Trigger Happy - Part 2: "Coming Clean"

Series: Trigger Happy

The reason why people are quick to anger is because we forget how offensive we are, both to others, and, more specifically, to God. By default, we're experts at casting ourselves as victims, and telling ourselves stories that put us at the center of injustices. But we have it backwards. People who are unoffendable have a consistent practice of examining their own lives in the presence of God and being quick to repent of sin to God and make amends to the people they sin against. Unoffendable people are amazed that God has been patient with them.

Speaker: Jason Ewart

January 10, 2021

Jason Ewart

Lead Pastor

Follow Along with the Message

Trigger Happy Message Notes

Part 2 - Coming Clean

January 10, 2021

Matthew 18:21

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

Where do I draw the line with forgiveness?

Peter assumed that forgiveness is for the benefit of the offender.

Matthew 18:22-25

Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

Matthew 18:26

"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'

Matthew 18:27

The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

Forgiveness is choosing to cancel the debt instead of the person.

Matthew 18:28-29

But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

Matthew 18:30-34

"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

Matthew 18:35

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Becoming unoffendable begins when your focus shifts from what

has been taken from you instead of what has been given to you.

Psalm 32:1-5

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Group Questions:

Looking back at the last week, have you noticed any change in your relationship to taking offense? Why or why not?
Do you think most Christians agree with the sentiment behind Peter’s question to Jesus, namely, there’s a line out there, and once someone crosses it, you’re justified in taking offense?
Read the parable from Jesus in Matthew 18. What jumps out at you? See if your Group can identify five noteworthy features of the parable.
Unoffendable people focus on God’s grace, not my personal hurt. Why is that the first step to becoming unoffendable?
Have you been mindful and consistent this week about daily confession? What have you noticed? What long term impact might this practice have in your life?