SundaySermon - Prince - Forgiveness

 Forgiveness

God’s forgiveness is offered to us so that we can forgive others

Verse: Matthew 6:12

12 “and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”

The verse seems to suggest that because there is a wrong done to us, we have a right to make people pay…. And if God did that for us, no human would live. But in contrast, forgiveness brings life!!!

This life is not referring to salvation. This life is referring to abundance of life when we deal with people around us. When people are burdened by struggles, our forgiveness brings relief and joy!!! 

Verse: Psalm 65:3

3 “Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.”

There is a burden, a weight, heaviness with the requirement to pay. We are overwhelmed by this requirement. 

The Adulteress

There was a woman in John 8 who was required to pay with her life. She was overwhelmed …she was caught in the act and was paraded through the street. The call for payment was not only to pay for the sin….and perhaps a warning to others. And here is what Jesus said…

Verse: John 8:10-11

10 “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 

11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” 

The overwhelming requirement to pay with her life was replaced with overwhelming forgiveness. This is offered to every one of us

Verse: 1 John 1:9

9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

Saul and David

The Kings of Israel were anointed by the Lord. But that does not mean that the didn’t go wrong. 

Saul was confronted with his sin…. It took a while before he confessed his sin. He kept defending it until he had no defence.  

Verse: 1 Samuel 15:24

24 “Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.”

David was confronted with his sin…..he was quick to confess and ask forgiveness. But that didn’t mean he didn’t face consequences. 

Verse: 2 Samuel 12:12

12 “You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.””

God exposes sin so that sin will not have power of your life anymore. You don’t have to live in fear that someone else will find out anymore!!!

Seventy times Seven!!!

Peter was probably a perfectionist. His perfection standard applied very strongly with the people around him. He rationalised and wanted to come to a formula to where people had to stop sins against him. And here is Jesus reply. 

Verse: Matthew 18:22

22 ““No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

What does Seventy times Seven mean? 490? It really means infinity !!!

Because un-forgiveness will come back for us in the end

Verse: Matthew 18:34

33 “Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 

34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.”

Why do we want to be tortured by our own un-forgiveness? Let it go! Let us choose to forgive and it brings you to a place where you are debt-free. You can wake up every morning to enjoy the day as God wants you to rightly enjoy!!!

Let us enjoy the miracle of forgiveness!!! Let us choose to forgive the people around us!!!

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