The Problem of Forgiveness

September 27, 2026
The Problem of Forgiveness
Sermon Audio

CENTRAL TEXT: Matthew 6:13a

And lead us not into temptation

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 25:1, 4, 6, 14, 18

LEADER: To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
  teach me your paths.

ALL: Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,
  for they have been from of old.

LEADER: The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
  and he makes known to them his covenant.

ALL: Consider my affliction and my trouble,
  and forgive all my sins. 

PRAYER/SCRIPTURE READING/CONFESSION OF FAITH: John 21:4-8, 15-17

LEADER: The entire bible is One story; all pointing to the beauty and finished work of Jesus and so each week we offer additional readings & liturgy that connect to the central text and themes to illustrate this continuity. Our central text for today is found in Matthew 18 and so we offer this related reading found in John 21. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 

The Word of the Lord

ALL: Thanks be to God!

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

CONFESSION OF SIN:

LEADER: Let us confess our sin to the Lord.
ALL: All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 1 John 1:6-9

LEADER: If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
ALL: Thanks be to God!

BENEDICTION: Romans 4:7, Colossians 3:12, 13

LEADER: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 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.
ALL: Amen!

Related Scripture:

Exodus 34;6, 7 
Luke 7:41-50

Illustrations:

Sep 27, 2026

Discussion Questions:

  1. Ever had a financial debt canceled? If so, what was that like? 
  2.  Is Jesus making His father’s forgiveness of us condition upon our forgiveness of others? Kick that idea around and seek a tentative conclusion 
  3. Does Jesus forgive all we do prior to trusting Him, or does He apply to us His forgiveness forever? Make your case? What is the mark of someone who grasps His forgiveness? 
  4. Can one forgive someone and still want their good in their facing justice? Defend your answer. 
  5. How are forgiveness and reconciliation (renewed trust and relationship) related and yet also distinct?

QUOTES:

The essence of the Christian religion consists in the reality that the creation of the Father, ruined by sin, is restored in the death of the Son of God, and re-created by the grace of the Holy Spirit into a kingdom of God. 
-  Herman Bavinck
I [see] in American culture how offended people seem to be by the very idea of forgiveness itself. They seem to find it immoral. . . . there's just something unsustainable about an environment that demands constant atonement but actively disdains the very idea of forgiveness. 
- Elisabeth Bruenig

Books / Docs

Sermons / Talks

Homily 61 on this passage, John Chrysostom c. 4th century AD 
Elizabeth Bruenig discusses forgiveness here and here