ForgivenessForgivenessMay 27, 2012

Matthew 18:24-35Matthew 18:24-35

24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

Matthew 18:24-35Matthew 18:24-35

27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.

Matthew 18:24-35Matthew 18:24-35

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.

Matthew 18:24-35Matthew 18:24-35

33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Why We Must ForgiveWhy We Must Forgive

God commands us to forgive

Ephesians 4:31-3231 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Why We Must ForgiveWhy We Must Forgive

Unforgiveness will become a stronghold in your life

Unforgiveness will hinder your prayers

Mark 11:23-2523 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Unforgiveness Will Become A Unforgiveness Will Become A Stronghold & Hinder Your PrayersStronghold & Hinder Your Prayers

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

Why We Must ForgiveWhy We Must Forgive

We are created in God’s image and God forgives Genesis 1:27

27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

2 Corinthians 5:1717 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Why We Must ForgiveWhy We Must Forgive

So that we will be forgiven

Matthew 18:3535 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Stronghold of Holding On To HurtsStronghold of Holding On To Hurts

Let’s look at the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping

Galatians 6:7-87 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Stronghold of Holding On To HurtsStronghold of Holding On To Hurts

Galatians 6:7-8The Message (MSG)

7-8Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

Stronghold of Holding On To HurtsStronghold of Holding On To Hurts

When you build a wall of unforgiveness around you to make sure that you will never be hurt again, you also wall yourself in and live in isolation.

Every hurt needs to be processed before you are able to move on.◦Without forgiveness, the process is halted.

You have to let go of the past so that God can give you a better future.

How Do We Forgive?How Do We Forgive?

Freely and completely.◦UNCONDITIONAL and without being asked to—because God already INSTRUCTED us to!Ask God for the ability to forgive.Leave the need for personal justice in the hands of God.Romans 12:17-1917 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

How Do We Ask For Forgiveness?How Do We Ask For Forgiveness?

Come humbly without attempting to justify our actions.

Take complete ownership of the part of the conflict that belongs to you.

Admit that you are wrong.Take the risk to ask for forgiveness

even when there is little chance of it being given.

How Do We Ask For Forgiveness?How Do We Ask For Forgiveness?

Romans 12:1818 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Pray God’s blessing on their lives.Forgive yourself.

ConclusionConclusion

Anyone can say the words “I forgive you” but the power to totally forgive comes from God. When you forgive completely, you recognize that if circumstances were different, perhaps you could have been the one seeking forgiveness. In fact because we are the recipient of God’s grace we have no choice but to forgive others even as God has forgiven us.

Application Application

Committing my Life to the Lord. (becoming a new creation in Christ—in His image)

Asking for God to give me the ability to forgive those who have wronged me.

Asking for God’s help as I seek forgiveness for the wrongs I have done.