January 22nd & 26th
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
—John 10:10b ESV
But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
—Matthew 6:15 ESV
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
22“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
—Matthew 18:21-22 NLT
YOU OWE
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’
—Matthew 18:23-26 ESV
YOU RECEIVE
So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
—Matthew 18:26-27 ESV
YOU LEND
But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.
32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.
—Matthew 19:28-35
God doesn’t command you to forgive to invalidate your hurt. He commands you to forgive to heal you from your hurt
INVITE help
EMBRACE the process
RELEASE the debt
FILL OUT YOUR CONNECTION CARD HERE
Next Steps:
1. I know that I OWE and today I ask the Lord to forgive me of my unpayable debt.
2. I know that God has given me a name or names of the person/people that I need to forgive, and today I choose to release them from their debt.
3. I will read the story of Joseph this week to learn more about forgiveness in action (Genesis 37-45).
4. I will begin attending Celebrating Recovery on Tuesdays at 6:00pm to find help in my forgiveness process.