He Was Forgiven Everything… But Forgave Nothing | Matthew 18

With that being said, I need you all to close your eyes.

And I want you to think about somebody.

Don't open your eyes and look around the room when I ask the question because you'll give it away.

But just quietly in your mind, think about someone who's hurt you.

You said bring it.

Someone who did something to you that you didn't deserve.

Somebody whose name still tightens something inside your stomach, in your chest, when you hear their name.

Somebody who, if we're completely honest with ourselves, you have it fully forgiven.

You got them? Okay, you can open your eyes.

Hold on to that face.

Because this whole sermon is for that relationship.

Now let me ask you something that might be a little bit even more uncomfortable.

What would it cost you to let it go? What would it cost you to let go of the bitterness and the unforgiveness you have for somebody? Maybe that person that you're thinking of.

I'm not talking about what it would cost when it happened.

Because I know whenever it happened, it was real.

It hurt.

It was painful.

I get it.

We all understand.

We're all in the same pitcher, the same boat.

Some of you have been carrying this wound for years, maybe even decades.

I'm not trying to stay in here today and minimize that.

But what is it costing you right now today to hold on to your unforgiveness? Because here's what I've learned.

Unforgiveness doesn't punish the person who hurt you.

You're the one losing sleep over it.

With that being said, I need you all to close your eyes.

And I want you to think about somebody.

Don't open your eyes and look around the room when I ask the question because you'll give it away.

But just quietly in your mind, think about someone who's hurt you.

You said bring it.

Someone who did something to you that you didn't deserve.

Somebody whose name still tightens something inside your stomach, in your chest, when you hear their name.

Somebody who, if we're completely honest with ourselves, you have it fully forgiven.

You got them? Okay, you can open your eyes.

Hold on to that face.

Because this whole sermon is for that relationship.

Now let me ask you something that might be a little bit even more uncomfortable.

What would it cost you to let it go? What would it cost you to let go of the bitterness and the unforgiveness you have for somebody? Maybe that person that you're thinking of.

I'm not talking about what it would cost when it happened.

Because I know whenever it happened, it was real.

It hurt.

It was painful.

I get it.

We all understand.

We're all in the same pitcher, the same boat.

Some of you have been carrying this wound for years, maybe even decades.

I'm not trying to stay in here today and minimize that.

But what is it costing you right now today to hold on to your unforgiveness? Because here's what I've learned.

Unforgiveness doesn't punish the person who hurt you.

You're the one losing sleep over it.