The Freedom of Forgiveness

Title: “The Freedom of Forgiveness” (“Resolved to Forgive Others”)

Series: “Resolved! Taking Advantage of a New Beginning”

Text: Matthew 18:21-35

Theme: Being forgiven and being forgiving

Point: You are not really free until you forgive the ones who have wronged you.

Probing Question: Why forgive?

Transitional Sentence: In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, Jesus gives three reasons why we who are Christians must forgive others from the heart.

Outline:

I. I must forgive because God has forgiven me.

A. Sin is a debt that you owe to God.

1. It is an incalculable debt.

2. It is an unpayable debt.

B. God has forgiven your sin-debt through Jesus Christ.

1. The forgiveness of God is free.

2. The forgiveness of God is full.

3. The forgiveness of God is faithful.

C. The forgiveness you have received from God is the grounds upon which you extend forgiveness to others.

II. I must forgive others because no offense is beyond my forgiveness.

A. The wrong you have suffered from others is significant.

B. The wrong you have suffered from others is insignificant in comparison to the debt you have been forgiven.

III. I must forgive others because unforgiveness is too costly.

A. Unforgiveness is wicked.

B. Unforgiveness is torture.