Generously Forgive

Will you generously forgive others.

FW: ?

Intro:

-This morning as we continue our series a generous life, we are going to read about how we are directed by God to generously forgive in Matthew 18.

-Our title this morning is Generlushly Forgive

TS: Some of you are here today and you believe it’s impossible but I believe God brought you hear today because he is going to give you the power to forgive.

Pray

Matthew 18:21–22 (NIV)

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.

Forgiveness will sometimes feel overwhelming or impossible.

-Forgiveness is not based off feelings, it’s a choice we make.

-We don’t only forgive once we are healed.

-When we chose to forgive, God will heal the hurt.

-Gym analogy:

You don’t go to gym only once you’re in shape

You make the decision to get healthy and through work you get there

TS: Let’s keep reading in Matthew 18, verse 23

Matthew 18:23–31 (NIV)

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 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.

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

“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.

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

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

-Quick context:

The first servant owed the master roughly 150,000 years worth of wages

The second owed less than 100 days left of wages

Matthew 18:32–33 (NIV)

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?’

Forgiveness is a present we are required to regift.

-Regifting a present analogy:

We’ve all recieved a gift around the holidays that we know is perfect for that white elephant party we don’t want to go

However, offering forgiveness is like showing up to a $15 limit white elephant party with a new tesla.

-When we offer forgiveness, we perfectly represent and model God’s heart for creation.

-The entire narrative of the bible is God doing everything possible to offer forgiveness.

And the entire story of the Bible is that God came for you to forgive you.

TS: Actually as we keep reading, we see a very clear description of what God thinks about not forgiving others. Let’s finish starting back at verse 34

Matthew 18:34–35 (NIV)

In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

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

Forgiveness often unlocks the peace that was taken from you.

-There isn’t a kind way to say this, if we don’t forgive others, we are the one that will be tortured.

-It may happen right away but it will start the process of God healing your heart.

-Even if they don’t ask or receive it well, you are being faithful to what God has required of us.

-Analogy about drinking poison:

My mom always said, “Holding onto unforgiveness and bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die”

Close

Guide communion as a close to remember how much God has forgiven us.

-Prayer of forgiveness. Go through a brief list:

victimized

Disrespected

abandoned

Closing prayer include touch back to walking out free

“Feels may come back but remember you already chose to forgive and let go”

You’re going to make and God has you in His hands.