Scripture References: Matthew 6:9-15; 1 Peter 2:23; Matthew 5:3-4; Psalm 23:1, 4
Intro: Welcome. Today's sermon, by guest Tom Shaw, explores Forgiveness via the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6). While central to faith, forgiveness can feel irrelevant if we don't recognize our offenses—unresolved hurts, bitterness, judgments we carry, often subtly, against others. Offense is a trap that robs joy. Jesus' prayer shows us how to find freedom.
Key Points:
- Recognize Offense: We often carry offense without realizing it—towards family, colleagues, or even strangers due to unmet expectations, differing styles, tiredness, or perceived slights. This subtle bitterness needs the solution of forgiveness.
- Key 1: View Past Realistically - Our Need (v. 12a): "Forgive us our debts..." Overcoming offense starts with humility, recognizing our own deep, ongoing need for God's forgiveness. We must counter the tendency to see ourselves as right/good and the offender as wrong/bad. Embrace being "poor in spirit" and mourning our own sin (Matt 5:3-4).
- Key 2: View Past Realistically - Their Humanity (v. 12b): "...as we also have forgiven our debtors." Jesus assumes we forgive. This requires seeing offenders not just as villains but as complex people, likely victims themselves, even while holding them responsible. Ask God for His merciful perspective to humanize them, breaking down hate.
- Key 3: View Future Realistically - God's Justice (vv. 14-15): Jesus links forgiving others to being forgiven, pointing to a future day of reckoning. Trusting God's perfect future justice frees us from needing personal vengeance now (1 Pet 2:23). Every sin will be dealt with—either paid for by Christ for the repentant, or judged by God for the unrepentant. This truth brings rest.
- Key 4: View Present Realistically - God's Sufficiency (vv. 9-11, 13): "Your kingdom come... Give us today our daily bread... Deliver us..." Daily dependence on God is crucial. Ask His kingdom (peace, joy, forgiveness) to invade your heart now. Recognize He is our true "daily bread"—His presence is sufficient even amid hurt or unmet longings ("The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" - Ps 23:1). He is with us (Ps 23:4).
Conclusion: Jesus provides keys to overcome offense and live in forgiveness: viewing the past honestly (our sin, their humanity), trusting God's future justice, and relying on His present sufficiency and kingdom reign in our hearts. This isn't easy, but it's the path to freedom and joy.
Call to Action: Identify any offenses you're holding. Humbly ask God for forgiveness for your own sins. Ask for His merciful perspective towards those who've hurt you. Consciously entrust judgment to Him. Pray, "Your kingdom come" in your heart today, declaring He is your sufficient "daily bread." Practice forgiveness.
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