ForgivenessForgivenessMatthew 18:21-35Matthew 18:21-35

Two Things Are ClearTwo Things Are Clear

1. We cannot forgive until the sinner 1. We cannot forgive until the sinner repents. repents. Luke 17:3-4Luke 17:3-4

2. If the sinner does repent, we must 2. If the sinner does repent, we must forgive him, else we cannot receive forgive him, else we cannot receive forgiveness from God ourselves. forgiveness from God ourselves. Matthew 6:14-15Matthew 6:14-15

WE ARE TO FORGIVE AS GOD HAS WE ARE TO FORGIVE AS GOD HAS IN CHRIST FORGIVEN US. Eph. 4:32IN CHRIST FORGIVEN US. Eph. 4:32

A.A. Sin is a terrible burden for any to Sin is a terrible burden for any to carry. carry. 1.1. The magnitude of sin is seen in the result The magnitude of sin is seen in the result

of sin. Ezekiel 18:20; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans of sin. Ezekiel 18:20; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:236:23

2.2. Man cannot pay the debt of sin. cf. Man cannot pay the debt of sin. cf. Matthew 16:26Matthew 16:26

3.3. We need the blood of Christ. Romans We need the blood of Christ. Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19.3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19.a.a. Man’s need is constant (1 John 1:8); Man’s need is constant (1 John 1:8);

The blood of Christ is always available (1 John 1:9).The blood of Christ is always available (1 John 1:9).

I.I. WE ARE TO FORGIVE AS GOD WE ARE TO FORGIVE AS GOD HAS IN CHRIST FORGIVEN US. Eph. HAS IN CHRIST FORGIVEN US. Eph.

4:324:32B.B. Is God’s forgiveness unconditional? Is God’s forgiveness unconditional?

1.1. Those outside of Christ who sin, must Those outside of Christ who sin, must do something. Acts 2:36-38, 40-41; Acts do something. Acts 2:36-38, 40-41; Acts 9:6; Acts 16:30-349:6; Acts 16:30-34

2.2. Christians who sin, must do Christians who sin, must do something. 1 John 1:6-10; Acts 8:20-24something. 1 John 1:6-10; Acts 8:20-24

3.3. God is willing to forgive, IF WE ARE God is willing to forgive, IF WE ARE WILLING TO MEET HIS CONDITIONS! WILLING TO MEET HIS CONDITIONS!

a.a. Discuss Luke 23:34; cf. Discuss Luke 23:34; cf. Matthew 23:37Matthew 23:37

b.b. Discuss Acts 7:60; cf. Acts 9, 22, 26Discuss Acts 7:60; cf. Acts 9, 22, 26

II.II. WHAT FORGIVENESS IS WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOTNOT..

1.1.Just ignoring those who wrong us.Just ignoring those who wrong us.2. 2. Simply refusing to return evil for evil. Simply refusing to return evil for evil.

Romans12:17-21; Hebrews10:30.Romans12:17-21; Hebrews10:30.3. 3. Ignoring sin.Ignoring sin.4. 4. Saying, “Saying, “I’ll forgive – but I won’t I’ll forgive – but I won’t

forgetforget”.”.a.a.This is not the way Jesus forgives; when he forgives This is not the way Jesus forgives; when he forgives

sin, he remembers it no more (Hebrews 10:17). sin, he remembers it no more (Hebrews 10:17). b.b. We cannot forgive one, and then constantly We cannot forgive one, and then constantly

remind him of the sin and hold it over him.remind him of the sin and hold it over him.c.c.cf. “I’ll forgive you, but I won’t have anything to do cf. “I’ll forgive you, but I won’t have anything to do

with you in the future” mentality.with you in the future” mentality.

5. 5. Putting the offender on probation.Putting the offender on probation.a.a.Forgiveness must be from the heart. Matthew 18:35 Forgiveness must be from the heart. Matthew 18:35

III.III. WHAT IS WHAT IS FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS??

A. A. According to According to American Heritage American Heritage DictionaryDictionary “To excuse for a fault or “To excuse for a fault or an offense; pardon; To renounce an offense; pardon; To renounce anger or resentment against. To anger or resentment against. To absolve from payment of (a debt as absolve from payment of (a debt as an examplean example).”).”

III.III. WHAT IS WHAT IS FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS??

B. B. According to Theological (Greek) According to Theological (Greek) Dictionary of NT: From two Greek words: Dictionary of NT: From two Greek words: apo(from) hiemi(sendapo(from) hiemi(send) ) “to send away, “to send away, to let go, give up a debt, to remitto let go, give up a debt, to remit”.”.

1. 1. Bible example is a scapegoat Bible example is a scapegoat ((carrying carrying awayaway). Leviticus16:21; Isaiah ). Leviticus16:21; Isaiah 53:6.53:6.

2. 2. A “A “casting outcasting out”– Isaiah 38:17.”– Isaiah 38:17.

3. 3. A “A “starting overstarting over” – Philippians ” – Philippians 3:13-14.3:13-14.

III.III. WHAT IS WHAT IS FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS??

C. C. According to God’s word According to God’s word (forgiveness is) (forgiveness is) being like God...being like God...

1. 1. God removes the notation from the God removes the notation from the record – record – Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.”.blotted out.”.

2. 2. God forgets, putting out of memory – God forgets, putting out of memory – Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more.”remember no more.”

III.III. WHAT IS WHAT IS FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS??

D. Examples of true forgiveness:D. Examples of true forgiveness:

1. 1. The prodigal son’s father – The prodigal son’s father – Luke15:20-24.Luke15:20-24.

2.2. Stephen forgave – Acts 7:60; Stephen forgave – Acts 7:60; chapter 9chapter 9

3. 3. Paul’s willingness – 2 Timothy Paul’s willingness – 2 Timothy 4:16.4:16.

4. 4. The sinner in Corinth–2 The sinner in Corinth–2 Corinthians 2:5-8.Corinthians 2:5-8.

IV.IV. WHY SHOULD I WHY SHOULD I FORGIVEFORGIVE??

A.A. God commands it. Mark 11:25 God commands it. Mark 11:25 “And whensoever ye stand praying, “And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any forgive, if ye have aught against any one...”one...”

B.B. The example of Christ The example of Christ demands it. demands it. Luke 23:34Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”for they know not what they do.”

IV.IV. WHY SHOULD I WHY SHOULD I FORGIVEFORGIVE??

C.C. We must forgive because we We must forgive because we ourselves have been forgivenourselves have been forgiven. Ephesians . Ephesians 4:324:32Forgiveness is an act of mercy, not justice. Jesus Forgiveness is an act of mercy, not justice. Jesus

said,said, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy...”obtain mercy...” (Matthew 5:7; cf. James 2:13) (Matthew 5:7; cf. James 2:13)

D.D. We must forgive in order that we We must forgive in order that we may be forgiven.may be forgiven. Matthew 6:14-15; Mark Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:2511:25God’s estimate of an unforgiving spirit is found in God’s estimate of an unforgiving spirit is found in

Matthew 18:23-35.Matthew 18:23-35.

IV.IV. WHY SHOULD I WHY SHOULD I FORGIVEFORGIVE??

E.E. Seeking peace requires it!Seeking peace requires it! Romans 14:19 Romans 14:19

F.F. Love calls for it.Love calls for it. cf. 1 cf. 1 Corinthians 13:4; 1 Peter 4:8Corinthians 13:4; 1 Peter 4:8

G.G. The Golden Rule demands it.The Golden Rule demands it. Matthew 7:12 ; Forgiving others shows Matthew 7:12 ; Forgiving others shows strength of character. Romans 12:17-21strength of character. Romans 12:17-21

V.V. OFTEN ASKED OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT QUESTIONS ABOUT

FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS::A.A. Can the mind ever forget? Paul Can the mind ever forget? Paul

did not maintain a “hate listdid not maintain a “hate list.” cf. 1 .” cf. 1 Corinthians 13:5 “Love does not take Corinthians 13:5 “Love does not take account of evil…”account of evil…”1. 1. We did when we were children.We did when we were children.

2. 2. We do as parents with our children.We do as parents with our children.

3. 3. We forget our own faults.We forget our own faults.

4. 4. God says we can do both – God says we can do both – Ephesians 4:32.Ephesians 4:32.

V.V. OFTEN ASKED OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT QUESTIONS ABOUT

FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS::B.B. How often must I forgive? How often must I forgive?

Matthew18:21-22; Luke 17:3-4.Matthew18:21-22; Luke 17:3-4.

1. 1. Not a matter of arithmetic – but of Not a matter of arithmetic – but of love for my brother!love for my brother!

a.a. We must forgive, if need We must forgive, if need be, seven times in one day or be, seven times in one day or “seventy times seven.” Not just 490 “seventy times seven.” Not just 490 times, but as often as he repents, I times, but as often as he repents, I must be willing to forgive.must be willing to forgive.

V.V. OFTEN ASKED OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT QUESTIONS ABOUT

FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS::C. C. What if the offender does not ask What if the offender does not ask

for my forgiveness?for my forgiveness?1. 1. Jesus on the cross. Luke 23:34 Jesus on the cross. Luke 23:34

Did this give them forgiveness?Did this give them forgiveness?

Of course not – conditioned Of course not – conditioned upon their repentance! Acts 2:36-38; 1 upon their repentance! Acts 2:36-38; 1 John 1:9.John 1:9.

2.2. Romans 2:4; 12:17 do not be vindictive.Romans 2:4; 12:17 do not be vindictive.

3.3. One who does not repent, has no Godly One who does not repent, has no Godly sorrow for his sin. cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10sorrow for his sin. cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10

V.V. OFTEN ASKED OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT QUESTIONS ABOUT

FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS::D.D. How should we forgive one How should we forgive one

another? another? 1.1. Matthew 18:35 Matthew 18:35 “from the heart.”“from the heart.”

Fully and completely. The same as God Fully and completely. The same as God in Christ forgives us (Ephesians 4:32).in Christ forgives us (Ephesians 4:32).

V.V. OFTEN ASKED OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT QUESTIONS ABOUT

FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS::E.E. How do we learn and cultivate true How do we learn and cultivate true

forgiveness?forgiveness?1. 1. Physically to refuse can lead to health & Physically to refuse can lead to health & stress problems.stress problems.

2. 2. Spiritually, it can cause – malice, wrath, Spiritually, it can cause – malice, wrath, jealousy and separate us from God.jealousy and separate us from God.

3. 3. Remember, how greatly God has forgiven us!Remember, how greatly God has forgiven us!

4. 4. Ask God to assist and help us.Ask God to assist and help us.

5. 5. Practice by praying for the offender.Practice by praying for the offender.

6. 6. Develop an understanding heart. Proverbs 8:5.Develop an understanding heart. Proverbs 8:5.

7. 7. Cultivate compassion and mercy – Matthew 5:7.Cultivate compassion and mercy – Matthew 5:7.

ConclusionConclusion

• Take it or leave it!Take it or leave it!• Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men

their trespasses, your heavenly Father their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”your Father forgive your trespasses.”

• Is my soul worth being lost because of Is my soul worth being lost because of the actions of another person???the actions of another person???