A sermon on the topic "The Forgiven Forgive: Extending Grace to Others." By Rev. Ruemu on Sunday, November 30th, 2025.

​Text: Matthew 18:21-35 (The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant)
​Introduction: The Arithmetic of the Heart

Good morning. If I were to ask you, “What is the most difficult command in the Bible? It’s the simple, searingly difficult command to forgive.

The Apostle Peter, ever the pragmatist, wanted to quantify it. He came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Peter thought he was being generous. The rabbis of the day taught three times was sufficient. Peter more than doubled it and threw in one for good measure. HE WAS PRACTICING THE ARITHMETIC OF FORGIVENESS.

But Jesus responds with THE CALCULUS OF GRACE. “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Or, as some translations say, “seventy times seven.” Jesus isn’t giving us a new math problem to solve—490 and then you’re done.
 He’s blowing the lid off any notion of keeping score.
HE’S SAYING, “YOUR FORGIVENESS SHOULD BE LIMITLESS, BECAUSE MINE IS.”

This is the core of our message today: Forgiveness is not a transaction we manage, but a grace we extend, because it is first a grace we have received.

The Staggering Debt Forgiven -This is THE VERTICAL REALITY: We have been forgiven a debt we could never pay.

The Call to Extend the Grace We Have Received-THE HORIZONTAL REALITY

So, how do we do this? How do we extend grace when it’s hard?
1. Remember Your Story. Discuss?
2. Forgiveness is a Choice. Discuss?
3. Trust God with the Justice. Which Bible verse(s)?
Let us pray.
OUR Father who art in heaven,
 Hallowed be thy Name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
 But deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, Forever and ever.
 Amen.