The lost art of forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35

Instruction About Forgiveness

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 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.”

Sermon

New starts, and new things to learn, but have we lost the art of things from the past?

The art of writing letters! How many people still write letters with a pen?

Have we lost the art of baking bread? Certainly with the great British bake-off baking is getting very popular again. Another lost art is the sweetness of doing nothing. We are so busy with our everyday lives that we barely have time to do nothing. Have we lost the art of enjoying the moment? Are we so busy capturing the moment that we forget to experience the moment. The Queen often gets frustrated when she doesn't see faces but she sees mobile phones.

Have we lost the art of forgiveness and its Power?

Jesus was so clear about the power of forgiveness, Forgiveness is the key to Christianity, It's what makes was distinct. We are asked to forgive all.

“To err is human to forgive is divine” - Alexander Pope (1688-1744) The English poet. The popular saying created by line 525 of Pope’s poem An Essay on Criticism, Part II (1711)

When we forgive we have being divine. Have we lost this art? Ian Paisley died recently this week, he was a mixed character and people think he mellowed as he got older. People either hate him all loved him.

A book of remembrance was signed by Martin McGuinness; He wrote: "In rising above old enmities we pointed the way to a better and peaceful future. The peace process and I have lost a friend.”

How incredible that these two old rivals could forgive and move forward. How much more do we need forgiveness in our lives today?

Heavenly Father, in our worship help us to sing your praises,

confess our sins, hear your word and bring our prayers to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Please quieten our minds, and help us to think about what we are doing. Please forgive us for our mistakes and help us not to make them again.

Please accept our thanks and help us never to take your love for granted.

Amen.