It Costs More Than You Think

Welcome, Intro, Honor

HOOK: Intro

Today we continue our discussion on ‘Grief’

Recap Last Week “Can you bless others while still bleeding?”

Commend Elder Mark on being an example of blessing while bleeding

Today we are talking about forgiveness

This type of bleeding will actually prevent us from blessing others the way we ought to.

Story of unforgiveness with my hairstylist

The enemy knows how to play to our hurt, especially in the area of offense

Last week Bishop had us profess, “I’m a product of my past, but I refuse to be a prisoner of my past.”

But there is something about offense, we choose to be a prisoner to our offense…

Sometimes we can say it is for good reason… but it is not for our GOOD.

Introduce Sermon title

Pray in for sermon

BOOK: Main Scripture - Matthew 18:21-35

Parable of the unforgiving servant

Matthew 18:21–35 (ESV)

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. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 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 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, 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, 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.”

Dive into the forgiveness of the Ten Thousand Talents

LOOK: Sermon Core

Why Forgive?

God commands it - Eph 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

It hinders our prayers - Matt 6:14-15 “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Forgiveness for salvation (marriage covenant)

Forgiveness for fellowship (martial intimacy)

Psalm 66:18 “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”

It angers the heart of God

Matthew 18:24 “When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.”

It destroys our relationships

Heb 12:15 “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Eph 4:26 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,”

“According to the mayo clinic, forgiveness brings with it plenty of health benefits, including improved relationships, decreased anxiety and stress, lower blood pressure, a lower risk of depression, and a stronger immune and heart health. The letting go of negative emotions can often have a remarkable impact on the body.”

I Could Write A Book On It

Have youth come up and give me books for “unforgiveness”. Illustrate how it bogs down life and shapes you

The Greek word ("Aphiemi") for forgiveness implies letting go or to release.

Drop the books off the stage. Illustrate dropping the weight of unforgiveness (For Others, For Self, For God)

Forgiveness is NOT the ABSENCE of pain

Forgiveness is NOT Always RECONCILIATION

Forgiveness IS Letting Go

“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”

TOOK: Close

It Costs More Than You Think…

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NIV). Jesus did not pay for our sins only in part: he paid for all our sins. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36, NIV).

Luke 23:34 “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”