The Parable of the Forgiven Friend (2)

Finding Happiness in Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21–35

21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “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 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.

24 “When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.

25 “But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.

26 “So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’

27 “And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.

28 “But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

29 “So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’

30 “But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.

31 “So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened.

32 “Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.

33 ‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’

34 “And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.

35 “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

Introduction

- Introduce the concept of forgiveness as a pathway to true happiness.

- Set the scene for the parable in Matthew 18, where Jesus teaches about the kingdom principles of forgiveness.

1. Forgiveness Releases Us from the Prison of Bitterness

Holding onto unforgiveness binds us more than the person we refuse to forgive.

1. Recognize the Cost of Unforgiveness: Discuss how bitterness can affect one's mental and emotional well-being.

Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;”

2. Embrace Forgiveness as Liberation: Teach that forgiveness frees us from the toxic cycle of resentment.

Colossians 3:13 “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

2. Forgiveness Reflects God's Mercy Towards Us

Our ability to forgive others is rooted in the immense forgiveness we have received from God.

1. Understand the Depth of God’s Forgiveness: Reflect on how much we have been forgiven by God.

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

2. Model God's Forgiveness in Relationships: Encourage imitating God's merciful nature in personal interactions.

Luke 6:36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

3. Forgiveness Fosters Reconciliation and Peace

True happiness is found in peaceful relationships and reconciled communities.

1. Pursue Peace through Forgiveness: Highlight the importance of making peace through the act of forgiveness.

Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

2. Encourage Community Healing: Discuss how collective forgiveness can heal and restore broken relationships.

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Conclusion

- Summarize how forgiveness leads to personal and communal happiness, reflecting the kingdom values Jesus teaches in the parable.

- Challenge listeners to assess areas of unforgiveness in their lives that may be hindering their happiness.

- Encourage a decision to actively pursue forgiveness, not only as an act of obedience but as a pathway to genuine happiness and peace.

This sermon will guide the congregation to understand that true happiness often hinges on our ability to forgive and live out the grace and mercy that we have received from God, just as taught in the parable of Matthew 18.