Inward Prayer

1. What kind of behaviour do you find the most annoying, online or in person?
2. What grudges are you having difficulty letting go?
3. Why does the thought of forgiving others often provoke an emotional response?
4. What is the difference between forgiveness and healing?
5. If you’ve been holding onto a grudge, spend time in prayer. Ask God to free you from the bitterness you’ve been a prisoner to and to help you in seeking reconciliation.Father, thank You for setting the perfect example for us. Thank You for teaching us how to forgive others through the forgiveness You’ve offered us. Help us to live at peace and to rejoice in the freedom You’ve given us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Outward Prayer

THINGS JESUS NEVER SAID: “You don’t need to forgive them.”

 WHATS THE POINT

Our relationships with God’s other children deeply matters to God!

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong. It makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak. It sets you free.” Dave Wills

WORD UP

Matthew 6: 9-15

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.

11 

Give us today our daily bread.

12 

And forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 

And lead us not into temptation,[a]

    but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

WAKE UP

“This series that we are diving into over the next 5 weeks is called “Things Jesus Never Said” and it’s all about looking at the words of Jesus. The words of Jesus are other worldly. To truly understand the power of the truth of what Jesus said, sometimes it helps me to look at what he didn’t say. What he could have said, what he might have said, but what he didn’t say can help us understand the power of what he did say. And today we are we are going to look at what Jesus didn’t say, about the topic of forgiveness.”

Question: Do you know someone who’s social media posts are really annoying?

(Raise hands, those who didn’t raise might be the annoying people. lol)

JESUS DIDN’T SAY:

“Father forgive them, for the do not know what they post.”

“Sorry, you’ve sinned too much for me to forgive you. I can forgive everyone else, but you really get on my nerves.”

WHY DO I CARE? 

1. Those who want to follow Jesus, need to know what Jesus said about forgiveness.
As Christians we have experienced the forgiveness of God and he actually commands us to forgive.

2. Read Scripture

3. Share story of un-forgiveness and its impact on your life

4. Talking about forgiving others creates a lot of emotions, Rightly so!

“You don’t know what someone did to me.”

Share story of deep trauma.

WHAT DO I DO? 

1. How in the world do you forgive something seems unforgivable?

Clue in the prayer Jesus taught us to pray…

⁹ This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven…” Matt 6:9

He’s not just MY Father—He’s OUR Father.

Our relationships with God’s other children deeply matters to God!

Forgiveness is not one and done

Forgiveness is not forgetting

Toxic relationships should be stopped/ Counselling

2. Make it right, then come and worship. 

   ²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matt 5:23-24If we live in bitterness, resentment, and hatred, then we continue to let the wound stay infected and it poisons our soul. 

3. I’m still MAD – What do I do?

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour ^z and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... Matt 5:43-44  (Same sermon—Jesus says…)

Don’t feel like praying—Action before attitude.

Choosing to forgive and healing – There’s a difference

Your prayer may or may not change others, but it always changes you.

4. Forgiveness empowers you to set the prisoner free:
   Realize the prisoner is often you.