Testimony - 'Sarah and Mike'
The sermon tells the powerful story of Sarah and Mike, who found healing and redemption through the power of forgiveness and release.
Gareth Evans shares a powerful testimony of forgiveness and redemption, illustrating how Sarah and Mike chose to release their former partners, John and Helen, from bitterness and anger, praying for their salvation instead of judgment. Through their act of forgiveness, they experienced a transformation in their hearts and witnessed miraculous changes in the lives of John and Helen. This story highlights the importance of releasing those who have hurt us and allowing God's grace to work in mending broken relationships and bringing about reconciliation.
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"I felt so challenged by your teaching," said Sarah, "that I went home and told Mike that I needed to release my former husband John."
I had spoken at their church in England just one month before and had now returned for a second visit. Mike stood alongside Sarah as their story of wrongs and wounds came out.
More than five years earlier, Sarah and her husband John were non-believers while Mike was married to Helen and was pastor of an evangelical church. Unknown to Sarah and Mike, their partners were having an affair, which only came to light when John and Helen ran off together!
A bitter divorce followed as the custody of children was involved. Mike not only lost his wife but was also made to resign his position in the church. However, during the divorce proceedings, he witnessed to Sarah and led her to faith in the Saviour. Later they married, sharing the pain and wounds caused by their former partners.
Five years of bitterness had followed the divorce and, as Mike reported, Sarah would become very distant and angry every time John would call to arrange a train journey for his children to visit him and Helen in the north of the country.
After my teaching, they agreed together to release John and Helen, praying blessing upon them instead of God's judgment. "Father, lay not this sin to their charge," became their prayer.
One week later, John called to arrange the annual trip north and, to Sarah's amazement, she found herself very relaxed during and after the conversation. Then a month later, a surprise call from a pastor in the north of England caused them much joy. The pastor informed Mike that his former wife Helen had attended his church and had wept her way back to the Saviour, after five years away.
"Then, last week," enthused Sarah, "he called again to tell us that John had come to church with Helen - his first time ever." "Now, we can hardly wait to hear that John has also come to know the Saviour, for when he does, Mike and I are going up to their city in the north to greet them as brother and sister in the Lord!"
Only the grace of God can do that - and He does do such miracles when we release those who wounded us, to Him! As we open the door to the kingdom of heaven, he speaks through that door to those we release.
Next time I am in that city I shall be expecting to hear the completion of this work of grace.
Sermon Outline
- The Story of Sarah and Mike
- The Impact of Unforgiveness
- The Miracle of Release and Forgiveness
- Praying for Blessing Instead of Judgment
- The Surprising Consequences of Forgiveness
Key Quotes
“Only the grace of God can do that - and He does do such miracles when we release those who wounded us, to Him!” — Gareth Evans
“As we open the door to the kingdom of heaven, he speaks through that door to those we release.” — Gareth Evans
“Now, we can hardly wait to hear that John has also come to know the Saviour, for when he does, Mike and I are going up to their city in the north to greet them as brother and sister in the Lord!” — Gareth Evans
Application Points
- We can apply the principles of forgiveness and release by letting go of our anger and resentment towards those who have wronged us.
- Praying for blessing instead of judgment allows us to release the person who has wronged us and to trust God to bring about justice and healing in their life.
- When we forgive and release those who have wronged us, we open the door to the kingdom of heaven, and God can speak through that door to bring about miraculous healing and redemption.