Forgiveness 9/7/2025 - Killen Global Methodist Church

13 min read

Matthew 18:21-35 nkjv 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 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.’ 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.’ 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. 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.”

❓ What great sin have you been forgiven of by God? Who do you need to forgive? Can you recall a time when you struggled to forgive someone?

💥 By these verses, we see that forgiveness is essential in the life of a believer.

⭐ The effects of unforgiveness: According to these verses:1. Affects our relationship with God. v24) 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

He had a debt. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12)

➣ Forgiveness restores our heart to God! v35) “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

2. Affects the whole family. Spouse, children, v26) 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.

It puts them in the same prison as us. ( If we are bitter and unforgiving it will affect our behavior and imprison those around us)

➣ Forgiveness frees the home of being a prison of bitterness and unhealthy behavior.

3. It prevents us from having godly character, integrity and Christlike behavior. v33) 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ➣ Forgiveness provides us with the strength to have compassion, mercy, and pity on others.

4 It changes how we treat others v21) 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” No patience with others.

We lose our compassion, patience and mercy on others.

➣ Forgiveness empowers us to be Christlike when dealing with difficult people. v 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

⭐ DANGER of harboring unforgiveness in the heart. A. Unforgiveness can cause us to believe we are OK with God whenwe are not. v32-35) 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. 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.” B. v32) The behavior of unforgiveness is wickedness in the eyes of God. C. v34) Torments our life. We can’t pay for our own forgiveness. It is the unpayable debt! v24) 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

How to forgive:

I. God will give us the power. Doesn’t hold us accountable for what we cannot do. I can’t! Yes you can! v35) 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

II. It is a process.v23) He wanted to settle differences. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

He held him to the truth.
He held him accountable for his actions. ( He didn’t say, “It didn’t matter”. V25) 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.
The king didn’t blame himself.

III. Understand our debt to God! v32) 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. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’

When we understand the debt we have been forgiven, we will understand the need to forgive others.
- 💥 We have grieved God as much as others have hurt and grieved us.

➢ The hard heart doesn’t want to be forgiven.

A tenderheart forgives. Ephesians 4:32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Luke 6:37) “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

IV. Ask for and receive God’s forgiveness. v26) 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

Asking forgiveness is important.
- This does not mean we don’t have to forgive if people don’t ask us. (Corrie Tinboome)
- 1 John 1:9)

Matthew 5:38-45 ) 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. > Walking in forgiveness causes us to be free to walk as the true children of God.

A. Only God can change the heart. B. Only the Holy Spirit can empower us to behave and be the children of God.C. What keeps our life in torment is not what others do to us but our inability to let go and forgive others. Why will we not forgive?

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