is the worst sort of lie.
(James 3:14 – Living Bible)

16. PERSONAL COST:

17. Bitterness is a poison and it
will always harm you

18. RELATIONAL COST:

19. Bitterness is a cancer and it
will spread to everyone

20. SPRIRITUAL COST:

21. Bitterness is a sin and it will
lead you away from God

22. Do not seek revenge or hold a grudge
against anyone. Instead, love your
neighbor as you love yourself.
(Leviticus 19:18 – The Voice)

23. You can become bitter or
you can become better –
it’s your choice.
And forgiveness is the key.

24. MY STORY
Dennis Rearden

25. FORGIVENESS =
CHARIZOMAI (GREEK)

26. Freely show favor to, to grant
pardon, extend kindness,
unconditional mercy

27. Forgive one another as quickly
and thoroughly as God in Christ
forgave you.
(Ephesians 4:32 – The Message)

28. Try to understand other people. Forgive
each other. If you have something
against someone,
forgive him. That is the way
the Lord forgave you.
(Colossians 3:13 – New Life Version)

29. But if anyone has caused harm . . .
I encourage you to offer him
the grace of forgiveness . . .

30. So instead of continuing to ostracize
him, I urge you to demonstrate
your love for him once again.
(2 Corinthians 2:5-8 – The Voice)

31. Forgiveness is remembering
how much you’ve
been forgiven

32. The kingdom of God is like a king who
decided to square accounts with his
servants. One servant was brought
before him who had run up a debt of
a hundred thousand dollars.

33. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered
the man, along with his wife, children,
and goods, to be auctioned off at the
slave market. “The poor wretch threw
himself at the king’s feet and begged,

34. ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all
back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let
him off, erasing the debt. “The servant
was no sooner out of the room when he
came upon one of his fellow servants
who owed him ten dollars.

35. He seized him by the throat and
demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’ “The
poor wretch threw himself down and
begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay
it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it.

36. He had him arrested and put in jail until
the debt was paid. When the other
servants saw this going on,
they were outraged and brought a
detailed report to the king. “The king
summoned the man and said,

37. ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire
debt when you begged me for mercy.
Shouldn’t you be compelled to be
merciful to your fellow servant who
asked for mercy?’

38. ‘The king was furious and put the
screws to the man until he paid back
his entire debt.

39. And that’s exactly what my Father
is going to do to each one of you
who doesn’t forgive unconditionally
anyone who asks for mercy.
(Matthew 18:23-34 – The Message)

40. Forgiveness is relinquishing
your right to get even

41. Forgiveness is repeating the
process as long as
necessary

42. Forgiven people forgive people.
That is the starting point for
genuine forgiveness. If you
don’t feel forgiven,

43. you won’t want to forgive
anybody else. If you’re hard on
yourself, you’re going to be
hard on others. But the more
grace you receive from God,

44. the more gracious you’re
going to be to others. The more
forgiven you feel by God,
the more forgiving you’ll be
toward others.

45. How can you tell when you’ve
really forgiven somebody?
When you can look at that
person’s hurt and not just your
own and pray for God to bless

46. him or her. You ask, “How could
I ever do that for the person
who’s hurt me?” You can’t
unless you allow the love of
God to penetrate your life.

47. Only the love of God can help
you do something like that.

49. Let’s Pray