TITLE: EFFECTS OF UNFORGIVENESS
MEMORIZE: And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12
BIBLE READING MATTHEW 18:21-35
[21]Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
[22]Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
[23]Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[24]And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
[25]But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
[26]The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[27]Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
[28]But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29]And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30]And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31]So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32]Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[33]Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34]And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
[35]So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 13 DECEMBER 2023 MESSAGE
I once heard the story of a teacher who asked his students to buy fresh tomatoes and bring them to school.
The students did as they were told, and the teacher asked them to put the tomatoes in their bags and go everywhere with them.
After some days, the students started complaining of the stench from the rotten tomatoes in their bags and how they were tired of going about with them.
The teacher then told them that the rotten tomatoes signified the people who had offended them, but who they had refused to forgive: the bag was their heart, and the smell was what came out of them when they refused to forgive.
The Holy Spirit cannot stay in a rotten heart, and if He is not there, an evil spirit will take over, Would you rather allow an evil spirit to dwell in you?
If the Almighty God can forgive us over and over when we sin, we should also do the same.
Do you have a diary where you write the names of offenders and their offences? You need to destroy it today and let them go.
KEY POINT
You can also forgive just as God your Father forgives you. Simple!
HYMN 21 – I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
- I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met his Father there. - I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one mark’d an angry word,
That ever heard Him speak, - I want to be like Jesus,
I never, never find
That He, though persecuted was
To anyone unkind. - I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good;
So that of me it may be said
“He hath done what he could.” - I want to be like Jesus,
Who sweetly said to all,
“Let little children come to Me;”
I would obey the call. - But oh I’m not like Jesus,
As anyone may see;
O gentle Saviour, send Thy grace,
And make me like to Thee
BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: 1 THESSALONIANS 1-3
AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE