Sabbath 8/12/17 Seventh Day Baptist Edgewater, FL Pastor Keith sermon “Forgiveness”

Sabbath 8/12/17 Seventh Day Baptist Edgewater, FL Pastor Keith sermon “Forgiveness” Matthew 18:21-35


Have you ever felt wronged by someone or being taken advantaged of? Most of us have had times when we were angry at someone for what they did to us. We must practice forgiveness to them. I’m not saying to continue to be a door mat for somebody by letting them keep abusing you. But we must know how to forgive. We don’t want to keep anger in us until we are boxed in by the lines being drawn between us. The chalk lines of “we are not going to speak to them ever again”. The chalk lines are marked around us until we are boxed in. Jesus said we are to knock down all barriers between us and others. He said as a Christian, we have given up the opportunity to do revenge on them or to keep the anger inside of us.

In our scripture text, Jesus said we are to forgive people 7 times 70 times. Then Jesus told the story of a Master forgiving his servant a debt of ten thousand talents, which in our money would be 10 million dollars. Now this forgiven servant had a friend who owed him in our money, one thousand six hundred dollars. He would not forgive his friend the debt but instead had him thrown in jail for the $1,600 owed. The Master, once he heard of this, was angry because he had not forgiven the man so the wicked servant was thrown into jail till he repaid the 10 million dollars he owed. Jesus said this is what God the Father will do to us if we don’t forgive other people.

***What We Are To Do***

1) Forgive others as God has forgiven us.

We have been forgiven so forgive others.


2) Failure to forgive blocks the flow of God’s blessings

Unforgiveness in our hearts will block God’s blessings. We will miss the great things He has for us. Don’t try to get revenge on them but let God do it himself. People always think they need to help God out when doing something. God does not need our help!!


3) Remember the 7 x70 times Jesus said to forgive people.


4) Remember the 10 million dollars.

This is what God has done for you and me. Remember the little $1,600 that they owe you.


5) Remember God’s mercy and repent of your unforgiveness and anger.


6) Pray to God.

Pray without ceasing to God and walk in Faith with the Lord. Pray for the person who hurt and abused us. The Bible says to pray for your enemies.


7) Make the first move to show forgiveness.

When Jesus was on the cross, He asked God to forgive the people who were killing Him. Jesus showed us forgiveness. May the Lord help us to forgive others who are indebted to us or who may have done us wrong.

AMEN
 
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