Title: Unforgiveness - A Weapon of Mass Destruction
Speaker: Ps Eugene Seow
Bible verse: Matthew 18:21-35

God is our bomb-shelter.
This sentence was shared during testimony time, this week being a baptism weekend. So we shall have no fear now of any mass destruction weapon, because God is indeed our refuge.

Then Peter came up to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother if he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy seven times."

And here, Ps Eugene pointed out that it is not just seventy seven, it is seventy units of seven, so that makes it a total of 490 times! In other words, Jesus was illustrating the point that it is limitless. You should always choose to forgive regardless how many times the brother sins against you.

And Jesus took this rather seriously by telling the parable of the servant who was in debt to the King, but was released of his debts out of the kind heart of the King. And yet this very same servant chose to hold his fellow servant to his debt and threw the other fellow into prison until he could pay him back. When the King heard about this, he dealt severely with the servant whom he had first freed from the debts. Right after telling this parable, Jesus even went further to explain it. Thus, this signifies the importance of having forgiveness as "This is how the heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Matt 6:9-15 gives 3 statements about God's forgiveness. How then does this tally with God's unconditional love? One must wonder, "God, you say you love me unconditionally, then what is this thing about me forgiving others then only you will forgive me?" True, God's love and forgiveness are unconditional, unlimited, but we need to receive. And we cannot receive until we forgive. Yet, in my opinion, there first is the need for forgiveness to be present, and this forgiveness is found when Jesus came and died for us. There lies the forgiveness of sin for all to claim. Whereupon after that, it is our part to forgive and beyond that to receive of God's forgiveness. Can understand what I am trying to put across?

I asked my girl this one very funny question: "Which one comes first? To forgive or to receive forgiveness?" If you can answer this, then I am sure you're clear about what I am trying to say in the above paragraph. Then when Pastor shared 1 John 4:19-21, it further clarifies the point.

How then, Lord, can I forgive?

Step One
Receive His Forgiveness - Be grateful and Understand the magnitude of His Grace

Pastor shared about the problem with peace negotiation. Each party is prepared to forgive much, and yet none is willing to receive forgiveness. This made me think about the political aspect with Bush and the Muslims. I heard from my colleagues that there was a deep hurt left by Bush Sr. due to his attack in the Gulf War during his reign as America President back in the 90s. So when Bush Jr. stepped up as President, the 911 incident occurred. This all stemmed from unforgiveness.

Step Two
Release His Forgiveness - Be generous and Unplug

We each need to go to a spiritual SPA, treatment for our spiritual wellness. What does it mean?
Speak it
Pray it
Act on it

A line that came to mind during sermon: Grace comes with gratefulness.