Let's Talk About It | Pt. 5 Forgiveness

Devotional

Day 1: Offense Is Inevitable—Forgiveness Is Essential

Jesus teaches that offenses are unavoidable in life, and everyone will experience being wronged or hurt by others. The real question is not whether you will be offended, but how you will respond when offense comes your way. Holding onto offense leads to bitterness and broken relationships, but choosing to forgive brings freedom and healing. Whether it’s within your family, at work, or even with strangers, you are called to release those who have hurt you, refusing to let offense take root in your heart. [08:30]

Luke 17:1 (ESV)
And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!”

Reflection: Who is one person—perhaps in your family or workplace—who has recently offended you? What would it look like to release that offense to God and choose forgiveness today, even if you don’t feel like it?

Day 2: Freely Receive, Freely Give

God’s forgiveness is a gift, given not because we deserve it, but because of His abundant grace. When you remember how much you have been forgiven, it becomes possible to extend that same grace to others, even when it feels difficult or undeserved. The forgiven are called to forgive, making allowance for each other’s faults and letting go of bitterness, anger, and resentment. As you clothe yourself with mercy, kindness, and humility, you reflect the heart of Christ and break the cycle of offense. [26:52]

Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Reflection: Think of a time when you received unexpected grace or forgiveness. How can you intentionally extend that same grace to someone in your life this week?

Day 3: Forgive as You Want to Be Forgiven

Jesus makes it clear that the measure you use to forgive others is the measure God will use with you. Forgiveness is not optional; it is a spiritual law that what you sow, you will reap. If you want to experience God’s forgiveness and mercy, you must be willing to offer it to others, even when it’s hard. Treat others as you would want to be treated, letting go of grudges and choosing to bless those who have wronged you, just as you would hope to be blessed if the roles were reversed. [29:47]

Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Reflection: Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? Imagine yourself in their position—how would you want to be treated? What step can you take today to move toward that kind of forgiveness?

Day 4: Receive God’s Forgiveness—No Sin Is Too Great

No matter what you have done, God’s promise is that if you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself, but God’s grace is greater than your worst mistakes. Accepting His forgiveness allows you to walk in freedom and empowers you to forgive others. Don’t let shame or guilt keep you from receiving the mercy that Jesus offers—He came to save sinners, and His grace is more than enough. [21:18]

1 John 1:9 (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Reflection: Is there a past mistake or sin that you have struggled to believe God could forgive? Take a moment to confess it honestly to God and receive His promise of forgiveness.

Day 5: The First to Forgive Is the Happiest

Forgiveness is not just for the benefit of the other person—it brings freedom, peace, and happiness to your own heart. Jesus modeled this by initiating forgiveness while we were still sinners, and He calls you to be a peacemaker, taking the first step toward reconciliation. Don’t wait for others to apologize or make things right; choose to forgive first, and you will experience the blessing and joy that comes from being a child of God. Let your actions reflect the mercy you have received, and watch as God brings healing and unity where there was once division. [39:55]

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life where you are waiting for the other person to make the first move? What would it look like for you to be the peacemaker and initiate forgiveness today?

Sermon Summary

Forgiveness is not an optional part of the Christian life; it is central to our relationship with God and with one another. Offenses are inevitable—Jesus himself said it’s impossible to go through life without being wronged or hurt by others. Whether it’s within our families, at work, or even in the church, we all experience moments where we are wounded or disappointed. The real question is not if we will be offended, but how we will respond when it happens. Holding onto unforgiveness is like building a prison around our own hearts, often without realizing it. The person who hurt us may not even know, but we are the ones who remain trapped by bitterness and pain.

Forgiveness is rooted in grace. The Greek word for forgiveness, “charizomai,” shares its root with “charis,” meaning grace. Just as we have freely received grace from God, we are called to extend that same grace to others, even when it feels undeserved. This is not about excusing wrongs or pretending they didn’t happen, but about releasing the debt and choosing to bless rather than curse. Paul reminds us that we must get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, and instead clothe ourselves with kindness, humility, and patience. We are to forgive as Christ forgave us—freely, fully, and without condition.

Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourselves. Yet Scripture assures us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We must learn to receive this forgiveness, not because we have earned it, but because of God’s abundant mercy. When we truly grasp how much we have been forgiven, it becomes possible to extend forgiveness to others, even in the most difficult situations.

Forgiveness is also proactive. Jesus went first—he died for us while we were still sinners. We are called to be peacemakers, to initiate reconciliation, and to sow peace even when it’s hard. The first to forgive is the happiest, because forgiveness unlocks freedom and releases us from the bondage of offense. It’s not about waiting for the other person to apologize or make things right; it’s about choosing to let go, to bless, and to walk in the same grace that has been lavished on us. As we do, we find that barriers fall, relationships are restored, and God’s peace fills our hearts.

Key Takeaways

1. Forgiveness is not optional for followers of Jesus. Offenses are guaranteed in life, but we are commanded to release bitterness and extend forgiveness, regardless of the depth of the hurt. This is essential for our spiritual health and for the unity of our homes and church. [16:20]
2. The root of forgiveness is grace—giving to others what we ourselves have received from God. True forgiveness is not about excusing or minimizing the wrong, but about freely offering grace, even when it feels undeserved. This act of grace breaks the cycle of offense and sets us free from the prison of resentment. [18:35]
3. Receiving God’s forgiveness is foundational to being able to forgive others. Many struggle to forgive because they have not fully accepted God’s mercy for themselves. When we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us, and this assurance empowers us to extend the same mercy to those who have wronged us. [21:18]
4. The measure we use to forgive others is the measure that will be used for us. Jesus taught that if we do not forgive, we cannot expect to receive forgiveness from God. Forgiveness is a spiritual law of sowing and reaping—what we give, we will receive, pressed down and running over. [29:47]
5. Forgiveness is an act of the will, not a feeling. We are called to go first, to be peacemakers, and to initiate reconciliation even when it’s uncomfortable. The happiest and most free people are those who choose to forgive quickly and generously, reflecting the heart of Christ who forgave us while we were still sinners. [39:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Greeting and Announcements
[01:03] - The Power of Corporate Prayer
[03:35] - Shifting to First Wednesdays
[05:00] - Vertical Worship and Communion
[06:32] - Church Growth and Expansion
[07:55] - Introducing Forgiveness
[08:30] - Offenses in Family and Parenting
[11:41] - The Reality of Offense
[13:08] - Handling Offense and Unforgiveness
[16:20] - Forgiveness is Not Optional
[18:35] - The Grace Root of Forgiveness
[21:18] - Receiving and Extending Forgiveness
[25:59] - Freely Give What You Have Received
[29:47] - The Law of Sowing and Reaping in Forgiveness
[39:39] - Go First: The Peacemaker’s Blessing
[43:00] - Responding in Prayer and Release
[46:17] - Living Out Forgiveness Daily
[46:51] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. Luke 17:1 (ESV) — > And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!”

2. Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV) — > Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

3. 1 John 1:9 (ESV) — > If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Luke 17:1, what does he say about the reality of offenses in our lives? How does this set our expectations for relationships? [07:55]
In Ephesians 4:31-32, what are the specific attitudes and actions Paul tells believers to get rid of, and what does he say should replace them? [16:20]
What does 1 John 1:9 promise to those who confess their sins? How does this relate to the idea of forgiving ourselves? [20:46]
The sermon mentions that holding onto unforgiveness is like building a prison around our own hearts. What are some of the consequences mentioned for not forgiving others? [19:38]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus says it’s “impossible that no offenses should come”? What does this reveal about human nature and the need for forgiveness? [07:55]
Paul commands us to forgive “just as Christ forgave you.” What does it mean to forgive in the same way Christ forgave us? How is this different from simply excusing someone’s behavior? [16:20]
The sermon says that the root of forgiveness is grace (“charizomai”). How does understanding God’s grace help us to forgive others, even when it feels undeserved? [18:35]
Why might it be difficult for some people to receive God’s forgiveness for themselves? How does this impact their ability to forgive others? [21:18]

Application Questions

The sermon says, “Forgiveness is not optional.” Is there someone in your life—family, work, or church—whom you are struggling to forgive? What is holding you back from releasing that offense? [16:20]
Think about a time when you held onto bitterness or anger. How did it affect your relationships, your health, or your spiritual life? What would it look like to “get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger” in that situation? [19:38]
The pastor shared that sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourselves. Is there something in your past that you have trouble letting go of? How can you take a step toward receiving God’s forgiveness for yourself this week? [20:46]
The sermon teaches that forgiveness is proactive—“the first to forgive is the happiest.” Is there a relationship where you need to go first and initiate reconciliation, even if the other person hasn’t apologized? What’s one practical step you can take? [39:39]
The message says, “The measure we use to forgive others is the measure that will be used for us.” How does this truth challenge the way you approach forgiveness? Are there areas where you need to be more generous in extending grace? [29:47]
The pastor described forgiveness as an act of the will, not a feeling. What is one situation where you need to choose to forgive, even if your feelings haven’t caught up yet? How can you pray for God’s help in this? [40:35]
The sermon encourages us to “bless rather than curse” those who have hurt us. Can you think of a way to actively bless someone you have struggled to forgive? What would that look like this week? [36:14]

Sermon Clips

I think the question really is, what do you do when the offense comes? And there's, there's some danger when the offense comes and we don't, we don't handle it right. Like there, in other words, offense is going to come. What do you do when it does come your way? I really think that's the question. I think we're asking the question, how do we handle the offenses? How do we forgive even maybe the seemingly unforgivable? [00:13:03] (22 seconds) #RespondWithGrace

I think sometimes even we get to this, we get to this place where we just say, no, I don't really care. And, and that's a telltale sign that you actually do. Like you actually really do care, actually, when you start saying, no, I don't care. You do. you just told everybody right there like that you cared you cared but we can't stay in it though we can't we just we can't stay in that we can't stay in that we can't we can't stay in that [00:15:50] (26 seconds) #CaringRevealed

Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults and forgive who? Anybody else make the same face I make when I read that? That one word, anyone. Forgive, say it with me. Forgive anyone. Just, just stop. I mean, you could pause it, but put a period, but that's not where Paul stops. Forgive anyone who offends you. Anyone who's done you wrong. It doesn't even say what degree the offense has to be. [00:26:50] (44 seconds) #ForgiveAnyone

Forgive how you would want to be forgiven. So put yourself in their shoes. How would you want to be forgiven in that moment? Not how you think you should be forgiven. Forgive how you want to be, see? Because sometimes we'll go, well, if it were, I mean, if it were me, I would just know what I deserve. So they should just know they deserve my middle finger. You know what I'm saying? So I don't know, I don't do it. I have not flown that bird in a very long time, okay? [00:28:07] (37 seconds) #ForgiveAsYouWish

The Lord started speaking to me and he started saying, Hey, I've shown you a lot of mercy, right? I'm thinking, yeah, but I'm still twitching. So I want you to show the same level of mercy to them that I've shown you. And in my mind, I started thinking, yeah, but I mean, when all of a sudden, as I started, y'all, it was like, it was like the Lord allowed me just a glimpse to remind me of all the things that he had forgiven me. And how disqualified I ought. To be from anything good. [00:34:24] (37 seconds) #ShowMercyAsReceived

Choices lead feelings. Follow choose to forgive, don't wait until you feel like it. In fact, most of the time, the feeling for forgiveness will never come and I'm gonna give you one word that's going to help you with this. It's the root word. Just receive God's grace. Receive his grace, receive it and give it. [00:40:45] (36 seconds) #ChooseForgiveness

Jesus himself, he is our peace who has made two groups one. just want you to see this, these different people groups. He's, Jesus came and he made them one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. Keep going. His purpose, Jesus's purpose coming to this earth, dying on that cross was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two. No more division. Hey, no more hostility, no more offenses, no more enemies, thus making peace. [00:42:07] (38 seconds) #JesusUnitesAll

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