Peter Barnes | Ephesians 4:31-32
SERMON NOTES
Being Kind and Forgiving
(Ephesians 4:31-32)
– general in 4:17-24, and more specific from verse 25 onwards.
1. Put off bitterness and malice.
– 4:31
(a) bitterness. Heb.12:15.
(b) rage. This comes from the word ‘to burn’.
(c) anger. See verses 26-27.
(d) brawling. 1 Sam.25:10-11; Prov.15:1.
(e) slander. Thomas Watson: ‘He that raises a slander carries the devil in his tongue; and he that receives it carries the devil in his ear.’
(f) malice.
– all this comes from selfishness.
2. Put on being kind, compassionate, and forgiving.
– 4:32; Matt.9:36; Luke 7:13-15; Corrie ten Boom’s forgiveness of the guard from Ravensbruck.
3. We are to be motivated by God’s forgiveness in Christ.
– 4:32; Luke 7:41-42, 47; Jer.31:34
– Matt.18:32-35