Father Forgive Us And Help Us Forgive

Matthew 6:12 gives one of the hardest prayers Jesus ever taught his disciples to pray: “Forgive us of our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Jesus does not leave forgiveness as a side issue. Jesus comes right back to it in verses 14 and 15 and makes it plain: if forgiveness is given, forgiveness is received, and if forgiveness is withheld, forgiveness is withheld. The kingdom principle is simple and tough: a person reaps what a person sows.

Sin matters deeply to God because sin is not small. Sin brought death into the world. Sin separates people from God, divides families, destroys marriages, hardens hearts, and leaves a wake of devastation everywhere it goes. God hates sin because God loves the people sin destroys. Jesus teaches the heart to pray, “Father, forgive me of my sin,” before looking down the road at everybody else’s sin. The prayer starts with personal repentance, not religious finger pointing.

The cross shows that sin could never be brushed off as cute, funny, or harmless. The thorns, the whip marks, the nails, and the blood all say that sin had a terrible price. The heart that plays nice with sin forgets what nailed Jesus to the cross. Conviction, not condemnation, draws the sinner toward God. Condemnation says there is no hope, but the Holy Spirit opens the eyes, stirs repentance, and brings the heart toward a Father who is ready to forgive.

Forgiveness also makes an agreement with God. The one who asks to be forgiven is agreeing to give what has been received. God calls his people to be debt erasers, not debt collectors. Vengeance says, “They owe me.” Forgiveness says, “God, You are the righteous judge, and this debt belongs in Your hands.” Forgiveness is not a reaction to somebody deserving it. Forgiveness is an action rooted in what God has already done through Christ.

Love proves life has come. First John says the sign of passing from death to life is love for the brothers. Love covers wrongs, releases debts, and stops keeping a ledger. Abel’s blood cried out for revenge, but Jesus’ blood speaks a better word: “Father, forgive them.” The question becomes which voice will shape a life, the cry of Abel or the cry of Jesus.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Sin is not a small thing Sin does not merely break a rule, it tears through what God loves. Sin divides homes, hardens hearts, ruins trust, and brings death into places God made for life. The cross strips away every casual excuse and shows the real cost of what the heart is tempted to pet, hide, or laugh at. [08:25]
• 2. Conviction draws sinners toward God Condemnation tells the wounded heart to give up and go away, but conviction opens the eyes and brings the heart near. The Holy Spirit does not expose sin to destroy the sinner, but to remove what stands between the sinner and the Father. True repentance begins when sin is called enemy, not friend. [19:36]
• 3. Forgiveness is action, not reaction Forgiveness does not wait until the offender becomes worthy, because God did not wait for worthiness before sending mercy. Forgiveness moves because Christ moved first. The forgiven person carries a gift that God expects to be given, even when the debt feels real and the pain still has weight. [23:57]
• 4. God calls debt erasers forward A debt collector keeps the ledger open and lives under the power of what somebody else did. A debt eraser surrenders the right to collect and trusts God as righteous judge. Forgiveness does not deny the wound, but it refuses to let the wound become a prison. [26:58]
• 5. Jesus’ blood speaks forgiveness Abel’s blood cries for revenge, but Jesus’ blood speaks a better word. The heart must decide which voice will shape its home, its words, and its future. The way of Christ is not payback, but “Father, forgive them.”
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [05:59] - The Hard Prayer of Forgiveness
• [06:51] - Forgive and Be Forgiven
• [08:25] - God Hates What Sin Destroys
• [11:16] - Loving Righteousness, Hating Sin
• [13:14] - The Cross Shows Sin’s Cost
• [19:04] - Get Sin Out of the Heart
• [20:17] - Grace for the Worst Person
• [22:41] - Debt Erasers, Not Debt Collectors
• [23:57] - Forgiveness Is an Action
• [26:58] - Surrendering the Right to Collect
• [29:07] - Unforgiveness Makes Prisoners
• [30:29] - God Loves a Cheerful Forgiver
• [35:21] - Love Proves Life Has Come
• [38:32] - Abel’s Cry and Jesus’ Blood

1. According to Matthew 6:14-15, what does Jesus directly link to receiving forgiveness from God?
2. The sermon emphasizes that “sin is not small” and lists specific consequences of sin (e.g., dividing families, hardening hearts). What examples of sin’s destructive effects were highlighted? [08:51]
3. What contrast does the sermon draw between “debt erasers” and “debt collectors”? [22:58]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between conviction and condemnation? [19:36]

1. Why does Jesus connect receiving forgiveness to giving forgiveness in Matthew 6:14-15? How does this reflect God’s character?
2. The sermon states, “The cross shows that sin could never be brushed off as cute, funny, or harmless.” How does Jesus’ sacrifice redefine how we view sin’s seriousness? [13:14]
3. What does it mean practically to “surrender the right to collect” a debt from someone who has wronged you? [26:58]
4. The sermon contrasts Abel’s blood crying for revenge with Jesus’ blood speaking forgiveness. Why is this contrast significant for how we respond to hurt? [38:32]

1. Is there a specific relationship or situation where you’ve struggled to release someone’s “debt”? What step could you take this week to surrender that hurt to God?
2. The sermon warns against “playing nice with sin.” What sin have you been tempted to downplay or excuse in your own life? How can you actively reject it as an enemy? [17:02]
3. Think of a time when you felt condemnation versus conviction. How did each affect your relationship with God? What helps you lean into conviction rather than shame? [19:36]
4. The pastor confessed, “I’m a debt collector” but learned to release grudges. Are you naturally a debt collector or debt eraser? What practical habit could help you grow in forgiveness? [25:56]
5. When hurt by others, do you default to Abel’s cry (“they owe me”) or Jesus’ cry (“Father, forgive them”)? What would it look like to choose Jesus’ voice in a current conflict? [38:32]