Forgiven And Forgiving
Part of Ninety Day New Testament Challenge
January 12, 2020

FORGIVEN AND FORGIVING

Text: Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

1. Why We Don’t Forgive

  • Four excuses:

    1) I can’t forgive because it is too

    .

    2) I’ll forgive when they say they are sorry. Until then, I’m going to carry this offense.

    3) I can’t forgive if I can’t

    .

    4) But if I forgive them, they’ll just do it again.

2. Why We Should Forgive

  • Four reasons:

    1) Because of the

    we’ve received. (vv. 27, 33)

    2) Because of the

    we experience. (vv. 31-35)

    • Unforgiveness cuts a swath of destruction across our lives and others.

    3) Because of the

    we can have. (vv. 34-35)

    • Refusal to forgive traps us in the world’s worst prison, the unforgiving heart, and torments our souls. The word torment in the text actually speaks of soul torment.

3. What Forgiveness Is

  • Forgiveness is a decision to release a person from an obligation that resulted from the offense. (cf. v. 27)
  • Forgiveness is deciding to pay the debt myself. I absorb it.

    1) A

    in time

    2) A

    over time

Bottom line: people are people.

  • We don’t forgive perfectly, but we are committed to growing in our willingness and ability to forgive.

  • Next Steps:

    1)

    God’s Forgiveness

    2)

    forgiveness

    3)

    God’s forgiveness