Sermon Notes: Unreasonable Forgiveness
June 29, 2025
“How many times do I have to forgive someone?” – Peter
Forgive = aphiemi “to let go”
God lets our offenses go and condemns Jesus out of His deep love for us!
Two Answers
- Seven times – Peter
- Unlimited amount – Jesus
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to…” – Matthew 18:23
Forgiveness reflects God’s character and marks the lives of those who claim to follow Him.
Jesus creates a “new way” in relationships
- Forgiveness is a key ingredient for healing
- Restoration can happen if both parties own their part
- Reconciliation is possible only if trust is rebuilt
It all starts with forgiveness
Two Debts
- 200,000 years of salary
Forgiveness is not reasonable!
“To forgive is to condemn the fault but to spare the doer.” – Miroslav Volf, Theologian
- Three months of salary
“If you don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Is Jesus suggesting that God won’t forgive if we don’t forgive?
Answer: NO
Unwillingness to forgive may reveal that we haven’t really received or embraced God’s forgiveness ourselves.
The Journey of Forgiveness
- God freely forgives when we confess.
- Forgiven people are commanded to forgive
- Forgiveness is NOT: denying, approving, excusing, conditional, or indifferent.
- The cost of unforgiveness is “prison.”
- Forgiveness is a key ingredient for healing
So, how do we forgive?
Embrace God’s forgiveness in Jesus
Decide to forgive, knowing that it is a process
Trust God to help you let go, knowing that you can’t do it on your own.