How to Pray: Forgiveness
Matthew 6:9–15
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
— Matthew 6:12
“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.”
— Matthew 6:14–15
Big Idea
Forgiveness is the fruit of a heart that has first received God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We can forgive because we have been forgiven.
Sermon Notes
1. Forgiveness is a Fruit
Key Thought: Our actions reveal what is rooted in our hearts.
Matthew 7:16–18
"You will recognize them by their fruits..."
Fruit to Root Framework
Apart from Christ...
Ephesians 2:1–3
In our own strength, we cannot truly forgive.
But God...
Ephesians 2:4–10
"But God, being rich in mercy..."
Because of Christ:
We can forgive because Christ has first forgiven us.
3. Living Out Our Forgiveness
Evaluate
Ask yourself:
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us..."
Quote
"Confession is telling God the truth about what you really believe about Him, yourself, and others."
— Jamie Winship, Living Fearless
Obey
Jesus calls us to extend the same forgiveness we have received.
Matthew 6:14–15
Forgiveness is not earned—it is freely given because Christ freely forgave us.
Key Scripture References
"Sometimes we have to wait and evaluate the fruit to know what a plant really is."
"Forgiveness is a fruit that grows from the root of the Gospel."
"Apart from Christ we cannot forgive. In Christ we are empowered to forgive."
"We can forgive because we have been forgiven."
"He didn't just pull us out of the grave—He planted us to produce a harvest of good works."
Response
Evaluate.
Where is God revealing unforgiveness in your heart?
Confess.
Bring your honest thoughts, hurts, and beliefs before the Lord.
Obey.
Receive Christ's forgiveness and extend that same forgiveness to others through the power of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 6:9–15
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
— Matthew 6:12
“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.”
— Matthew 6:14–15
Big Idea
Forgiveness is the fruit of a heart that has first received God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We can forgive because we have been forgiven.
Sermon Notes
1. Forgiveness is a Fruit
Key Thought: Our actions reveal what is rooted in our hearts.
Matthew 7:16–18
"You will recognize them by their fruits..."
Fruit to Root Framework
- Fruit – Actions, attitudes, and outcomes.
- Thoughts & Beliefs – What am I believing?
- Heart – What truth or lie is driving my life?
- Forgiveness is not merely behavior—it grows from what we believe about God and ourselves.
Apart from Christ...
Ephesians 2:1–3
- Dead in sin
- Following the flesh
- Unable to produce spiritual fruit
- The works of the flesh cannot produce biblical forgiveness.
In our own strength, we cannot truly forgive.
But God...
Ephesians 2:4–10
"But God, being rich in mercy..."
Because of Christ:
- We are made alive.
- We are saved by grace.
- We are God's workmanship.
- We are created for good works.
- The Holy Spirit produces new fruit in our lives.
We can forgive because Christ has first forgiven us.
3. Living Out Our Forgiveness
Evaluate
Ask yourself:
- What fruit is my life producing?
- Is there bitterness or unforgiveness in my heart?
- Who have I refused to forgive?
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us..."
Quote
"Confession is telling God the truth about what you really believe about Him, yourself, and others."
— Jamie Winship, Living Fearless
Obey
Jesus calls us to extend the same forgiveness we have received.
Matthew 6:14–15
Forgiveness is not earned—it is freely given because Christ freely forgave us.
Key Scripture References
- Matthew 6:9–15
- Matthew 7:15–18
- Matthew 18:21–22
- Ephesians 2:1–10
- Galatians 5:19–25
- 1 John 1:9
"Sometimes we have to wait and evaluate the fruit to know what a plant really is."
"Forgiveness is a fruit that grows from the root of the Gospel."
"Apart from Christ we cannot forgive. In Christ we are empowered to forgive."
"We can forgive because we have been forgiven."
"He didn't just pull us out of the grave—He planted us to produce a harvest of good works."
Response
Evaluate.
Where is God revealing unforgiveness in your heart?
Confess.
Bring your honest thoughts, hurts, and beliefs before the Lord.
Obey.
Receive Christ's forgiveness and extend that same forgiveness to others through the power of the Holy Spirit