MATTHEW 18: 21 - 35

Forgive One Another

Matthew 18: 21 - 3521Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how

many times shall I forgive someone who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22Jesus 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. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25Since 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.

Matthew 18: 21 - 3526“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be

patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27The 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 you back.’

Matthew 18: 21 - 35

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

Matthew 18: 21 - 3532“Then the master called the servant in.

‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34In 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 a brother or sister from your heart.”

God knows how you are feeling.

God understands what it is like to be hurt and wronged.

Through the sins we commit on a daily basis, we hurt and wrong God.

We cannot afford to hold onto that anger and bitterness, rather we must forgive.

Common Misconceptions about Forgiveness

I will forgive, but not forget.How would we like God to tell us upon

our repentance that He will forgive, but not forget?

Biblical forgiveness keeps no record of wrongs and does not hold a person’s sins over their head.

Common Misconceptions about Forgiveness

I have a right to be angryTo believe that you have the right to be

and stay angry & bitter is a lie from the Devil.

Things will never be the sameThe purpose of forgiveness is not just

overlooking someone’s faults, but it is restoring a relationship back to the way it was before the wrong took place.

Lessons from the Parable:

Why must we forgive?Because We Have Been ForgivenBecause We Have Been Commanded

Colossians 3: 12 – 14: 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Matthew 18: 15 - 17

15“If a brother or sister sins, go and point out the fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

The Example of Forgiveness

Jesus is the best example of forgiveness.

He not only preached it, but he also lived a life of forgiveness.

Even from the Cross!

The Dangers of Un-Forgiveness

Not Being Forgiven: Matthew 6: 12 – 15

Carrying An Unnecessary Burden

Giving the Devil a Foothold: Eph 4: 26 – 27

A Hindered Relationship

Conclusion

Let us in NLCC be people that walk tall in the area of forgiveness, and keep short accounts with anyone who

has wronged us.

Link into Communion

“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.

Matthew 5: 23 - 25