Lord’s Day 51

Reuben Bredenhof

We pray for the abundant gift of God’s grace.  We pray:

  1. Under the burden of our debt
  2. In the blood of our Saviour
  3. For the broadening of our gratitude

Scripture readings: Matthew 18:21-35, Colossians 2:1-15

Stephen ‘t Hart

The joy of forgiveness is for those who follow God’s pathway to pardon

  1. The joy of being forgiven
  2. The joy of being forgiving

Scripture readings: Psalm 32, Matthew 6:5-15

W. B. Slomp

Open your eyes when dealing with your own sins and the sins of others

Look carefully:

  1. At others
  2. At yourself
  3. At the Lord Jesus

Scripture reading: Luke 7:36-50

C. Bouwman

The disciples are taught to ask a compassionate God for forgiveness

  1. The circumstances around this petition
  2. The theology behind this petition
  3. The answer to this petition

Scripture readings: Luke 5:17-26, Luke 6:27-37, Luke 7:36-50

The Lord teaches us to ask for what he has promised: the forgiveness of sins

  1. The Old Testament background to this petition
  2. The New Testament fulfillment of this petition

Wes Bredenhof

Our Lord Jesus teaches us to pray for forgiveness

  1. The meaning of forgiveness
  2. The basis of forgiveness
  3. The practice of forgiveness

Scripture readings: Jeremiah 31:31-37, Matthew 18:21-35

Christ teaches God’s children to regularly pray to their Father for forgiveness

  1. We seek forgiveness from our Father
  2. We seek forgiveness as his forgiving children

Scripture readings: Matthew 7:1-12, Ephesians 4:17-32

C. Stam

The confession concerning the Lord’s instruction to pray for the forgiveness of sins

We ask for:

  1. Daily washing in the blood of Christ
  2. Daily renewal by the Spirit of Christ

Scripture reading: Matthew 18:15-35

B. Holwerda

The fifth petition is only acceptable to God when there is the right knowledge

  1. Of our need
  2. Of God’s requirement
  3. Of firm trust

Scripture reading: Psalm 51

K. Dijk

The petition for forgiveness

  1. Why we pray for forgiveness
  2. What we pray for when we pray for forgiveness
  3. What ground we stand on as we pray for forgiveness

The child’s pray to the Father for his favour

  1. To the father
  2. From the child

The “as” in the petition for forgiveness

  1. Speaks of what God gives
  2. Speaks of what God asks

Also this petition is the entreaty of fellowship

  1. In the fellowship of sin
  2. In the fellowship of forgiveness