Title: Forgive Your Offenders
Memorize: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” Matthew 18:35 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Matthew 18:23-35 (Nkjv)
[23] Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
[24] And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
[25] But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
[26] The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
[27] Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
[28] “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
[29] So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
[30] And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
[31] So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
[32] Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
[33] Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
[34] And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
[35] “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
Message:
Many people are like the servant in today’s Bible reading. He received forgiveness from his master but refused to forgive his own offender.
Some people usually give the excuse that it is not easy to forgive. However, every time they offend God, He forgives them.
I want you to know that forgiveness is not a choice; it is a command. Today’s memory verse says that God will not forgive you if you do not forgive others.
Believe me, people have wronged me and treated me unjustly in the past, but I asked the Holy Spirit to help me forgive them and take my mind off the issue.
The truth is that no matter how offended you are, you must forgive your offenders because God has commanded it.
My dear child, some hurts take time to heal, and some offences might seem unforgivable; however, the Holy Spirit will comfort you when you are hurting.
I am grateful to God today because He has helped me to forgive a lot of my offenders.
Key Point:
You must forgive those who hurt you.
HYMN: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36 Romans 14:1-23
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye