Introduction

Good morning, dear congregation. It's a beautiful day, isn't it? A day that our Lord has made and a day that we are blessed to be a part of. Today, we gather here, not just as individuals, but as a collective body of Christ, united by our faith and love for our Savior. We are here to share in the Word of God, to learn from His teachings, and to grow in our understanding of His divine love and mercy.

Today, we are going to focus on a topic that is as challenging as it is rewarding - forgiveness. Now, forgiveness isn't always easy, is it? It requires strength, humility, and a heart that mirrors God's own. But it is an integral part of our Christian walk. In fact, it is so important that our Savior himself taught us to pray, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

The great theologian and preacher, Charles Spurgeon once said, "To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison with it. But yet there is one thing sweeter still and that is to forgive." This quote encapsulates the essence of our topic today - forgiveness.

Forgiveness Fundamentals

The first thing we need to understand about forgiveness is its necessity. The servant owed his master an enormous debt. He couldn't pay it back. He was in a hopeless situation. But his master, moved with compassion, forgave him the entire debt. This is a picture of us. We owe a debt to God that we can't pay. We've all sinned, and the wages of sin is death. But God, in His mercy, has forgiven us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

The second thing we need to understand about forgiveness is its scope. The servant's debt was astronomical. It was a debt so large that it would be impossible to repay. But his master forgave him all of it. Not just a part of it, but all of it. This is how God forgives us. He doesn't just forgive some of our sins. He forgives all of them. Past, present, and future.

The third thing we need to understand about forgiveness is its reciprocity. After the servant was forgiven his debt, he went out and found a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller amount. But instead of forgiving this debt, he had his fellow servant thrown into prison. When his master found out, he was angry and handed the unmerciful servant over to be tortured. This is a stark reminder that we are expected to forgive others, just as we have been forgiven.

The fourth thing we need to understand about forgiveness is its liberating power. When the servant was forgiven his debt, he was freed from the burden of it. He no longer had to worry about repayment. He was set free. This is what happens when we forgive others. We are freed from the burden of bitterness, resentment, and anger. We are set free to live in the peace and joy that God intends for us.

Forgiveness From God's Perspective

The first thing we notice is the sheer magnitude of the servant's debt ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO