The Motivation to Forgive: Sermon Guide

The following blog post contains notes and application questions from our March 10, 2019 message, The Motivation to Forgive.

Discussing and Applying the Sermon

• Before hearing the sermon, what was your perspective on forgiveness? After hearing it, has your perspective changed at all? If so, how?
• Is there anyone in your life that you have not forgiven? If so, begin by doing the work of being specific and taking inventory of how you’ve been hurt…the work of defining what’s been taken from you and what the debt really is. Then, have your community group hold you accountable to set up a time to talk to that person and forgive them.

Summary

Isn’t it amazing what a little change in perspective can do? What’s your perspective on forgiveness? Do you know what the Bible teaches about forgiveness? Every single one of us has been hurt by someone. We’ve all been a victim to one degree or another at some point. This week, Adam Tarnow walks us through Matthew 18:21-35 in the first part of a two-part series on forgiveness.

Key Takeaways

• Forgiveness is releasing a debt that is owed to you.
• Relationally, debt is the breaking of trust between two people. And we all know there is nothing people can do to pay us back...the question is: are we going to carry their invoice around with us, or are we going to rip it up?
• Forgiven people forgive people.
• Forgiveness is a response to God’s mercy.
• The motivation to forgive comes from focusing on your own sin.
• Your sin has offended God far more than you will ever be hurt or offended by someone else.
• When you stand in the shadow of your hurt, forgiveness seems like an unfair reward. When you stand in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is a gift one sinner gives another.
• Jesus is saying: not forgiving someone is evidence you are not following Him. It’s incompatible to claim to be a Christian and not forgive others.
• Have you done the work of being specific and taking inventory of how you’ve been hurt? Of defining what’s been taken from you and what the debt really is?

Mentioned or Recommended Resources

• Suggested Scripture study: Matthew 18:21-35
• Sermon: Anger & Forgiveness
• Sermon: Following, Forgiving, and Making Things Right
• Real Truth Real Quick: Do You Have to Forget to Forgive?