Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Looking at Matt 6:12
  • Forgive us our debt (trespasses/sins) – the same word used in Rom 4:4
  • The best translation is "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors"
• Example of friend
  • We must not forget our glorious redemption
  • We must confess our sins
• We are cleansed through Jesus yet we continue to sin in our daily living and hence need to continue to ask for the forgiveness of our sins
  • What is your attitude when you sin/others sin?
• The Lord’s prayer is vertical (between Christian and God)
  • But there is one part that is horizontal (between Christians) – forgiveness
  • Jesus picks up on this point in v14-15
• Forgiveness is a central part of the prayer
  • What is our attitude re forgiveness?
  • If we forgive – proof we are forgiven by God
  • If we do not forgive – proof that we are not forgiven by God
• Pardon

Forgive us our Debts

• We can ask for corporate forgiveness
  • We ask for personal forgiveness
• A link with v11
  • We need daily bread (physical needs)
  • We must also ask for the daily needs of our soul (spiritual needs)
• Debts
  • Something we owe to God
  • Yet something we cannot afford/pay – regardless of our actions
    • Only God can forgive us
• God has no obligation to forgive
  • He chooses to freely forgive sinners who repent
  • Jesus came into the world to pay the debt we could never pay
  • Example of sin – lies, lust, covetous thoughts, envy, jealousy, profanity, theft, loving God/neighbour as you ought
  • We are all sinners and fallen short of the glory of God
    • Jesus came and died in our place
    • God accepted His sacrifice in payment for our sins
    • Jesus paid in full our debt – that we might be forgiven
    • Through Jesus – all who confess their sins are forgiven
• Have you acknowledged your sin and asked God for forgiveness?
  • If you pray this sincerely – God will forgive you
• Debts are obligations – first towards God, second towards man
  • Do you love God when you worship, serve, in your family, amongst your neighbours, giving your time/energy?
  • God’s law demands He comes first
    • Worship the Lord your God
    • No idols
    • No profanity
    • A sabbath rest
  • We have to admit that we have failed and ask forgiveness
  • God will give us a new heart
• We have debts toward others
  • To love oneanother
  • The horizontal relationships really matter
• We have forgiveness of sins, but still need to ask for cleansing for our daily sins
  • "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
  • God is willing and ready to forgive us our sins
  • Example of the parable of the prodigal son

Forgive our Debtors

• We have read from Matthew 18:21-35
  • Peter asks how often to forgive
  • Seventy times seven – i.e. infinitely
  • Where there is repentance – forgive and love unconditionally
• Jesus gives the parable
  • Summary
  • A powerful parable
• We must not withhold forgiveness of others if God has forgiven us
  • If you do, it confirms you have a hard, unforgiving, unsaved heart
    • Quote from Martin-Lloyd Jones
  • We have an old nature that wars against the new nature
    • We are exhorted to forgive and be tender hearted
    • We can find it hard to forgive when wounds run deep
    • We must ask for grace to help
  • We must not say we will never forgive / that we wish they were dead
    • This confirms such a person is not a child of God
• Jesus is clear – God will only forgive us, if forgive others
  • We have an obligation to others – to forgive
  • Others have an obligation to us – to love
  • Many will fail, hurt and offend us
  • Many will not love us
  • Yet we must love
• When to express forgiveness
  • Example
    • We must express forgiveness where there is repentance
    • When people do not express forgiveness, it is unwise to say you ‘are forgiven’
  • God does not forgive unless people repent
  • Example of Jesus on the cross and Stephen and his martyring
  • We must have a heart of forgiveness
    • There is consequence of sins
    • Justice must be served
• What does forgiveness entail?
  • An end of a matter
  • God puts sin behind Him – He remains omniscient
    • He chooses not to bring the subject up again
  • We are not to dig up the past
    • Example
    • This does not mean it cannot be spoken of
    • It depends upon our spirit – are we vindictive?
• Why do we find it difficult to ask for forgiveness? / why do we find it difficult to say sorry?
  • Our pride
    • We want to blame someone else
    • We want to blame something else
  • We should not make excuses
• We must recognise our sins and ask God for forgiveness
  • Have short accounts with others
  • Forgive others
  • Our horizontal relationship affects our vertical relationship
  • We may have broken fellowship with God if we have broken fellowship with others
  • Do what you can on your part