I. First dimension – with God (1 Jn. 1:9)

     Confession must be: Honest
                                  Specific
                                  Continual
                                  Complete

II. Second dimension – with others   (Mt. 5:21-26)

     a) why seek reconciliation?

        1) to remove the burden of guilt.
        2) to be right with God.
        3) to be a witness to others.

     b) the extent of our reconciliation

         "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."  Romans 12:18

     c)  the scope of our reconciliation

I.  How we know we have forgiven?

Definition of forgiveness:  “When we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemies mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them.”    Thomas Chalmers

(Rom. 12:19, 1 Thess. 5:15, Lk. 6:28, Prov. 24:17, Mt. 5:44, Rom. 12:18, Rom. 12:20)

      b) forgiveness does not mean an absence of consequences.

II. Why we must forgive:

      a) we have been forgiven much.  (vs. 24-27, 33)

      b) our life depends on it.  (vs. 34, Mt. 6:14-15)

III. God’s desire:

      to be a community of forgiven people who forgive.

INTRODUCTION

*    Thanksgiving is about more than a turkey dinner...

*    Thanksgiving is giving thanks to God…

Ephesians 5:20, “…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything (all things) in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

*   Nehemiah 12:23-24

II. WHY SHOULD WE GIVE THANKS?
      Psalm 95:1-7, Psalm 50:9-12, John 15:27, Acts 1:8…

III. WHAT KIND OF THANKSGIVINGS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD?
      Leviticus 22:29, Psalm 95:1-2, Psalm 69:30-31, Ezra 3:10-13…

EXHORTATION

*  Ephesians 5:20, “…always giving thanks to God the father for everything IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.”

RESPONSE/INVITATION

I.    The Call to Be Pure
       A. God calls all Christians to be Pure.
       B. The World We Live in Today.
       C. God Provides the Means, Resources, Power to Remain Pure.
       D. The Joy of Moral Freedom vs. Agony, Despair, and Defeat.

II. The Process of Falling
      A. The Gradual Descent.
      B. An Example.
      C. The Problems.

III. The Risks of Falling
      A. Loss of Vital Relationship with God.
      B. Slave to Self and Sin.
      C. Destroys your Witness.  Jeopardizes so much.

IV. The Impact on Everyone
      A. Marriages.
      B. Families.
      C. Friends, Colleagues, the Workplace, School, College, etc.
      D. Fellow Believers.

V. The Road to Recovery
      A. Prevention.
      B. Steps: Obedience is Key.
      C. Get Help: Don’t try to do this alone.
      D. The Process of Healing.

VI. The Joy of Moral Freedom
      A. Rightly Related to God.  Freedom in Christ!
      B. More Benefits.
      C. Relationally Open.