We all have names that, when mentioned, stir up old wounds and unresolved tension within us. These names are attached to stories—stories of offense, betrayal, or deep hurt. If we don’t learn how to move forward, these wounds can imprison us, affecting our present relationships and even our walk with God. The story of Louis Zamperini, a man who endured unimaginable suffering as a prisoner of war and then found himself trapped in bitterness and hatred, powerfully illustrates the destructive power of unforgiveness. His journey to freedom began not when his circumstances changed, but when he encountered the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Only then was he able to forgive those who had wronged him, and in doing so, he found true freedom.

Forgiveness is not natural; it is supernatural. Our instinct is to seek justice, to make others pay for what they’ve done. But the gospel flips the script. Jesus teaches us that the forgiveness we receive from God is meant to flow outward to others. This is not a suggestion but a command for those who follow Christ. Paul, writing from prison, reminds us in Ephesians that our identity as forgiven people should shape the way we relate to others. We are called to “get rid of all bitterness” and to forgive “just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” This is not about minimizing the pain or pretending the offense didn’t happen. Rather, it’s about recognizing the depth of our own need for forgiveness and the immense cost Jesus paid to cancel our debt.

Forgiveness is not forgetting, excusing, or instantly restoring trust. It is not the same as reconciliation, nor does it remove consequences. Forgiveness is a decision—a choice to release the right to collect a debt that is genuinely owed. Sometimes, this is a process that must be repeated as old wounds resurface. At times, wisdom calls us to overlook minor offenses; at other times, we must have hard conversations, always with humility and a desire for restoration, not vindication.

Ultimately, forgiveness is about freedom—freedom for the one who forgives. Jesus endured the cross, absorbing the cost of our sin, so that we could be set free. As we grasp the depth of what we’ve been forgiven, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to extend that same grace to others. This is the path to healthy relationships, spiritual maturity, and true freedom in Christ.

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome

[01:30] - The Story of Louis Zamperini

[04:54] - Encountering the Gospel and Forgiveness

[08:04] - The Challenge of Forgiving the Unrepentant

[10:31] - Forgiveness Does Not Erase the Past

[13:10] - Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness

[14:40] - Forgiven People Become Forgiving People

[18:05] - Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians: Context

[20:21] - Grieving the Holy Spirit with Bitterness

[23:48] - Taking Out the Trash: Removing Bitterness

[25:15] - Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness

[28:17] - The Vertical and Horizontal Dimensions of Forgiveness

[33:30] - The Cost of Our Forgiveness

[35:47] - Jesus’ Suffering and the Depth of Our Need

[42:30] - What Forgiveness Is (and Isn’t)

[48:41] - Boundaries, Consequences, and Reconciliation

[51:18] - Forgiveness Is Not a Feeling or Contingent on Apology

[56:26] - Overlooking Offenses and When to Confront

[59:58] - The Freedom of Forgiveness and Invitation to Respond

[62:42] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Sermon Notes:

https://www.bible.com/events/49521262