Introduction

Good morning, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we're going to unpack a powerful parable from the Gospel of Matthew. This passage speaks to the heart of our human struggle with forgiveness, and it lays bare the consequences of unforgiveness in our lives. It's a story that calls us to reflect on the way we treat others in light of how God has treated us.

As Corrie Ten Boom once said, "Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart." What an insight! It speaks to the fact that forgiveness is not just an emotional response, but a deliberate choice we make – often despite our feelings.

Let's turn to the Scriptures now. The passage we will be discussing today is Matthew 18:21-35.

[Read passage]

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, as we delve into Your Word today, we ask that You open our hearts to understand the depth of Your forgiveness toward us, and the importance of extending that same forgiveness to others. Give us the courage to let go of any unforgiveness that may be binding us, and help us to live in the freedom of Your love and grace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Ready? Let's dive right in.

The Danger of Unforgiveness

Unforgiveness, my friends, is a dangerous thing. It's like a poison that seeps into our hearts, tainting our relationships, our perspective, and our peace of mind. It's a burden that we carry, often unaware of the toll it's taking on our spiritual, emotional, and even physical health.

When we harbor unforgiveness: We're not just holding onto a grudge or a past hurt. We're actually holding onto a debt that we believe someone owes us. This is vividly illustrated in the parable we read from Matthew 18. The servant owed his king an astronomical debt, one he could never hope to repay. When the king forgave this debt, it was an act of incredible mercy. But when this same servant refused to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt, it was a shocking display of unforgiveness.

A mirror held up to our own lives: How often do we, who have been forgiven an unpayable debt by God, hold onto the debts of others? How often do we demand payment for wrongs done to us, even as we bask in the grace of God's forgiveness? This is the danger of unforgiveness. It's a form of spiritual amnesia, where we forget the grace we've received and become harsh creditors to those around us.

Erects walls in our relationships: It creates a barrier of bitterness and resentment that can isolate us from others. It's a self-imposed prison that keeps us from experiencing the freedom and joy of genuine relationships. We become so focused on the debt we believe is owed to us that we miss out on the beauty of reconciliation and restored relationships.

Can hinder our relationship with God: In the parable, the king, representing God, was angry with the unforgiving servant and handed him over to the jailers until he could repay his debt. This is a sobering reminder that unforgiveness can create a barrier in our relationship with God. It's not that God stops loving us, but our unforgiveness can hinder our ability to receive His love and grace fully.

Can impact our physical health: Research has shown that holding onto anger and resentment can lead to a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and a weakened immune system. It's a heavy burden to carry, and it's one that God doesn't want for us.

It can become a cycle: When we refuse to forgive, we're more likely to be hurt again, which only adds to our store of resentment and bitterness. This cycle can continue indefinitely, causing untold damage to our hearts and our relationships.

The Power of Forgiveness

The power of forgiveness weaves its way through the entire narrative of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO