GTA - More to Chew On

Part 6 - RELEASE

"As we forgive those who sin against us."

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Matt. 18:21

How do you react when someone treats you unfairly?

FORGIVENESS FACTS

Forgiveness is not:

Pretending it never happened
Dismissing it as no big deal
At the expense of accountability and restitution
Equal to forgetting
“Making nice”

Forgiveness is:

To rediscover the frailty of our human condition
To let go of the right to get even
To cancel the debt
To release the need to answer, “why?”
To leave behind the bitterness
To authenticate confession and repentance
To participate in the offenders redemption
To experience that redemption personally

Why must I learn to forgive? Matthew 18:23-35

1. Because Jesus has forgiven us

The servant's master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go. Verse 27

There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8:1

The servant's reaction: When we feel unforgiven, we tend to be unforgiving!

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph. 4:32

2. Because resentment makes us miserable

“Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured…” Matt. 18:33-34

Some men stay happy until the day they die… others have no happiness at all; they live and die with bitter hearts. Job 21:23-25

Do I need to forgive anyone?

The blame test

The bitterness test

The behaviour test

3. Because I'm going to need forgiveness again

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Matt. 18:35

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matt. 5:7

Two options for dealing with hurt: REHEARSE it or RELEASE it

Put your heart right, reach out to God… then face the world again, firm and courageous. Then all your troubles will fade from your memory, like floods that are past and remembered no more.

Job 11:13-16

“He who cannot forgive another breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.” George Herbert

OPEN DIALOGUE QUESTIONS:

Is it possible for someone to do something that shouldn't be forgiven?

Does forgiveness always have to be from the heart, or can it be just a choice?

Recall a time when you asked for forgiveness from someone and it was refused.

How did it make you feel?

Should a person who is forgiven still be required to make restitution?

And what if they can't?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

How many times have I been forgiven by God? By others?
How many times have I forgiven others?
What are some ways I can release it instead of rehearse it?
What are some specific things I need to do to extend forgiveness to someone?