Sep 6, 2026 · Salvation Service
Ministering: Father Abraham
Forgiveness and Intercession
THE MARKS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN
KEY SCRIPTURE
Luke 23:34
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
INTRODUCTION
The Cross reveals the true heart of Jesus Christ.
Jesus was rejected, mocked, beaten, betrayed, and crucified. Yet, in the midst of unimaginable pain, His response was not hatred, offense, bitterness, or revenge.
He prayed.
He forgave.
He interceded.
“Father, forgive them…” — Luke 23:34
Jesus did not allow the actions of those who hurt Him to change the condition of His heart.
This is one of the greatest marks of a true Christian.
A true disciple of Christ is not recognized only by how they worship, pray, preach, or serve. The true character of a Christian is also revealed by how they respond when they are hurt, rejected, betrayed, and offended.
Forgiveness and intercession are not merely emotional responses. They are spiritual decisions.
To forgive means choosing to release someone from the debt you believe they owe you.
To intercede means standing before God on behalf of another person.
You cannot genuinely intercede for someone while refusing to love them.
THE MARKS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN
1. A TRUE CHRISTIAN LEARNS TO FORGIVE UNDER PRESSURE
Forgiveness is easy when there is no offense.
The true test of forgiveness is not when people treat you well, but when you are under pressure.
Jesus prayed for forgiveness while hanging on the Cross.
Stephen demonstrated the same spirit when he was being stoned.
Acts 7:60
“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”
Stephen was experiencing pain, rejection, and persecution, yet he responded with mercy.
This is the character of Christ.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Paul teaches us that forgiveness is part of the character and lifestyle of a true Christian.
DECLARATION
Lord, give me the grace to forgive even when I am under pressure. Let pain never change my heart or destroy the character of Christ within me.
2. A TRUE CHRISTIAN DOES NOT RETURN EVIL FOR EVIL
Jesus had the authority to respond with judgment.
He could have called upon heaven.
He could have responded against those who crucified Him.
But instead:
He chose mercy.
He chose forgiveness.
He chose love over revenge.
1 Peter 2:23
“When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
This teaches us three powerful principles:
A. NOT EVERY OFFENSE REQUIRES A RESPONSE.
Sometimes silence is more powerful than an argument.
B. NOT EVERY BATTLE REQUIRES RETALIATION.
Some battles must be handed over to God.
C. NOT EVERY WRONG MUST BE REPAID BY YOU.
There are things you must release because vengeance belongs to the Lord.
Romans 12:19
“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
When you release revenge, you make room for God to defend you.
3. FORGIVENESS RELEASES THE HEART
Unforgiveness keeps the heart emotionally connected to an offense.
When you refuse to forgive, you may leave the person free while keeping yourself imprisoned.
Jesus teaches us to release offenders and keep our hearts free.
He taught forgiveness not only with His words but also through His actions.
He forgave those who crucified Him.
Forgiveness does not mean that what happened was right.
Forgiveness means:
“I refuse to make vengeance my responsibility.”
Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
When you release the offense to God, you allow Him to deal with the situation while He heals your heart.
Colossians 3:13
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
DECLARATION
By the grace of God, I release every person who has offended me. I refuse to remain bound by bitterness, anger, hatred, or unforgiveness. My heart is free in Christ Jesus.
4. A TRUE CHRISTIAN PRAYS AND INTERCEDES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HURT THEM
One of the greatest demonstrations of spiritual maturity is the ability to pray for those who have hurt you.
Matthew 5:44
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
The Cross is the greatest demonstration of this teaching.
Jesus did not only preach about love.
He demonstrated love.
Jesus did not only teach forgiveness.
He demonstrated forgiveness.
Jesus did not only speak about mercy.
He demonstrated mercy.
Therefore, as Christians, we must not merely preach the character of Christ.
We must practice the character of Christ, especially when we are tested.
The greatest proof of Christianity is not only what we say when we are blessed.
It is also how we respond when we are wounded.
THE POWERFUL LESSON OF THE CROSS
Jesus demonstrated that:
LOVE CAN SPEAK WHEN HATRED IS SHOUTING.
MERCY CAN SPEAK WHEN REVENGE IS AVAILABLE.
FORGIVENESS CAN TRIUMPH IN THE MIDST OF PAIN.
INTERCESSION CAN RISE EVEN IN THE MIDST OF REJECTION.
The Cross teaches us that pain does not have to produce bitterness.
Rejection does not have to produce hatred.
Offense does not have to produce revenge.
A heart surrendered to Christ can still love while it is hurting.
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION
1. Is there someone I am still holding in my heart?
2. Am I seeking revenge instead of trusting God?
3. Can I genuinely pray for the person who hurt me without excusing what they did?
4. Am I allowing Christ's forgiveness toward me to influence my forgiveness toward others?
5. Has an offense changed my heart, my character, or my relationship with God?
6. Can people see the character of Christ in the way I respond to pain?
COMMUNION CONNECTION
The Communion reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
At the Cross, Jesus did not only shed His blood for our sins.
He also demonstrated the heart that every true disciple must develop.
A heart that forgives.
A heart that loves.
A heart that releases.
A heart that intercedes.
As we partake of the Communion today, let every chain of bitterness be broken.
Let every root of unforgiveness be uprooted.
Let every wound caused by offense receive healing.
Let the character of Christ be formed in us.
PROPHETIC DECLARATION
As I partake of the Communion today, I receive the grace to forgive.
Every burden of offense is lifted from my heart.
Every wound caused by rejection is healed.
Every root of bitterness is destroyed.
I refuse to be controlled by hatred, anger, or revenge.
The character of Christ is being formed in me.
I receive the grace to love those who have hurt me.
I receive the grace to pray for those who have offended me.
My heart is free.
My spirit is free.
I walk in love.
I walk in mercy.
I walk in forgiveness.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1.
Oh Lord, give me the heart of Christ.
2.
Lord Jesus Christ, heal every wound that offense has caused in my life and in my heart.
3.
Lord Jesus Christ, teach me to respond to bad with good and to evil with love.
4.
Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for forgiving me and teaching me to become a true Christian.
5.
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, by Your precious blood, grant me open doors in this new month.
6.
Lord Jesus Christ, by Your precious blood, close every evil door opened before me and my family, and open new doors before my family and me.
7.
Lord Jesus Christ, order my steps and cause me to walk into everything You have released for me this month.
8.
Oh Lord, by Your precious blood, bring destiny helpers my way this month.
9.
Lord, as I partake of Your blood through this Communion, cancel every evil plan and agenda that the enemy has against my life and family this month.
10.
By the blood of Jesus, let all the elements of nature begin to cooperate with the plan and purpose of God for my life this month.
11.
By the blood of Jesus Christ, I will not weep, cry, die, or bury anyone this month.
12.
You, Month Number Nine, September—the month of fruitfulness—I command you: deliver everything that belongs to me! Deliver my blessings, favour, finances, good health, provision, opportunities, and every good thing that belongs to me.
13.
As I partake of the Communion, I receive my blessings and every good thing that God has prepared for me.
CONCLUSION
Luke 23:34 is more than a prayer.
It is a call to discipleship.
We are forgiven so that we can forgive.
We are loved so that we can love.
We are shown mercy so that we can show mercy.
We are saved to help bring others to salvation.
We are freed so that we can help others walk in freedom.
The true Christian is not identified only by what they say.
The true Christian is identified by the character of Christ revealed through their life.
May the grace to forgive, love, and intercede rest upon us.
May every heart be healed.
May every burden of offense be removed.
And may the character of Jesus Christ be revealed in us.
