OPENING SCRIPTURE:

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS. (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)

What example – Forgiveness.

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. (Luke 6:28- 29 NIV)

• Now Jesus did not just talk the talk, but He also walked the walk.

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:23 NIV)

• On the cross, Jesus cried out: Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do
• Forgiveness is a big part of our walk with Christ.

Forgiveness is not a skill that we are born with, it must be learned.
In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught is that forgiveness is key to our walk!
“FORGIVE us our sins, as we have FORGIVEN those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12 NLT)

“If you FORGIVE those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will FORGIVE you. But if you refuse to FORGIVE others, your Father will not FORGIVE your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15 NLT)

• The Greek word for “forgive” is aphiemi, which means “to let go or release.”
• A conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance towards a person who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

How many times should we forgive?

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, HOW OFTEN shall my brother sin against me, and I FORGIVE him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN. (Matthew 18:21 NKJ)

• 490 times in one day.
• Don’t put a cap on forgiveness. Don’t put your price on forgiveness.

Jesus used a parable to illustrate His point.

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him TEN THOUSAND TALENTS. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was MOVED WITH COMPASSION, RELEASED HIM, AND FORGAVE HIM THE DEBT.
“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him A HUNDRED DENARII; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And HE WOULD NOT, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. SHOULD YOU NOT ALSO HAVE HAD COMPASSION ON YOUR FELLOW SERVANT, JUST AS I HAD PITY ON YOU?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. (Matthew 18:23-34 NKJ)

• A talent is a measure of silver usually around 33kg in weight.
• Today’s silver market $820 per kilo. 1 talent = $ 27,060. 10,000 talents = $270,600,000.
• One denarius is equivalent to 0.10 ounce of silver. Today’s market 100 denarii would be around $2.

Can you imagine refusing to forgive someone over $2, when you have been forgiven a debt of $270 m?

Don’t put your price on forgiveness!
You don’t get to set that price. Jesus did. It’s the price of His blood!

CONCLUSION:
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?