Talk

Father Forgive Them

Ben Stuart
November 15, 2015

In this talk, Ben Stuart shares how we can love our enemies in light of the increasingly hostile world.

1.    We are called to love and forgive our enemies.

2.    Luke 23:33 shows us why we should be motivated to love our enemies.

  • Jesus could Forgive because he had the comfort and confidence of knowing that God is His father.

    • It is insecurity that is a seed of hostility.

  • Your enemies are spiritually blind.

  • To see that someone is captive to sin calls for empathy.

  • Love brings life change.

    • God’s love can change us.

“
“It’s not just our confidence in God that gives us the ability to forgive, it’s compassion for them. It’s compassion for them because I know they are blind captives.”
”
Ben Stuart

Discussion Questions

  1. Who do you need to forgive?
  2. How is withholding your forgiveness from someone keeping you from a closer relationship with God?

Scripture References

4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
33When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
34Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “
Abba,
Father.”
7So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Ben Stuart
Ben Stuart
Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. He also earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime.