Pastor’s Note

“Forgiven People Forgive People”

Matthew 18:21-35

Dear Church Family,

Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts we have ever received, and yet, it can also be one of the most difficult gifts for us to extend to others. We are quick to celebrate the grace and mercy of God when it comes to our own sins, but what happens when God calls us to extend that same grace and mercy to someone who has wronged us?

This Sunday, as we continue our sermon series, More Than a Story: Discovering the Kingdom Through the Parables of Jesus, we will turn to Matthew 18:21-35 and Jesus’ Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. Through this powerful story, Jesus reminds us that the God of the Universe has forgiven a debt we could never repay. Through Jesus Christ, our debt ledger has been wiped clean!

But God's grace was never intended to stop with us. We are not called to be cul-de-sacs of God's grace, allowing His mercy and forgiveness to terminate with us. Rather, we are called to be conduits of God's grace, allowing the forgiveness we have received to flow through us and into the lives of others.

The truth is simple, but life-changing: Forgiven people forgive people. Because we have been forgiven much, we are called to forgive much.

I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as we discover what it means to live as people who have not only received the grace of God but are willing to extend that grace to others.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Margaret