sermonette: The Fruits of Forgiveness
Ted E. Bowling
Given 18-Oct-11; Sermon #FT11-10s; 21 minutes
Description: (hide)
Ted Bowling reflects on Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserables in which a hapless man Jean Valjean is sent to prison for 20 years for stealing a loaf of bread. Upon release, since he is a convicted felon, he cannot find a place to live until Bishop Myriel gave him refuge. Jean Valjean, seemingly ungrateful, steals the silverware, including two silver candlesticks in the church. When he is caught, Jean Valjean expects to be sent back to prison, but Bishop Myriel forgives him, generously giving him the items he had stolen. Jean Valjean changes his life orientation from bitter and self-serving to altruistic and loving, developing the same kind of forgiveness he learned the trait of Bishop Myriel. God expects us to forgive. If we forgive, He is more apt to forgive us. When Stephen, the martyr, forgave all his murderers, Paul probably became deeply impressed and smitten in his conscience. We need to develop a similar orientation of forgiveness to our brethren and those to which we come in contact.
Topics: (show)
Abuse Acts 7:58-60 Bishop Myriel Bitterness Digne Don’t get mad; get even Ephesians 4:30 I Timothy 1:12-16 Forgiveness Jean Val Jean Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - Project Gutenberg Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Search eText, Read Online, Study .. Letter of parole Micah 6:8 Model prayer Paul “Revenge is a dish that is better served cold” SparkNotes: Les Misérables Stealing a loaf of bread Stephen Unforgiving Victor Hugo
|
(To download, right-click on the icon for the format of your choice and select "Save target as...") |
