Forgiveness — Not An Option

Download: Audio

Scripture: Matthew 18:21 – 35

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.” Read more…

Sermon Notes:

At the 15:17 point in the recording, there is an invitation to prayer around the theme of forgiveness. It may be helpful to pray this prayer more than once. To that end, it is printed below. At the 29:11 point in the recording, reference is made to a book by Lysa TerKeurst titled, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget.

Jesus, you instruct us in the Lord’s Prayer, that as you forgive us, so should we forgive others.
Today we choose to forgive.
We declare that we will make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who has offended us.
Lord, we remember that you have forgiven. Therefore, we must forgive others.
As a church family, we choose to owe nothing to anyone except for our obligation to love them.
We confess, as we love our neighbours, we fulfill what you have called us to be.
Holy Spirit, we ask you to help us all, as individuals and as a church family, to forgive the people who have hurt us.
Heal our emotions that have been wounding us.
Teach us how to love unconditionally.
Help us to be quick to listen and slow to speak, just as you are.
Holy Spirit, remind us of all the grace extended to us, despite our sins.
Help us to generously extend grace to others who have sinned against us.
Discipline us so that we will not easily take offense.
Lord, help us to extend mercy to others and let go of the past, so that we can move forward toward our future.
Forgive us, Lord, for not being forgiving.
Forgive us for holding grudges, for thinking evil thoughts, for seeking revenge.
Forgive us for hatred, for malice.
Forgive us for not letting your love flow through us to others.
Forgive us for gossiping, for lying.
Forgive us for rehearsing offenses in our minds over and over again.
Lord, right now, forgive me for these sins that I have committed: ___________________________________
Remind us, Lord, that in your word, you say that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us abundantly, generously.
So Holy Spirit, remind us all to forgive each other and other people, and help us to forgive.
Holy Spirit, bring to mind now, those that I’m feeling prompted to forgive.

I choose to forgive ____________________.

Lord, help us to trust you to heal any wounds in our souls caused by unforgiveness.
Amen.

(This prayer was adapted from here.)