Sunday 08:01:10

Psalm 78:38 38 Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. Exodus 34:6-7 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." In describing Himself, God says He is • slow to anger • abounding in love (hesed) and faithfulness • maintaining love (hesed) • forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin God, in His nature, exhibits a forgiving love. It is part of Who He is. When we look at the righteousness of God, we see that we need a forgiving God, because we’re nowhere close. I’ve been walking with God for 24 years, I can see growth in my life, but I see better now than ever that I’m a hopeless case. Were it not for the forgiveness of God, I would never be able to find Him, walk with Him, and ultimately to be with Him. I need His forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be kind and compassionate to one another – because your heavenly Father is kind and compassionate. Forgive each other; just as in Christ God forgave you. Matthew 18:21-35 Vv 21-22 Peter thought 7 was a lot to forgive someone. Jesus taught that there is no limit to how many times we are to forgive someone. Vv 23-25 Ten thousand talents – probably several million dollars. A talent was probably a measure of god between 58 and 80 pounds. He owed a debt he could never repay, even giving all that he had, it was not enough. Vv 26-27 When he begged for mercy, the master took pity on him. He canceled the debt. He let him go. Vv 28-30 A denarius was a silver coin worth about 16 cents – a few dollars. He had been forgiven an enormous amount, but wouldn’t forgive a tiny amount. Vv 31-35 The servants knew it was wrong. The master called him in and turned him over to be jailed and tortured. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”