The Power of Forgiveness
by Raymond Sloan
December 18, 2024 · Cornerstone Apostolic Church (Chattanooga, TN)
Kind: teaching
Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Matthew 18, Matthew 18:23-27, Matthew 18:28-30, Matthew 18:31-35, Luke 6, Luke 6:22-38

Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/raymond-sloan--the-power-of-forgiveness
Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page.
Free to copy and share with attribution.

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let's put our verse up 633 Matthew 63 3 we've been doing this one all year probably can quote it by now right can anybody help me Matthew 633 somebody well say it Welly that's all thrilling and everything I that was like a thrilling movie you know ready say it again but all right seek first the kingdom now of course every month we've had a different topic different theme about that this month being it being December we always uh refer to the birth of Christ the greatest gift and um the kingdom of heaven I'm I'm not sure if this past 12 months has helped you or not but I hope that somewhere along the way you have reignited a passion for heaven not earth not things of Earth not things that are going to burn or or get thrown up but things that are Eternal amen uh we will seek first the kingdom and his righteousness and then the confidence we have is that all things that are prevalent needed are going to be there for us has anybody found that to be true putting God first is a good idea Matthew chapter 18 let's go there I uh appreciate Sam teaching Brother Sam taught last week did a great job um good good time there and I do appreciate greatly him doing that I'm going to pick back up where he left off but let's for the sake of our story Matthew chapter 18 verse number 23 if you have your Bible you're welcome to turn there um if you're looking at me I will know that you don't have your Bible and you're reading the screen over my head that's how I catch people who don't have their Bible out there looking at me I'm like you be reading therefore is the Kingdom of Heaven likened unto a certain King which would takeen account of his servants verse 24 when he had begun to reckon one was brought unto him which owed him 10,000 talents but for as much as he had not to pay his Lord commanded him to be sold his wife children and all that he had and for the payment to be made the servant verse 26 therefore fell down and worshiped him saying Lord have patience with me I I I will pay thee all and the lord of the servant was moved with compassion say compassion somebody and loosed him and forg gave him the debt okay we we did that the first week and then last week the lesson but the same servant went out found one of his fellow servants which owed him 100 Pence he laid hands on him took him by the throat saying pay me that thou owest and his fellow servant fell down at his feet besought him saying have patience with me I will pay thee all and he would not but went cast him into prison till he should pay the debt okay so that brings us up to tonight so we got two individuals here they got the king the Lord the ruler the big guy the boss the owner okay he's got a a servant that while he's taking account of what's owed and what they do their job descriptions how they interact and so forth finds uh $226 million is owed he forgives that debt that's the 10,000 talents big debt and then that particular guy goes out finds somebody who owes him about $250 grabs him by the throat puts him in jail and says you're going to pay me what you owe now I don't know about you but there's a vast difference between these two agreed anybody I'll put it in perspective for you McDonald's Ruth's Chris little different okay last week Brother Sam brought to the the table if you will in his in in the lesson he taught was the power of forgiveness the gift of forgiveness tonight let's continue here in the story this will be our third and final session on this but I think that this is probably the most important part of our lesson

verse 31 so when his fellow servants saw what he had done they were very sorry came and told their lord all that was done then his Lord after that he had called him said unto him now this is to the first servant that owed him so much money that was forgiven said unto him oh look look what he say he called him said unto him oh thy Wicked servant I I forgave thee all that debt because thou desirest me 33 shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant even as I had pity on thee and his Lord was wroth delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all that was do unto him so likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone is brother their trespasses so the entirety of the story is very simple actually the king looks at his servants where they stand with him one servant he doesn't give his name doesn't give what he does it doesn't matter the point of the red letters is a parable in which that we're learning a lesson and in this lesson we learn that this servant begs the king to give him time help let let him help me please to have time to pay the debt the Bible says we read it that the Lord had compassion on him and said you know what done you desired me to do this you asked me to do this I'm going to write it off the mercy and the grace the Forgiveness all those things that the Lord had with this servant was simply a lesson for you and I to understand today the power of a forgiving Lord okay is anybody in here ever sinned all right we only have one that has it oh okay okay make sure everybody's plugged in I think we have okay hands down has anybody here ever been forgiven of your sins then I think we understand the value the amount was not the point the point was simply this he had a Deb he couldn't pay but he was forgiven given of that by somebody who had no reason to pay it so when it comes down to it this then servant goes and finds fellow servant that means somebody equal if you will on the same plane as him that only owes him 250 what would be today's $250 now $250 is a lot if you only have 5 cents agreed I don't even know where to start with 226 million and how much that is I will tell you this the amounts are not the point when that servant went out to the fellow servant and says to him you owe me took him by the throat demanded for the payment to be made there was something to be said then about the attitude and the actions of that servant now the reason I asked you a moment ago is anybody he ever sinned is because I I really I really think as humans we are very good at that Disobedience transgressions sin thoughts intentions ideas stuff that probably I mean if if if we were perfect if any one of us was perfect we would hear the wings flutter on your back tonight and that we would watch the glow of the the crown that would set around your head wouldn't we but we we're not we all have things stuff that we're working on and working through that we're praying through that we're believing God for and the fact remains is that as Servants of the Lord Jesus Christ we have a debt that we're not able to pay you and I 2024 we will run to we will just as fast as we can get to Mercy and Grace and we will allow it to work in our life but so many times we get enough mercy and Grace to listen to me to work for us but we won't then share our that mercy and Grace with someone else have you ever been wronged and forgave somebody and them turned their back on you that feels pretty good that's probably one of the great joys of humanity yeah I forgave him oh that was thank you nobody likes that okay yet again the example given in Matthew 18 is not about the amount it's about what the Lord's power of forgiveness can do to somebody and then our lack of ability to share the same kind of forgiveness to our fellow servant something that Jesus did he was the Supreme forgiver father forgive them they know not what they do sure they knew what they were doing to Jesus but they didn't know what they were doing to Eternity see they would have never killed him if they thought for a moment that in three days he'd come up out of that grave alive and slay all the Death hell in the grave in the process but Jesus knew if I can forgive them and show them the power of forgiveness then whatever comes after that will not matter why because in forgiveness you hear the preacher tonight in forgiveness you release responsibility you release the hurt and the pain the suffering now who deals with it who the one that you've given it to cuz now they hold that he forgave me of that what do I do with this forgiveness I tell you a lot of us a lot of humans a lot of people do and have done forever and it's just part of human nature is we then take that forgiveness we've been given and we secretly put it in a box somewhere and we hold it and we even show it we get it out sometime I've been forgiven of all this but when somebody comes to us and ask for forgiveness no you really wronged me listen to me we try to reallocate the Forgiveness card see we we and know this is Humanity this is in the DNA of humanity we want to reallocate the funds of forgiveness Lord I I love you and I messed up can you forgive me okay under the blood your brother sister somebody something happens and and you hold a grudge against them I have I have literally heard out of in my ears people say I will never forgive them them of that fine you're not hurting them at all what you just did is you reallocated forgiveness and it's not going to come to you and so don't be a don't be astounded and stand there at judgment and say I don't even know now you know what forgiveness is about huh you know what forgiveness is about somebody let me ask it this way what do you think why why did that servant have a change of heart towards his fellow servant he was just forgiven this 10,000 talents this millions of dollars I I have no doubt he got up from there and okay yeah woo yeah thank you just been it's gone goes his wife look I got all this forgiveness from the Lord today look kids you don't have to go to jail look at all this forgiveness I got hey honey would you put this away for me I got to go find somebody that owes me money what was the change of heart that's a question greed what else well what's the change me he just stood there in front of his Lord heard the words I I you know what it's done and then he turns from that does what he does and then goes it even takes him by the throat man there's some detail here this isn't hey I need that hey my no I mean we're physical now why the change of heart but what happened with all that forgiveness he had just received in comparison 226 mil to 250 but he had plenty to hand out the guy was even willing to go and work for Gayla give me some time to pay the debt that's what he says so he's willing to go and do what he's got to do to get it here's here's the point of the whole lesson listen to me I know that such as the kingdom of Heen when we do Kingdom of Heaven kind of stuff BEC okay I better I better establish this first has anybody been to Heaven no see so we don't know we don't know we know what we read but the scripture is very specific I has not seen ear we don't know what's there we we've got a lot of Hope we got a lot of word that we've built an entire life on but listen to me friend in this season of giving so many times we miss the principles that the word is trying to get into US it doesn't say that it's always easy but it says there is power in that forgiveness here's the question can I ask when when when the the servant that was forgiven of the great debt when was called back into the courtroom cuz that's technically what happened you go get that guy bring him here so they went got him brought him back into the king's court okay the king looks at him what what is what does he call him what's it say wicked wicked man you've been forgiven of this huge debt you Wicked servant the entirety of your wrong your decision and everything has changed you from listen to this changed you from forgiven to Wicked now ask yourself that when's the last time you appreciated that title and they call me wicked nobody wants that but that's what the Lord calls him now you're Wicked Wicked why because he was forgiven yet he was unable to go to his brother and forgive him it doesn't say that it was an easy task but so many times we Harbor things in our heart we don't want to give them up because it gives us it gives us a title it gives us the ability to hold something over their head huh here here here we go let me ask you a couple question do you think it was justifiable for the Lord the king to bring that guy back into his courtroom he had already forgiven him did he have a right to bring him back that's a question anybody why it's his court make him okay come on I'm not coming out there you're coming in here anybody ever been in a courtroom well that's the coolest place to be huh everybody's relaxed and chilled out huh this is fun right my son had I told yall my son had to go one time because he had tiet I said I'm going with you buddy all right Dad he was like 16 17 all right go in there put your church clothes on huh put your pants your tie your shirt jacket dad listen to your dad but that we walk in the courtroom they call out the order the guy in front of Stephen my son the guy in front of him pants on the ground hat backwards shirt all messed up walk stands in front of the judge calls his name judge looks at him says you come in my courtroom looking like that and the guy's standing there with an attitude now because of the way he was addressed you're coming in my courtroom dressed like that I don't think so Bay 30 days get him out of here my son standing there I said what I tell you buddy what what did what did Daddy tell you all right he steps up I'm behind him all right what kind of grades you make A's what's your favorite class all of them I mean he's he's giv an account I'm behind him I'm just standing I got my suit on I understand a courtroom judge looks at me he his father yes sir yes sir that's my son right there is he a good kid yes sir he just messed up didn't you mess up son yes sir I did yes sir I did I messed I messed up a lot I didn't mean I bet it's just a big old it's just a mess son backing I'm joking you know what he did this is what judge did Judge said okay and he's writing stuff in steeve Steven's eyes are were this big and he says Baya take him over to the holding cells I just backed away and he turned around looks at I said so Baya takes opens the anybody ever seen in the holding cells huh it was so great the door opens and there's seven or eight inmates in there hey come in here we when Steven I said he come back over I said what'd you learn yes sir yes sir yes sir yes sir yes sir yes sir judge I'm so sorry you won't ever see my face again judge said I know don't come back in here here's my point when you come into the court the judge the ruler owns the gavel and it don't matter if you look this way or that way listen to me listen to me the way you present yourself makes it or breaks it I'm convinced the young man in front of stepen could have pulled up his pants tightened him up turned his hat take it off to sir I'm so sorry this is what I have and I'm I'm convinced that judge probably would have said okay but when the attitude fell out of his mouth guess what the judge did I don't got time for this here's my point do you think that Lord was justified bringing that man back into his courtroom because of that man's actions he had already forgiven him but he brings him back for what purpose the Bible said he was wroth when was the last time he used that word parents I challenge you this next week when you get upset with your kids use that word I am wroth with you see what they say they'll be like Siri what is Roth you know trying to figure out he was wroth he was mad angry Furious hey question what would you have done in that situation huh cuz I can almost get guarantee now the servant who was mad or took his fellow servant by the throat I would almost guarantee he's probably got an attitude Seth he's Justified his actions the fellow servant's not back in the courtroom he's not in the courtroom how would you have responded to the man who was forgiven of the large debt compared to holding his fellow servant in contempt of the a small dead what would have been your response huh that's a hard one right why because listen to me because our culture and our society today especially we have seen an increase in this in our world is that you owe me I am entitled to uh did anybody get the whatever phone calls that come in I I call it junk and I usually don't answer come on your phone it says spam they got tired of talking because i' answer hello spam okay listen have you ever gotten one says if you're due recompensing from sh chemical disease in 1921 players press one I'm like I wish I could talk to him I'd ask him what is re ably I'd love to know it that's is that like rber flaven I don't know what that is but there's settlements there's these huge court cases and what are people looking for sent I just want my sent why what are you going to do with your sent well I'm on I got money then what are you going to do with your money I don't know because I can almost promise you listen to me the attitude and the actions of humanity says I want to take the easiest Road and I don't want to have to work for it why why because that's the nature of humanity now stay with me for a moment I'm watching the clock we're okay I am certain that we all understand the power of a forgiving Lord right when we mess up what do we ask him for anybody forgive me me mercy could you again forgive me could you one more time help I know I've asked you this before but I messed up again and now I'm back I'm sorry forgive me you would think that we would run out of it wouldn't we are y'all y'all G to hang on to me for a minute I really feel like sometimes we do run out of it you know why is because we haven't learned the power of forgiveness and the more we hoard we're less likely to forgive others and in that we are getting further and further away from him judgment comes to those who won't forgive so you can be wronged and still be right on how you treat it everyone of your parents have been wronged haven't you huh your kids ever done something and you had to back up and take one of them oh Lord Jesus L one two I can't get to 10 smack oh sorry huh listen to me we understand that our actions sometimes will qualify Us and how we interact with those around us but listen carefully Jesus came into this world with so much forgiveness so much power to give forgiveness that you and I are recipients each one of that forgiveness and we have the promise then daily to go back to him and pray seek his face look for him look to him find him understand him fall in love with him last week Brother Sam so we see so well put together a lesson on the gift of forgiveness something you can give people I forgive you of that it doesn't mean it makes everything perfectly and as it was before anybody ever had a flat tire in a car what do they do with it they patch it if it's patchable does it mean it's the same Tire as before yes but with a plug with a patch does the tire work is that okay you understand that's the Simplicity of it you can still be forgiven and still have plugs and patches but you can still move you don't have to stop and go into the shop or on a set of blocks and say well not going to move that one anymore no you get up and you keep moving forward when you sin and you mess up what do you do so many times I'm not sure how you act but so many times we can take forgiveness for granted I I can just come back to God and ask forgiveness and he'll forgive me and then we just do the wrong again anybody what if we were to Simply understand the power of forgiveness the law of forgiveness and then we give our best to help others understand the law of forgiveness and how we interact with them Luke the doctor buddy he he he's some kind of writer

Luke chapter 6 let's go there quickly Luke chapter 6 notice notice how this unfold again this is probably if in your King James this is this would be in red red letter Edition blessed are ye verse 22 notice the writing here blessed are ye when men shall hate you how many enjoy the big ha hatred you just love people hating on you huh it doesn't say blessed are ye if men hate you does it no When shall hate you it's going to happen and when they shall separate you from their company and shall reproach you and cast out your your name as evil for the son of man sake has anybody ever been separated from their company because you weren't like them that's the coolest feeling in the world isn't it oh you're one of them no we huh man high school's great for that isn't it that's that's that's one of the best training grounds that none of us like boy I'm going to get stuck here if I don't keep moving but when I left high school at 18 I was just 18 I went in the basic training guess what I learned in basic training that wasn't in high school everybody pays the piper I'm like man that ain't even at all fair I don't care get down and then then then the psychology brother Rob was is halfway through basic training the guy who messed up guess what he got to do stand well we did it what's wrong with you what do we learn we're all in this together we're all working we're all moving we're all going forward and to be separated and pushed out nobody wants that we want to all be included and all being in involved what what is that that that legitimate sickness or disease and fomo I heard that some time ago and I'm like what that you may know what that stands for fear of missing out that's a real thing isn't it how many enjoy being left out missing out on a conversation sometimes I'm so glad I'm not in it you know what that don't even look good standing over there them talking if I go over there right now they're going to ask me my opinion and I got two and I don't know which one to give them you know huh hey it's funny to watch y'all in church so anyway you know what the Lord said they're talking over here your you're afraid you're gonna miss something huh am I right I watch for that stuff I think it's the funniest thing to watch and then I when I know they're listening I start making up stuff I think it's really good but you're going to be separated and pushed out for his name's sake notice notice what it said follow me in Luke Rejoice ye in that Day verse 23 says rejoice in that day leap for Joy for behold your reward is great in heaven so if somebody excommunicates you pushes you out because you're not acting like them and you're not falling into their trap you know what you ought to do learn the the gift of rejoicing what would it be like if your whole that whole group over there they're ignoring you they pushed you aside they don't want nothing to do with you and you knew they were doing that and you just went Glory some of y'all were asleep y'all about to go down so I had to get you up huh what would it be like they ignoring me that guy's lost his mind mhm yet you're the one wondering why rejoicing cuz I know the word and the reward the reward is great in heaven for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets but woe unto you listen that are rich you've received your consolation woe unto you that are full for ye shall hunger woe unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep 26 woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you for so did their fathers to the false prophets but I say unto you which here what's it say man love your enemies do good to them which hate you bless them that curse you hold on does anybody have a King James Bible open I want to make sure our media Department's not messing us up are these words in Red so this would be who love your enemy do good to them which hate you bless them that curse you pray for them which despiteful of you you know some of us AC we we acquaint that to lay qu you know to suddenly laying our hands on someone you can't do that oh and unto him that smiteth thee on the One Cheek what do you do offer also the other and him that taketh away thy cloak what do you do forget not to take what take thy coat also so give to every man that Ask asketh Of Thee and of him that taketh away thy Goods ask them not again and as ye would that men should do to you what's this one called Golden Rule do unto others before they yeah that's not right um do unto others as you would have them not before they verse 32 for if you love them which love you notice the teaching of Jesus here I'm okay on my time we're okay notice the teaching of Jesus if you love those that love you what's he say this is some really really good English what what than have ye yeah you parents use that one on your kids next week hello what think have ye what does that mean what do you you the appreciation Factor if if you're loving those that love you then what how can you appreciate that Sinners also love them that love them right come on people are people 33 if you do good to them which do good to you what's it say what thank have you what appreciation is really there why for Sinners also do even the same if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive what's it say what thank heav how do you appreciate that for Sinners ly to sinners and receive much again verse 35 notice the words of Jesus again it says but love ye your enemies and do good and lend hoping for nothing again your reward shall be great you shall be the children of the highest for he's kind unto the unthankful and to the evil be therefore merciful as your father also is merciful verse 37 one that we quote misquote so many times judge not you shall not be judged condemn not you shall not be condemn cond demned forgive you shall be forgiven now here's the verse we like give somebody read that for me verse 38 say it out loud keep going read it this has nothing to do with money nothing doesn't say $100 $200 what is it it's forgiveness and mercy you give it'll be given to you that's why the reference here is out of men's their hearts who they are they will give that's what it says so Luke writes the words of Jesus and the indication here is that there is power in forgiveness so at 7:42 on Wednesday night because I realize we've got we've got time you know some some got a lot to do I get it but let me let me say something to you here in a world that does not understand how to demonstrate the power of forgiveness what would it be like if the church truly understood that it does not say here do not misquote pastor pastor says everybody has the right to run over you let me let me tell you what happen oh I'm gonna get messed up here Old Testament we okay Old Testament the people of God in the Old Testament the children of Israel the children of God what did the other the amalekites the Hittites what what did those other tribes those other groups think think of the Israelites what why they What Fear they feared them they hated them why keep going they had the favor of God they were blessed simply because of who they were we agree so h question have you ever known that somebody on your job or in your family or whatever doesn't like you and you just simply be Godlike Christian right just try to do not holier than down not above it you just simply demonstrate the fruit of Christ and for whatever reason they have every every every desire to hurt you harm you slash at you but they cannot do it anybody you want to know why because they know I don't know what's it's it's almost like me trying to be mean to my mom or my grandma not because they were my grandma and my mom but Lord they could pray Sam tell me about your grandma what would she pray Lord kill them that's the way my granny would she didn't mess around she was this tall she couldn't hurt a fly but buddy she could show enough pray the fear of all Mighty God in somebody why cuz she knew the power of loving folk and showing them mercy and showing them forgiveness she didn't let them run over them God would St I fear that in our culture today as Americans as 2024 rights almost 2025 that we have developed an attitude of we will take care of oursel because no one else will it's true we'll protect our own because that's the will of God for us to protect our own never call on the name of the Lord God never plead the blood of Jesus over our home and over our children over our wife instead we stand in fear to say you know what I got this and I I hope you understand understand the power of protecting your home I will do the same thing but I will not live in a position listen to me where I cannot give forgiveness and mercy to folk because when I do that guess what I just did I stepped out of the mercy and grace of God and I stepped into their Arena and I don't know how to fight in that Arena why because of the abundance of forgiveness that I have received question I'm almost done question if I if you if us if we have received so much forgiveness $226 Million worth of forgiveness 10,000 talents listen to me and you step into the arena of the world and you expect to fight your battle in there what weapon are you going to use huh what do you have the most of what so what are you going to do with that forgiveness now you're in the battlefield where they've got all the other weapons and they're going to destroy you and all you're standing here with is just big old pot of forgiveness what are you going to do huh then what I'm convinced now the story has purpose because if I just received 226 Million worth of forgiveness I got a whole lot to go around The Hour of Prayer going to the temple where you going guys we're going to pray it's The Hour of Prayer what are you going to do when you get there we're going to pray sorry buddy excuse me I'm I'm sorry silver and gold I don't have but what I have I'm gonna give do you real come on brother draw give him some false hope for a minute do you realize that the followers of Jesus at that moment could have stopped we don't have silver and gold but such as we have we give to you that that young man would have still been laying there today hear it would have still been sitting there today why because until you bring Jesus into it they could have given to that man forgiveness and what would it have done for him they didn't even know them the story tells us but he identified it at that moment but but such as I have we give it to you open hand in the name Jesus Christ rise up and walk

so Christmas time this this image that they the media Department brought that that's that's a great great symbol it it's the feeding trough of animals not a whole lot goes on there except crunchy Munch and stuff like that not a whole lot but our King by Design chose to be carried for the duration of pregnancy by someone who did not understand the value of relationship because she was not married the intimacy was not there yet with her Earthly espoused husband Mary 100% walked on what you said I believe it I believe it be be to me as you have declared and I'll believe it and when she walks in and Elizabeth is there and the baby leaps listen to me there was nothing in that connection except one thing confirmation of Faith wo oh I just felt this what does that mean that means that it's confirmed in you by what's happened in me and because of that this Christ child is born and all the Shepherds and all the Angels the wise gods and the Kings and the rulers of the day simply say What Child Is This who would come lives his life at the end of it all goes through everything he went through just like he said he would and his final words it's finished what's finished forgiveness it's finished there's now nothing that a human can do that I can't forgive stand with me would you our clock is running yes sir sure okay uhhuh okay I said sure okay sure there you go sure okay okay my forgiveness the ability to not let listen to the folk around you drive you to the negative drive you to justifying actions are you thankful for the blood of Jesus before we sing I I want you just to come on for for just a little while would you just kind of walk in his presence Lord I love you oh come on somebody you've got you've received so much forgiveness you've received so much forgiveness come on you've received so much forgiveness you ought to thank him right now with tears in your eyes and with Heart full of joy thank you you have forgiven me of debt you have washed me and cleansed me you have you have made me complete and whole oh come on somebody if you are in a position where you need forgiveness come on ask him for it Lord would you cleanse my heart and my mind once again wash my spirit Lord come on somebody come on before we go into song we're going to just spend a moment with him it's the season to be thankful for the gift of Jesus come on I thank you Lord I believe you Jesus Oh I thank you for the power of forgiveness Lord I ask you to move in our hearts and our lives come on somebody thank him for it oh there is power in forgiveness there is power in forgiveness before we get to the song I need you right now to connect vertically with him don't look out look up Lord before I can do anything here on Earth I've got to connect with you lift your voice to him Lord I love you I need you have mercy on me I I am nothing without you all of my righteousnesses there is filthy rags I I got to have you Lord come on somebody I I need you I love you I thank you for the power of forgiveness Jesus for the power of forgiveness I thank you I love you for it Lord I'm so glad to know your name Jesus the greatest gift ever the greatest gift ever was you Jesus you change us Lord you make us new you make us new come on let's Worship the Lord