Topic: Effects of Unforgiveness – [Open Heavens for Teens 17 October 2019]

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Memorise: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12

Read: Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 62-64, 1 Thessalonians 5

MESSAGE:

There is a story of a teacher who asked his students to bring fresh tomatoes to school the next day. The next day, the teacher asked them to put the tomatoes in their bags and go everywhere with it. After some days, the students started complaining of the stench from the rotten tomatoes in their bags and how they were tired of going about with it. The teacher then told them that the rotten tomatoes signified the people who had offended them and they refused to forgive, while their bags were their hearts and the smell was what came out from them when they refused to forgive people. Beloved, the Holy Spirit cannot stay in a rotten heart. An unforgiving person harbours a seed of the devil, so lots of miracles are delayed as a result of unforgiveness.

Are you aware that in forgiveness is an act of disobedience? In our Bible reading for today, Jesus said we should forgive offenders seventy times seven times per day. If the Almighty God can forgive us for the uncountable sins we have committed, how Mich more forgiving somebody just seventy times seven times? If you do not forgive, your Heavenly Father will also not forgive you.

Action Point:

Do you have a diary where you write down the names of offenders and their offences? Tear that book today and forgive all that have offended you.

Hymn 2:

1 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus:
Trust and obey, for theres no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2 Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3 Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4 But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5 Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.