Sermon Summary
In this sermon Pastor Suzanne Vogel addresses the challenging topic of forgiveness, drawing insights from Matthew 18:15-35. It emphasizes that forgiveness is a core teaching of Jesus, essential for community and demonstrating His nature. The speaker clarifies what forgiveness is not—it’s not overlooking offenses, condoning sin, tolerating abuse, or guaranteeing reconciliation. Instead, forgiveness is a conscious choice, an interior act of releasing the debt and the right to retaliate, made possible by remembering the immense forgiveness one has received from God. The sermon encourages a practical, step-by-step approach to forgiveness, including seeking safety in abusive situations, and concludes with a guided, embodied prayer exercise for practicing forgiveness.