Forgiveness
Notes
Transcript
We have been talking about discipleship the last few weeks - we are disciples seeking to follow Jesus and be more like him. We are also to show others how to live like Jesus. We talked last week about conflict resolution from a biblical perspective - to pray first, to seek reconciliation, to approach an issue with humility instead of pride…Jesus gave us directions on how to resolve conflict - he knows we will deal with it and he gives us tools to work it out. Our passage today is the continuing verses in Matthew chapter 18. Peter hears these instructions on conflict and then asks Jesus how many times to forgive. Traditionally the rabbis had recommended a limit to forgiving someone be three times, Peter suggests 7 times thinking he is being generous with his thoughts on forgiveness - but Jesus takes this and shows us what real generosity is. Let’s hear these words from Matthew 18: 21-35
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
The Word of God for the people of God! This parable is a story, Jesus is talking to his disciples after telling them how to resolve conflict and forgiveness is the next step in conflict resolution. We can see here the story of the king and his slaves. The debt of the first slave would have been insurmountable. There is no way he could ever pay that in his lifetime - It was equivalent to about 10 million dollars owed. This slave receives mercy, the king had pity on him and released him from this massive debt! We then see this same servant walk outside, see another servant who owes him money - which would have been about $20 - and he has no mercy, no forgiveness and instead sends him to prison to pay off the debt. This slave who received mercy and grace and went outside and flipped a switch to be unforgiving or unmerciful. We can easily look at this story and see the error of the servants ways, but I need you to look at this story and put yourself into the slave’s place. Your king has forgiven you a debt of sin that was too large to ever repay. God graciously forgives that debt. For believers to refuse to forgive someone else who has offended them reveals a failure to understand and receive God’s forgiveness. Hear me again - our God has forgiven us and when we hold on to grudges or anger against someone else, we are the slave in this story. Do we recognize the gift of forgiveness that we have been given by Jesus dying on the cross for our sins? Do we truly know that gift, or do we expect it and have entitlement and don’t apply it to our own lives?
This chapter in Matthew is giving us insight to the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is telling us about our eternal home - he is giving us teachings on what we must do here on earth. I encourage you go back and read the whole chapter - It is instructions for life as a Christian. From the passage today we see that we must forgive in order to receive the kingdom of heaven. There is no lukewarm here. You must forgive. Jesus talks about the king punishing the wicked slave - he handed him over to be tortured until the debt was paid and Jesus plainly tells us “So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (repeat?)
Jesus gives us so many verses on forgiveness - here are a few which reinforce what he is telling us -
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mt 6:14-15
Mark 11:25
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”
Luke 6:37 (NRSVue)
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven;
Luke 11:4 (NIV)
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
There are so many more verses on forgiveness, but can we see what Jesus is telling us? Our life as a disciple must be one where forgiveness is key. We can’t hold on to grudges and call ourselves Christian. An unforgiving spirit is unchristian. Grudges and anger hold us captive, they weigh us down and imprison us. We can only be free in Christ when we release this hold - and we must forgive to be truly free in Christ. We must keep on forgiving, and on and on... Peter was generous to expand forgiveness from 3 times to 7! But Jesus tells us we can’t keep track of the number of times we forgive - to do so does not show the true spirit of forgiveness. God forgives us so much more than we deserve, we should follow that teaching. True Christianity shows complete forgiveness
Forgiveness may mean reconciliation, or renewal in a relationship, but it also may mean a release from the anger and hurt. God wants a relationship with you where you can go to Him and tell him about your hurts, about your anger - to redirect those thoughts to Him so he can guide you in forgiving. Each of us has had times in our lives when we have been hurt. This is our human reality when we live in a broken world. We have also had times when we have caused the hurt. Maybe you have been able to forgive, or asked for that forgiveness - there is blessing in that! But there are possibly some hurts or grudges that you are still holding - maybe someone has caused great pain in your life, maybe you have caused great pain and struggle with the weight of that guilt - maybe you need to forgive yourself for something you have done - whatever it is, I pray that God brings that forward in your mind. Also know that forgiveness does not mean you must remain in relationship with the person that hurt you. If this person continually causes you to stumble or is harmful to you, it is ok to create distance from someone after forgiveness. Once you have given or received forgiveness, your mind is free from the heavy thoughts and burdens that you carry. Our God does not want us to live burdened or carrying grudges that we aren’t supposed to carry.
The Greek word for forgiveness means to literally let go of - forgiveness is an action that we must do - not a feeling. With forgiveness, we aren't responsible for the other party, but we are responsible for our part. We have to own what we have done and to forgive, and seek forgiveness. Forgiveness must be done in love and grace, with mercy, as our Lord has been merciful. Ask the Lord to intervene. You have been given a piece of paper today - if you don’t have one, tear a piece of your bulletin. Today I want you to sit for a moment, to reflect on where you need to forgive or ask for forgiveness. On this paper write it down - remember forgiveness is an action. Literally letting go of what is weighing you down. I don’t know what God is calling you to do today - to forgive or be forgiven - to seek reconciliation or renewal - but take time now to pray for God’s guidance. Write down whatever God gives you. Maybe you keep that piece of paper to remind you this week of what you need to do- or maybe you come forward and give it to God - either way, ask God to guide you in what He wants for you to do.
(time to come forward)
We as believers must forgive others as our Father in heaven has forgiven us. This has eternal impact for us! Our Savior died for each and every one of our sins, to forgive us, to atone for what we have done and continue to do, we must forgive as well - we receive mercy undeserved because Christ died on the cross for all our sins. Friends, this life is temporary - forgiveness here on earth has eternal ramifications. vengeance is not ours to seek - it is the Lord’s and only the Lord’s. I pray that you know today about our Savior who forgives us our trespasses and commands us to forgive as well. Don’t let a hard heart continue on - the Lord will intercede on your behalf if you seek Him. Now is the time. Today is the day. Seek the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind - Our God is with you.
