Collateral Damage
Forgiveness Series #1
May 20, 2007
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
* When it comes to today's subject- the real "F" word forgiveness… many people struggle.
- Many have leashed up ANGER, RESENTMENT, & UNFORGIVENESS.
- We don't really realize it but we are dragging this bench around & it is causing serious COLLATERAL DAMAGE- in our Relationships, our self, most importantly it is smashing up the POTENTIAL you have for God in this one & only life!
* I have discovered something @ the "F" word- unleashing it is unnatural…
- When someone hurts me… says something against me… I like to hold a grudge- I want to get them back.
- Someone tells me I should forgive them but I don't want to release them.
- Forgiveness flies in the face of every instinct have.
* I want you to think - "who" is sitting on your bench?
* Could it be and ex-spouse, parent, coach… ex-business partner… a fellow student
NOTE: When we harbor unforgiveness… you are saying, "You control my life."
You hurt me you have the controls of my life.

1. Jesus had been talking about the Real "F" word…Mt. 18:21-22

*** Forgiveness is more about the one who has been offended than about the one who offended.
* Simon Peter didn't get it so Jesus explains by launching into one of his classic stories…
Jesus the classic story teller- bible times rarely ever taught without telling stories.
Mt 18:23-35 A classic story about forgiveness.
Mt 18:32-34
Irony- the King had delivered the servant from prison BUT the servant put himself in prison.
*** The same is true in your life & mine.
(1) We have been delivered, set free, forgiven (if saved) the debt has been taken care of…
If we harbor unforgiveness we put ourselves back in PRISON.
(2) Back in the condition we were in before we understood forgiveness!

* I think we have all been there- haven't we? We have received forgiveness but to experience it?
* When we practice forgiveness we are MOST like God! Because that is "who" God is.

2. Jesus deals with Peter once again Mt 18:22 not 7 times but 70x7=490 (Needs to be a habit)
* "For-GIVE-ness - "give is in the word! We are giving ourselves a gift.
* The "Lord's" prayer- talks about forgiveness…
- One of the statements is "confession"- we are to confess to the Father.
I love that I can do that.
Mt. 6:12 "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
* We have been taught to easily confess our sins (generally) then walk away.
* (v12b "AS"… I want quick forgiveness, so do I give quick forgiveness?)

Lk 11:4 "And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."
* People like to HOLD onto unforgiveness because it gives us a rush, sense of power.
* A. God says I want you to do something that is Unnatural.
B. Self- certain barriers that keep the people on our BENCH… from experiencing forgiveness
1. Self-deception barrier- we rationalize, tell ourselves rational lies…

2. Self-defense barrier- our favorite,
* Forgiveness is a GREAT act of FAITH.
Romans 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

3. Self-image barrier-

NOTE: We are at our strongest when we admit to God & other the obvious.
We are in a great position when we say- "debt cancelled."

4. Self-protection barrier-
* But don't let it stop you from experiencing all the greatness of God & experience forgiveness.

Conclusion:
* This is the picture of what God wants to do in this series---
1. To see the names of the people on your bench.
2. To show how to release them and for Him to lead you to safety.
* So you and I can be ALL that the Master wants us to for His kingdom.