APRIL 22, 2023
READ: Matthew 18 (Focus vs. 23–35)
MEMORY VERSE
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5
BACKGROUND
A 2021 news reports told of seventeen missionaries that had been kidnapped by a gang. The gang threatened to kill the group (including children) if their ransom demands weren’t met. Incredibly, all the missionaries were either released or escaped to freedom.
On reaching safety, they sent a message to their captors: “Jesus taught us by word and by His own example that the power of forgiving love is stronger than the hate of violent force. Therefore, we extend forgiveness to you.”
Jesus made it clear that forgiveness is powerful. He said, “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14).
Later, in answering Peter, Christ told how often we should forgive: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (18:22; see vv. 21–35). And on the cross, He demonstrated godly forgiveness when He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Forgiveness at its fullest can be realized when both parties move toward healing and reconciliation.
And while it doesn’t remove the effects of harm done or the need to be discerning in how to address painful or unhealthy relationships, it can lead to restored ones—testifying to God’s love and power.
Let’s look for ways to “extend forgiveness” for His honor.
By: Dave Branon
INSIGHT
“To err is human, to forgive, divine,” wrote poet Alexander Pope. Indeed, it is divine. We tend to fall into one of two traps with forgiveness. The first is the belief that what we do doesn’t matter because we can ask for forgiveness later.
The second is that we limit God’s forgiveness. The point of the parable in Matthew 18:23–35 is that God forgives lavishly and infinitely, yet we must accept His forgiveness and behave accordingly. We’re to forgive others as we’ve been forgiven.
True forgiveness is unnatural to us. Only through Jesus can we truly forgive.
By: Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
When is forgiveness hardest? How can you trust the Holy Spirit to help you forgive?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future” Paul Roose
“We tend to fall into one of two traps with forgiveness. The first is the belief that what we do doesn’t matter because we can ask for forgiveness later. The second is that we limit God’s forgiveness.” Today’s ODB Insight
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Forgiveness at its fullest can be realized when both parties move toward healing and reconciliation…”
PRAYER
“Jesus, help me to reach out to those who need me to forgive them as a testimony of Your power and goodness.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“FORGIVENESS” Lecrae/Tobymac
…My mama told me what I would be in for
If I get to the sun,
get inside of me pimped up
My heart’s been broken
and my wounds been open
And I don’t know if I can hear
I’m sorry been spoken
But those forgiving much
Should be quicker to give it
And God forgave me for it all,
Jesus beg forgiveness
So, when the stones fly and they
Aimed at you
Just say forgive them Father,
They know not what they do
Now you can go and play it
like your own rock ‘n’ roll
It does the job on each and every man’s soul
And when your head is a pillow with a nice fall
You can bet your life that
It’s gonna be a fight y’all
‘Cause we all make mistakes sometimes
And we’ve all stepped across that line
But nothing’s sweeter than the day we find
Forgiveness, forgiveness
And we all stumble and we fall
Bridges burn in the heat of it all
But nothing’s sweeter than the pain
Sweeter than the pain, recall
Time for forgiveness
You know we need that that that
You know we need that that that
You know we need that that that
No matter how lost you are
You’re not that far, you’re not too far
From forgiveness
No matter how hurt you are
You’re not that far, you’re not too far
From forgiveness
And no matter how wrong you are
You’re not that far, you’re not too far
From forgiveness
No matter who you are
You’re not that far, you’re not too far
From forgiveness
Ask for forgiveness
‘Cause we all make mistakes sometimes
And we’ve all stepped across that line
But nothing’s sweeter than the day we find
Forgiveness, forgiveness
…Time for forgiveness
We all need, we all need
We all need forgiveness
We all need, we all need…
We all need forgiveness
And no matter how wrong you are…
No matter who you are
We all need forgiveness; forgiveness
We all need forgiveness; forgiveness…
READING THROUGH THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
2 Samuel 14-15
Luke 17:1-19
