Father, Forgive Them | Robert Madu | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Father, Forgive Them

Social Dallas • Jun 15, 2025 • 58 min

Start a Devotional

Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Even in the midst of extreme physical agony on the cross, Jesus modeled ultimate grace by praying, 'Father, forgive them.' True biblical forgiveness is not a feeling, a matter of forgetting, strict fairness, or required fellowship; rather, it is a faith decision to cancel the debt others owe us because Jesus paid it all. As believers who have received God's immense mercy, we must allow forgiveness to flow through us so we can walk in full spiritual freedom and healing.

Themes

ForgivenessUnconditional GraceHealing from OffenseFaith over FeelingsReconciliation vs. Forgiveness

Pastor's Points

1.

Forgiveness is not a feeling.

2.

Forgiveness is not forgetting.

3.

Forgiveness is not fair.

4.

Forgiveness is not fellowship.

Key Points

1.
Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a decision made by faith in obedience to God regardless of emotional feelings.
2.
Forgiveness is not forgetting; humans do not have the ability to erase painful memories, but God brings redemptive purpose out of our pain.
3.
Forgiveness is not fair; grace releases us from getting what we deserve, and believers should rejoice that God does not deal with us based on strict fairness.
4.
Forgiveness is not fellowship; forgiving someone releases them to God, whereas reconciliation requires two parties actively rebuilding trust.
5.
Forgiveness is letting go of what others owe us because Jesus has already paid the debt in full on the cross.
6.
Pain and offense reveal what is already inside our hearts when life bumps into us, making dialogue with God essential during suffering.
7.
Believers must never allow suffering, betrayal, or offenses to stop them from staying in continuous conversation with their Heavenly Father.

Sermon Moments

“Never allow the pain of what you're going through to stop you from talking to your Heavenly Father.”

“Forgiveness hurts to give, but it's healing to receive.”

“Forgiveness is not just something that can flow to you. It is something that must flow through you.”

“Forgiveness doesn't mean they were right; it just means they no longer have the right to keep you stuck.”

“Forgiveness is letting go of what they owe because Jesus paid it all.”

“Forgiveness is not about keeping score. Forgiveness is about losing count.”

“We think we'll forgive when we're healed, not realizing you have to forgive to be healed.”

“When Jesus said 'Father, forgive them,' He was still bleeding.”

This Week

Stop waiting for emotional feelings to align before forgiving, and choose by faith today to release those who have hurt you.

Keep the dialogue going with your Heavenly Father, refusing to allow pain, offense, or feeling distant from God to stop your prayer life.

Make forgiveness a daily habit by praying for God to forgive your debts as you forgive those who trespass against you each day.

Distinguish between biblical forgiveness and relational fellowship, releasing bitterness toward someone while establishing healthy boundaries.

Lose count of offenses instead of keeping score of how many times people have wronged or disappointed you.

Write down on paper any names, betrayals, or offenses blocking your spiritual flow and symbolically release them to God.

Choose to extend forgiveness even while still carrying pain, trusting that healing comes through releasing others rather than waiting for pain to vanish first.

Remember This

Forgiveness is letting go of what others owe you because Jesus has already paid it all on the cross.

A Challenge for You

Write down the name, offense, or situation that has been blocking the flow of forgiveness in your life, drop it at the altar, and step into the freedom Christ paid for you to experience.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.