Lord, How Many times?

Matthew 18:21-22

Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

[22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

1. Forgive Your Offenders

When we do not forgive, we are hindered from being the people God intends for us to be.

2. Consider the Cost of Not Forgiving

Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

3. The Key to Forgiveness

Some insights:

• Fellow-servants

• Servant to be a good steward

• Incapacitated one of the king’s servants

Focus on our huge debt of sin that God has forgiven and extend that forgiveness to others!

4. Recognize your TormentorsGod allows tormentors in our lives to get our

attention and to motivate us to forgive others so that our fellowship with Him may be restored.

1. Sickness and disease

2. Financial distress

3. Spiritual oppression

4. Family conflicts

5. Fully Forgive Offenders

“Forgiveness is not an emotion…

Forgiveness is as act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”

Corrie Ten Boom

6. Offences are Beneficial

If we fail to see the benefits that God intended for allowing an offense to happen, we will find it difficult to rejoice.

1. To draw us close to God

2. To purify our faith

3. To give us mor grace and power

4. To give us compassion for others

5. To give us answers to share

7. Offenders come in all types

We must respond differently to those who oppose us and offend us.

1. Those who curse and revile: we bless

2. Those who hate and persecute us: we endure it and return good for evil

3. Those who defame and despitefully use us: we entreat and pray for