The Power of Forgiveness | Randy Frazee & Darryl Burton | Summer 2020
Going Deeper Discussion
Why is forgiving people so hard?
In Matthew 5, why would Jesus make reconciliation in our relationships more important to than leaving a gift at the altar?
Do you think we fully understand what it means that God forgave us of our offense against him?
Can you tell a story of when someone forgave you or you forgave someone?
Teaching Notes
Seeking forgiveness is a higher priority than going to church.
ββ¦if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,β―leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.β
Matthew 5:23-24
God has forgiven youβ¦it only makes sense that you would forgive others.
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, βLord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?β―Up to seven times?β
Jesus answered,β―βI tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
βTherefore, the kingdom of heaven is likeβ―a king who wanted to settle accountsβ―with his servants.β―As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of goldβ―was brought to him.β―Since he was not able to pay,β―the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be soldβ―to repay the debt.
βAt this the servant fell on his knees before him.β―βBe patient with me,β he begged, βand will pay back everything.ββ―The servantβs master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
βBut when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. βPay back what you owe me!β he demanded.
βHis fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, βBe patient with me, and I will pay it back.β
βBut he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.β―When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
βThen the master called the servant in. βYou wicked servant,β he said, βI canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.β―Shouldnβt you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?ββ―In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
βThis is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.β
Matthew 18:21-35
10,000 bags of gold = 20 years wage
100 silver coins = 1 day wage
People who hold out on forgiving others hurt themselves more .