Forgiveness in the Kingdom

Matthew 18:15–35


I. OUR GOAL IN CONFLICT IS RESTORATION — VV. 15–20

  1. Restoration is commanded.
  1. Restoration can be resisted.
  1. A lack of restoration has consequences.
  1. God is with us in restoration.

II. OUR FORGIVENESS SHOULD HAVE NO LIMITS — VV. 21–22

  1. Forgiveness is necessary.
  1. Forgiveness is greater than the offense.
  1. Forgiveness is not measured.

III. OUR UNFORGIVENESS HAS CONSEQUENCES WE NEVER EXPECT — VV. 23–30

  1. The power of God’s forgiveness toward us.
  1. The hypocrisy of unforgiveness.

IV. OUR UNFORGIVENESS PUTS US BACK IN PRISON — VV. 31–34

  1. Unforgiveness doesn’t free us; it enslaves us.
  1. We cannot control what happened, but we can choose what we do with it.

V. OUR FORGIVENESS FREES US TO LEAVE JUDGMENT WITH GOD — V. 35

  1. Forgiveness doesn’t deny the offense.
  1. Forgiveness doesn’t automatically eliminate consequences.
  1. Forgiveness releases the debt to God.
  1. Forgiveness frees the heart.

WHO DO I NEED TO FORGIVE?