What Does The Bible Say? | Forgiveness
Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[a] 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[b] 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant[c] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[d] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[e] until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
What we will see today:
1) You are commanded to forgive
What forgiveness is
What forgiveness is not
2) Our forgiveness towards others is dependant on God’s forgiveness of us
3) The Consequences of Unforgiveness
4) The forgiveness we received should change US
You are commanded to forgive
Matthew 18:21-22
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
You are commanded to forgive
Colossians 3:12–13
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
You are commanded to forgive
What is forgiveness?
Forgiveness is releasing someone of blame and not seeking vengeance when they hurt you or have wronged you.
Forgiveness is willingly not carrying anger, hostility, or bitterness toward someone because they have wronged you.
Forgiveness is a process where we show the love of Christ to those who do not know Him.
Forgiveness is something you freely extend and humbly seek
You are commanded to forgive
What forgiveness is not.
Forgiveness is not excusing wrong
Forgiveness is not forgetting what happened
Forgiveness is not reconciliation
Forgiveness is not seeking vengeance but trusting in justice
A man who chases two rabbits catches neither.
Our forgiveness towards others is dependant on God’s forgiveness of us
Matthew 18:23–27
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[a] 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[b] 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant[c] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
Our forgiveness towards others is dependant on God’s forgiveness of us
Colossians 2:13–14
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Our forgiveness towards others is dependant on God’s forgiveness of us
Hebrews 7:25
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[a] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Our forgiveness towards others is dependant on God’s forgiveness of us
Matthew 18:28-33
28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[a] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’
The Consequences of Unforgiveness
Matthew 18:34-35
34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[a] until he should pay all his debt.35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
The Consequences of Unforgiveness
My unforgiveness shows I have not truly been forgiven
Matthew 6:11–15
Give us this day our daily bread,[a]
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.[b]
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The Consequences of Unforgiveness
Unforgiveness HINDERS my worship to God
Matthew 5:23–24
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.