Tough Stuff # 2 – Release

We can all identify with the feeling that somebody owes us something for the way that they’ve treated us. We want payback. Unfortunately, in many cases, the damage has been done and there’s no way that things can be paid back. The temptation that we have is to hold on to injury, but when we hold on to hurt it seems to only hurt us further. Bitterness and hatred are corrosive things that eat away at our hearts, and will eventually consume us. So the question is what are we supposed to do? What does Jesus say we are to do here? This Sunday, Pastor Josh continues a series called Tough Stuff, looking at some of the things that Jesus taught about the issues that too often arise in our relationships with other people.

TOUGH STUFF

Message by Josh Mutter – January 20, 2019

RELEASE

IN GOD’S KINGDOM, THERE IS NO LIMIT TO FORGIVENESS

Matthew 18:21-22  Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

GOD’S FORGIVENESS IS LIMITLESS

Matthew 18:23-27  “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.”

THE TRUE NATURE OF OUR HEARTS IS REVEALED BY HOW WE INTERACT WITH OTHERS

Matthew 18:28-30  “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.”

WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT WE DO WITH THE FORGIVENESS WE HAVE RECEIVED

Matthew 18:31-34 “When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.”

FORGIVENESS IS TO BE AN ONGOING PART OF FOLLOWING JESUS

Matthew 18:35  “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”