FORGIVE

 Forgiveness

1. Opening:

Authentic Beginning

“This morning I have a message on forgiving. I’m not here to preach from a pedestal or stand in hypocrisy—I come from a place of falling short myself, and I share God’s goodness in that. This is the shorter version of what I share with inmates in prison, but it applies to all of us. Because we all fall short of His glory, yet He is faithful. Where we cannot, He can.”

Let’s pray to begin:

• Lord, open our hearts to receive Your Word on forgiveness.

• Holy Spirit, guide us, convict us, and comfort us today.

• Break every chain of bitterness and unforgiveness in our lives.

• Give us strength to forgive where it feels impossible.

• Save those who have wronged us—may they encounter Your love and salvation.

➡️ Transition: “And that leads us to the very foundation of forgiveness—God’s grace.”

2. Foundation: God’s Grace

“We are saved by God’s grace—His unmerited favour. Jesus took our sin upon Himself at the cross. Instead of us, He bore the punishment. We are forgiven of all sin, and the cost was His precious blood, the ransom paid for our freedom, eternal life.

That is the starting point: we are forgiven.”

➡️ Transition: “But if we are forgiven so freely, why is it so hard for us to forgive others?”

3. The Challenge of Forgiving Others

“Isn’t it interesting that the hardest thing for us to do is often the very thing we are asked to do—forgive others? We place conditions, reasons, and limits on forgiveness. Yet Jesus calls us to forgive without limit. A true self-test is this: if we say we have forgiven, have we also prayed for their salvation? Because forgiveness is not just words—it’s a posture of the heart.”

➡️ Transition: “And the Bible doesn’t leave us guessing—it gives us clear teaching and powerful examples of forgiveness.”

4. Here are some Biblical Anchors

“Forgiveness is a major theme throughout the Bible, Infact it is in over 100 verses depending on the version you read.

• In Matthew 18:21–35, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant, teaching us to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven.

• In Ephesians 4:32, we are commanded: ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’

• In Colossians 3:13, Paul says: ‘Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.’

• In Luke 6:37, Jesus declares: ‘Forgive, and you will be forgiven.’

• And Psalm 103 praises God for His mercy: ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.’

****The Word is clear: forgiveness is not optional—it is commanded.”

➡️ Transition: “But if we don’t truly forgive, something dangerous happens—it opens the door for the enemy.”

5. What is The Trap of Unforgiveness?

“We are sometimes quick to say ‘I forgive,’ but deep down we hold onto it this also includes ourselves …. It festers into resentment, bitterness, anger, and hate. We bring it up again and again, reminding others of their failures.

And if the person or people are not around, we rehearse it in our minds, but this also applies to ourselves it looks like ....... ahhh I hate myself, and worse! Right

 Can you see what the enemy is doing? He binds us, chains us, oppresses and depresses, robs us of the freedom Jesus died to give us.”

➡️ Transition: “But here’s the good news—when we forgive, we step back into the power and freedom Jesus purchased for us.”

6. The Power of Forgiveness

“Our forgiving is not just for the benefit of the offender—it is for us. Forgiveness gives us our power back. It liberates us from bitterness and anger. It sets us free to live the abundant life Jesus promised. And unlike us, Jesus forgives completely and remembers our sin no more.”

➡️ Transition into testimony: “And I know this not just from Scripture, but from my own life. Let me share my testimony…”

7. Personal Testimony (Insert here – 7 min)

(This is where you share your personal story of forgiveness, struggle, and breakthrough.)

8. Declaration & Call to Action

“Unforgiveness is the biggest block in our walk with the Lord. But here’s the good news: where we can’t forgive, He can. If you are struggling, pray, confess it to the Lord. Ask for His help. Speak to your pastor, a church councillor and In faith, bless those who have harmed you. Pray for their salvation. Love them—because Jesus loved us first. And then, you will experience breakthrough. You will receive the peace that surpasses all understanding. And you will be able to forgive.”

9. Closing

“So today,

choose true forgiveness.

Let us walk in freedom.

 Let us reflect the mercy of Christ.

Because when we forgive,         we look most like Jesus.”