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Sermon Title: Forgiveness: The Why and How
Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

WHY WE FORGIVE

JESUS FORGAVE US OUR UNPAYABLE DEBTS (WE ARE DEBTOR TOO)

Because our debt was forgiven, we should forgive others

FORGIVENESS BRINGS HEALING AND RESTORATION TO RELATIONSHIPS

Forgiveness will heal our relationships

UNFORGIVENESS POISONS OUR RELATIOSNIP WITH OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN

HOW WE FORGIVE: The process of forgiveness

STEP ONE: REFRAME THE NARRATIVE –PEOPLE OFTEN DON’T KNOW THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THEIR ACTIONS

People fail to predict the FULL consequences of their actions

STEP TWO: PRAY FOR COMPASSION FOR THOSE WHO HARMED YOU

Empathy leads to compassion; compassion to forgiveness

STEP THREE: CONSISTENTLY PRACTICE THE DISCIPLINE OF FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is something that has to be practiced daily

We Speak Forgiveness, even through our pain

CONSIDER JESUS: “FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO”

CONSIDER STEPHEN: “FATHER, DO NOT HOLD THIS SIN AGAINST THEM”

THE STORY OF CORRIE TEN BOOM: WHO FORGAVE AMIDST INCREDIBLE PAIN

Blessing to you all

Colossians 3:12-13

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

Matthew 18:21-35
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 denari; 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.”