Sermon On The Mount | Total Forgiveness

Radiant Church Jackson

Matthew 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiveness Does NOT Mean:

1. Forgiveness is not letting people get away with something.
2. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciliation.
3. Forgiveness does not always require a conversation.

The Consequences of Unforgiveness:

1. Unforgiveness handcuffs us to our past.

Mark 6:17-19
For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.

2. Unforgiveness poisons our soul.

2 Corinthians 2:10-11
And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

3. Unforgiveness forfeits intimacy with God.

Matthew 6:15
If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

What Is Forgiveness?

1. Forgiveness is a choice to release someone from an offense.

Matthew 18:21-22 21
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

2. Christ’s example of forgiveness empowers us.

Ephesians 4:32-5:2
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3. Forgiveness is refusing to enact the penalty due to another.

Acts 7:59-60 59
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

4. Forgiveness is refusing to gossip.

Proverbs 17:9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.