Forgiveness

Jenn gives prophetic words to two people in the audience. 

In this life, people are going to hurt you.

• Inner healing story - forgiveness causes the shedding of emotional “weight”
• Jenn’s journey through seven years of bitterness and unforgiveness
• Ask “Holy Spirit, what lies have I been believing?”
• Repent for believing the lies that you have believed
• “Sometimes, even in family, to love them well means to let them go.”

The power of letting go

• The back and forth of mental chatter, torment, and regret that haunt the mind
• The importance of being mothered and fathered by leaders and being corrected
• In moments of weakness, torment, or anger, stop. Don’t try to think it through. Instead, speak in tongues.
• When we speak in tongues, it’s a spirit to Spirit connection. Speaking in tongues got Jenn through the season of bitterness, torment, and unforgiveness.

A big part of unforgiveness is confrontation. 

• Colossians 3:13
• Maybe you’re offended at a person, a people group, or an organization. Offense doesn’t have limits.
• Sometimes people just won’t like you.
• 70X7 - Keep forgiving.
• Ephesians 4:29-32 - And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them. The Holy Spirit of God has sealed you in Jesus Christ until you experience your full salvation. So never grieve the Spirit of God or take for granted his holy influence in your life. Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.
• Unforgiveness makes you bitter and weird.

Identify who you need to forgive. 

• Sit down, ask Holy Spirit, and write down each name
• Holy Spirit will show you who to talk to and what to say
• Forgiveness will cause your lens to change and how you see situations and people
• Hard conversations will require courage

Offense: “A worship team is a family that you don’t get to pick”

• Don’t let things fester
• Story: Kari Jobe Carnes and the issue of lateness
• As a worship leader, you’re going to be the one to initiate brave communication and you’ve got to be the one who’s able to receive brave communication from others

Jesus offended people. 

• The people who enable people are the people who are hiding in their own sin
• Speak the truth in love! 
• You have the opportunity to be offended by everyone and everything everyday
• Offense is “a fence” that you need to step over
• Standing with people for righteousness against sin and evil versus joining an offense party
• Matthew 18:21-22  - Later Peter approached Jesus and said, “How many times do I have to forgive my fellow believer who keeps offending me? Seven times?” Jesus answered, “Not seven times, Peter, but seventy times seven times!”

The steps to freedom: 

• Have brave communication
• Forgive 
• Speak in tongues
• “Don’t assume you know someone’s heart” - Bill Johnson
• The same grace you show to others is the same grace that you need. No one is perfect and everyday we each need grace.

Jenn’s Prayer and Closing

• The Lord is removing labels. 
• The theme of this worship school is “The Originals” 
• Have fun with us, God! 
• Homework: Go home, sit with God, and forgive!