Matthew 18:21–35 -“HOW TO Forgive From the Heart

Thumb in Colossians 2:13–15

Today we are going to offer you a tool on how to forgive and be free from the tormenting sin of unforgiveness. This is part 2 of an essential characteristic of a Christian - forgiveness. We have been forgiven and we are to forgive. Forgiveness is a choice that sets you free from bitterness, dread, and resentment towards the other person. It doesn’t erase the wrong but restores your peace and allows God’s grace to work in your heart. The opposite of this is unforgiveness, which is very difficult to see in ourselves. We will do a quick review, but the Key Point today is

…According to Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer (mt 6) and Matthew 18, if we refuse to forgive others, we don’t understand our own forgiveness, so we remain trapped in bitterness, and place ourselves outside the freedom, mercy, and grace God desires us to walk in instead we walk in torment aka depression, anxiety, self pity and bitterness.

Have you ever… been mad at God?”

“I’m not talking about a little frustration… I mean really mad. The kind of anger that sits deep in your chest. The kind that you don’t even know how to pray through anymore. The kind that makes you say, ‘God… if You’re so good, then why would You let this happen?’”

“Some of you in this room have never said it out loud. But you’ve felt it. You’ve felt that ache, that confusion. You’ve cried behind closed doors. You’ve clenched your fists in the dark. You’ve screamed in your mind the words your mouth was too afraid to speak.”

Matthew 18:21-35 - The Sin of Unforgiveness

(21) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

(22) Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

(23) “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. (24) As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. (25) Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

(26) “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ (27) The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

(28) “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

(29) “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

(30) “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. (31) When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

(32) “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. (33) Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ (34) In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

(35) “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

DAY JOB

Throughout the Bible the word of God is focused on forgiveness and designed to bring people to faith and repentance. AND, however…

This message is for those of us who have a relationship with Jesus and know they have been forgiven of all our sin and yet we hold on to hurt and pain caused by others.