FORGIVENESS & UNFORGIVENESS

MATTHEW 18:21-35

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. GOD DOES NOT OWE US FORGIVENESS

People seem to have the idea that the world owes them a living and God owes them forgiveness. Such is not the case.

1. We Are Guilty of Sin [Rm. 3:10-23]

2. We Do Not Deserve Forgiveness [Rm. 6:23]

3. We Will Do It Again [Proverbs 23:29-35, Hebrews 12:1]

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

II. GOD DOES OFFER FORGIVENESS

1. By His Grace [Ephesians 1:7]

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

2. By His Mercy [Numbers 14:19]

Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.
Deuteronomy 21:8 Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

3. By His Love [Titus 3:3-7]

III. GOD’S FORGIVENESS IS CONDITIONAL

1. The Condition for Everyone is to Concede the Need [Hebrews 11:6]

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2. The Condition for the Lost Man is to Confess Christ [Rm. 10:9-13]
-this is a matter of relationship

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

3. The Condition for the Saved Man is to Confess His Sin [I Jn. 1:9]
-this is a matter of fellowship

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.