Mark 11:24-26 – Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses (KJV).
Jesus not only taught forgiveness; He practiced it. Upon the cross of Calvary he prayed, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). Not only did He practice forgiveness; He taught it. In the model prayer of Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus stated that we should forgive our debtors as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Once Peter came to Christ and asked how often should a person forgive another. He thought he would be generous so he suggested, “seven times?” The Jewish custom only prescribed three times. Jesus told him not just seven, but seventy times seven (490 times). This meant once every three minutes. In other words, Jesus was telling Peter that a person should live in perpetual forgiveness. A bear and a skunk were seen during a flood floating on a bale of hay together. The lesson: You never know who you will have to buddy up with when trouble comes! The person to whom you refuse to forgive actually controls your thoughts and your life.

Jesus told a parable in Matthew 18 about a servant who owed a king 10,000 talents. A talent was equivalent to seventy five pounds. It was the total weight a man could normally carry (2 Kings 5:23). Ten thousand talents would be 750,000 pounds or 375 tons. If the price of gold were around $300 per ounce a talent of gold would be worth about $360,000. This servant would owe his master nearly 4 billion dollars. He begged forgiveness and the king promptly forgave him.

Going home he discovered that one of his servants owed him one hundred denarii. A denarius was approximately equal to a laborer’s daily wage. One hundred denarii would equal about four thousand dollars. That is a lot of money to me but in comparison to his debt to the king the debt owed the servant was miniscule. However, he seized his mortgagee and demanded that he pay up. Upon hearing of the unforgiveness of his servant the king became incensed that the servant would not himself forgive after having received forgiveness himself.

It is important that we realize Jesus was not referring to unbelievers in this story. The servant (of the king) had his debt forgiven (salvation) but he would not forgive a fellow servant. One of the most stern statements of the New Testament is seen in verses 32-35 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. WHAT A POWERFUL STATEMENT!

Once John Wesley was conversing with an army general when word was brought of a soldier found in minor disobedience. When the subject of forgiving came up the general said, “I never forgive.” Wesley responded, “Then, I hope, sir, that you never sin.”

The first key to living in forgiveness is to daily practice the presence of Christ. No wrong to us can ever compare to the things Christ had to face. If anyone had a right to destroy his enemies it should have been Christ. But he forgave. So should we. In sharing the signs of the final days, Paul wrote in Second Timothy that perilous times will come. For men will be…unforgiving…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (3:1-2). Notice he is not speaking about the lost living in unforgiveness but those of the church who have a form of godliness. It is important that we note that a form of religion and unforgiveness walk hand in hand. The only way to keep from having a form of godliness is to practice the presence of Christ daily. This means following his example in all things, including forgiveness. Second Corinthians 5:8 tells us that God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and then, He gave to us the ministry of reconciliation.

Second, we should develop a heart that is understanding of others. This does not mean that we understand why people act the way they do but we should endeavor to put ourselves into the other person’s shoes. There are often several external and internal issues that cause people to bring injury to others. Learn to look beyond the offense and love the person who has offended you. When Joseph’s brothers bowed before him in Genesis he tried to act as if he did not know them. Eventually, he could restrain himself no longer and began to weep so loudly that even the Egyptians heard him (45:1). In the 50/20 principle Joseph pointed out to them that his understanding brought him to realize that God’s plan had been enacted.

Third, we should immediately forgive when first feeling the tinge of bitterness or injury. The longer a person waits the more difficult it will be to forgive. A hidden grudge is like a termite: It eats and destroys when we hide it but when brought to light, it dries up and dies. That is why forgiveness should be a lifestyle, not an act. Forgiveness is therapeutic for the individual who has been wronged. It is also a bridge to reconciliation.  Hebrews 12:15  speaks of a root of bitterness springing up into our life and troubling us. One of the most remarkable things said about Abraham Lincoln was his heart that had no room for the memory of a wrong. When a person says, “I will forgive but will not forget,” they are saying “I can overlook a wrong but I am not really forgiving the injury.”

Fourth, after you have forgiven refuse to speak in negative terms about the situation or the person who wronged you. This is so tough. Someone else will talk to us about their problem and, strangely, it resembles ours so before we know it, we are discussing the wrong that was imposed upon us. In fact, you have to purposely find something positive to say about the offender to overcome this inclination. I was amazed several years ago to see Richard Nixon standing beside Hubert Humphrey’s widow at his funeral. I knew that they had been lifelong bitter enemies in the political arena. Later, when questioned about his actions Nixon responded that at the twilight of life all of the battles that people fight are petty in the light of eternity. He went on to say that he and Humphrey had been reconciled before Humphrey’s death.

The 50/20 Principle reminds us that we are all human beings in need of forgiveness ourselves. And Jesus said that the measure of our heavenly Father’s forgiveness will be meted according to our forgiveness of those who have offended us.

A. To know what you can expect in the future, just take a look at what God has already done.

B. Along with your own personal history, you also have the history of God’s great Church at your disposal.

C. Men have tried to destroy the Church, but they do not have the power. Instead they discovered the reservoir of His resources, resources so great that they have never fully been received.

D. The Book of Acts is not the last chapter in Church history; it is only the first chapter! In Acts . . .

   1. Saul, the Archenemy of the Church becomes Paul, the foremost Apostle.
   2. Idols fell beneath the tread of marching feet.
   3. Pagan philosophies were nipped in bud.
   4. Deacons preached the gospel with more results then some of us who pastor enjoy today. Strongholds of Satan were rooted out.
   5. At the Ephesian book burning, $32,000.00 of ungodly occult literature was destroyed.

E. Through the first century the Roman Empire was literally shaken off its hinges by the might of this great Church.

   1. Chrysostom, who was known as “the golden- mouthed,” preached as few men have ever done. As an aged martyr being burned at the stake, he said to the young man lighting the fire, “Feel my pulse, I’m calmer than you.”
   2. From 500 to 1500 AD the Roman Church ruled.
   3. Then rose up Martin Luther, a little-known Catholic priest doing penance in Rome.

F. THEN CAME THE ERA OF GREAT PREACHERS.

   1. John Wesley, the great Methodist preacher, burned like a flame for God.
   2. Charles Wesley, his brother was also a preacher and hymn writer.
   3. John Knox who cried “Give me Scotland or I die.”
   4. Jonathan Edwards whose sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” still brings results today.
   5. Charles G. Finney, one of the most dynamic preachers who ever lived.
   6. Charles H. Spurgeon who said to a group of ministers, “If things keep going as they are, I’m afraid we will have to shorten our sermons to two and one-half (2 1/2 hours).”

G. At the turn of the 20th Century , the Church turned a page in its history, and the first words recorded were in a supernatural language as the Holy Ghost was poured out anew and fresh upon waiting hearts.

   1. From the obscure mansion turned into a schoolhouse in Topeka, Kansas, to the hungry heart of an African-American preacher on Azusa Street in Los Angeles.
   2. From the Dakotas to Carolinas.
   3. From California West Coast to New York East Coast.
   4. From the North to the South and
   5. around the world and back again.

H. Over the miles and through the years the history of the Church has come, until it has been laid upon our doorstep. Now God intends for us to leave our footprints on the pages of Church history.

A. Majestic is the only word that describes the future of this great Church because it has to do with Kings and Priests, Rulers and Authority.

B. We are headed some place.

   1. God has plans for us.
   2. Rewards are awaiting us.
   3. Heaven awaits us.
   4. Worship awaits us.
   5. Joy awaits us.

All that God has ever planned for His Church, all that we have ever dreamed of, all that we have ever fought for is now starting to come into view in the glorious sunrise of Eternity.

While we are waiting for these things to take place, the Lord of the Church gives us just enough JOY to keep us happy in a world of distress and upheaval and just enough SORROW to keep us humble, human and compassionate. He gives us just enough to LEISURE so we can relax and dream a little; just enough WORK, so we won’t rust or grow state. Not only this, He gives us just enough HOPE to carry us over the mountains of life and CHRIST HIMSELF to keep us satisfied.

C. If you want to know beyond a doubt that you share in this Church and it’s majestic destiny, all you have to do is:

   1. Go by the tent of Abraham and get some FAITH.
   2. Go on the backside of the mount with Moses and get PREPARATION.
   3. Go sit in sackcloth and ashes with Job and get PATIENCE.
   4. Go up Mount Carmel with Elijah and get some FIRE.
   5. Plow through the Word of God, stop long enough on the

Jericho road for the Good Samaritan to show you how to have COMPASSION ON YOUR NEIGHBOR.

   1. Go to the dungeon with Paul and get some MISSIONARY ZEAL.
   2. Go to the Cross of Calvary to get some LOVE.
   3. Go to the empty tomb, and get some ETERNAL LIFE.
   4. Go into the Upper Room and get some HOLY GHOST.
   5. Go into your private prayer chamber and MIX IT ALL TOGETHER.

D. Then you will know from personal experience that you are a part of:

   1. The Church and it’s Miraculous Origin.
   2. The Church and it’s Mighty History.
   3. The Church and it’s Majestic Destiny.

Reverend Jack D. Barker is Presbyter of the Northern California District of the Pentecostal Church of God and pastor of Gospel Light Temple in Pacheco, California. He also served as East Texas District Superintendent for the Pentecostal Church of God for a number of years.
 I suppose there is something within each of us that takes pride in who we are, what we are, where we are from, etc. It’s exciting to look back to our family tree—- First name, No last name, Yes many names.

First, we must cast the line of righteousness. Micah 6:8 declares, He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Righteousness simply means “to do what is right.” But it is more than just an act; it is a lifestyle. I remember several years ago when my little son came to our car at the convenience store with a smile on his face. “Dad, the guy made a mistake and gave us five dollars in change instead of a dollar. How lucky we are!” I sent him back inside to correct the mistake. I wanted to model doing what was right to him.

Micah 6:8 is one of the most important verses in all of the Bible. Why? When your family observes you doing right, loving mercy and walking humbly it will make a major impact in their life. If a person desires to make a ship seaworthy they must do it while it is in the dry dock. Abraham Lincoln said, “There is just one way to bring up a child in the way he should go and that is to travel that way yourself.”

A father told his son, “you eat like a pig.” Realizing his son had never seen a pig before he said, “You do know what a pig is don’t you?” The little boy responded, “Yes sir! It’s a hog’s little boy.”

One little boy with a bad report card came to his father and said, “Here’s my report card. And here’s one of your old ones I found in the attic.”

Second, we must cast a line of spirituality. Micah 4:1-2 reads, But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

God forbid that our children know nothing of salvation because we have not taught them. If you do not have family altar don’t expect your children to grow up loving to pray. If you don’t keep the Bible out where your children can see you reading it don’t expect them to love the Word. If sports is more important to you than faithfulness to God’s house, don’t expect your kids to be faithful. YOU CAN’T PUSH YOUR FAMILY INTO HEAVEN; YOU WILL HAVE TO PULL THEM IN!

Third, we must hand our family a line of hope in Christ’ coming. Micah 5:2 reads, But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. This verse is the astonishing prediction that Jesus would come out of the tiny village of Bethlehem. Jesus was not born in the center of government, Rome. He was not born in the center of education, Athens. He was not even born in the center of religion, Jerusalem. He was born in the tiny village of Bethlehem. The hinge of history swings on a door of an old barn in the tiny hamlet of Bethlehem.

Our children should observe us “loving the appearing of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.” He is coming soon. For every one prophecy concerning the first coming of Christ there are eight about the second coming of Christ. Twenty three out of twenty seven books of the New Testament directly speak of the second coming of Christ.

He’s coming soon, He’s coming soon.
With joy we welcome His return,
It may be morn, it may be night or noon,
We know He’s coming soon.

On a party ship on the east coast a little boy fell overboard. A strong and healthy young man jumped overboard to rescue the child. “Throw me the rope,” came his cry. A rope was quickly tossed to the rescuer but much to their dismay no one had anchored the rope. That night two souls perished in an angry and turbulent sea because no one was holding the rope. Are you holding the rope for your children? Are you holding the rope for your co-workers? Are you holding the rope for your friends?