Introduction:

In Luke 23:34, Jesus said

“Father, forgive them for
they do not know what they
are doing.” WHY?
 Why Forgive?
Luke 23:33-34

A Sunday Worship Service Message

23April 2022
 Early one morning in Dacula, Georgia, USA, Matt
Swatzell was driving home from a 24-hour shift
as a firefighter and EMS and had only 30 minutes
of sleep. He was less than four miles from his
home on October 2, 2006 when he suddenly
heard what he calls “the most God awful sound
A Story about I’ve ever heard.”

Forgiveness
Swatzell, then 20, realized he had fallen asleep at
the wheel and crashed. When he got out of the
car, he saw the car of 30-year old June Fitzgerald.
She was pregnant and with her then 19-month-
old daughter Faith. Faith survived the crash but
her mother and unborn sibling passed away.
A Story about Forgiveness
June’s husband, Erik Fitzgerald, a full-
time pastor, grieved the loss of his wife
and child with close family and friends,
including young people from his student
ministry. One young girl told him she
couldn’t help but think of how the driver
of the car was feeling. He told her she was
right, and that they should all pray for
him. It was his opportunity to practice the
forgiveness he had preached so many
times before.
“You forgive as you’ve been forgiven,” said Fitzgerald, referencing a Bible verse. “It
wasn’t an option. If you’ve been forgiven, then you need to extend that forgiveness.”
 A Story about
Forgiveness

•Fitzgerald's forgiveness has created a

friendship now six years strong. The men
stayed connected by meeting at least once
every two weeks, attending church together
and eating meals at the Waffle House and
other restaurants, just the two of them.
Why Forgive?
Matthew 6:14-15
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive
others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses.

Matthew 6:12
12   and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors. 1. Because God Forgave
Us of our sins.
Ephesians 4:32
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Matthew 26:28
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for
many for the forgiveness of sins.
 Why Forgive?
Ephesians 4:32
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave
you.
Mark 11:25
25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have
anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is
in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Matthew 18:21-22
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often
will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many
as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you
seven times, but seventy-seven times.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your
heavenly father will also forgive you.
– Matthew 6:14
Leviticus 19:18
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against
anyone among your people but love your
neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” 
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother has something against
you, leave your gift there before the altar and go.
First be reconciled to your brother, and then come
and offer your gift.
– Matthew 5:23-24
2. Because God Commanded
us to forgive.
 Why Forgive?
Love prospers when a fault is
forgiven; but dwelling on it separates
close friends. (Proverbs 17:9)

Proverbs 10:12
12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love
covers over all wrongs.

But I say to you who hear:  love your

3. Forgiveness is essential
enemies, do good to those who hate you. for healthy relationships.
– Luke 6:27

For Love to grow, forgiveness is the key.

JP
 Why Forgive?
1 Thessalonians 5:15
15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for
wrong, but always strive to do what is good for
each other and for everyone else
4. Man’s Revenge Is Not
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to God’s Justice 
do what is honorable in the sight of all.
– Romans 12:17

Deuteronomy 32:35
35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time
their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near
and their doom rushes upon them.”
 Why Forgive?
“I tell you, her sins — and they are
many — have been forgiven, so she
has shown me much love. But a
person who is forgiven little shows
5. Forgiveness can change
only little love.” (Luke 7:47)
your life.

For by grace you have been saved through

faith. And this is not your own doing; it is
the gift of God.
– Ephesian 2:8
 Why Forgive?

LORD, if You kept a record of our

sins, who, O LORD, could ever
survive? But You offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear You.”
(Psalm 130:3-4)

6. Forgiveness shows us God’s

power and mercy and leads us
to respect Him in a deeper way
 Why Forgive?

Look after each other so that none of

you fails to receive the grace of God.
Watch out that no poisonous root of
bitterness grows up to trouble you,
corrupting many. (Hebrews 12:14-
7. So that bitterness doesn’t
15)
take root in your life.
 Why Forgive?

In him we have redemption through

his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace,
which he made to abound toward us
8. Forgiveness brings
in all wisdom and prudence. redemption
– Ephesians 1:7-8
Why Forgive?

9. Forgiveness is one of life's greatest teachers

Why Forgive?

10. Forgiveness conquers Hatred.

Why Forgive?
For God so loved the world that he gave
his only son, that whoever believes in
him should not perish but have eternal
life. For God did not send his son into the
world to condemn the world, but in order
that the world might be saved through
him.
– John 3:16-17

Though we are overwhelmed by our sins,

you forgive them all.
– Psalm 65:3

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding 11. Forgiveness is an expression
in love to all who call to you. of Love.
– Psalm 86:5
Why Forgive?

He has delivered us from the domain of

darkness and transferred us to the kingdom
of his beloved son, in whom we have
redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
– Colossians 1:13-14

12. Forgiveness will set us FREE.

CONCLUSION:

Put on then, as Gods 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.
– Colossians 3:12-13
FORGIVENESS IS FOR US TO GIVE.