Sermon Text: Matthew 6:12
Theme: The fifth petition emboldens the sinner who forgives the debts of his neighbors to ask the Lord to pardon his own far greater debts because Christ Jesus paid for all of them on the cross.
Structure/points: The 5th petition of the Lord’s prayer reveals both the duty to ask for forgiveness and the duty to forgive. For many, that latter duty is difficult, undesirable, even impossible; some are tempted to skip praying this petition. But the Lord’s Prayer is how Jesus Himself taught us to pray; all of it is necessary for us to lift up to the Lord, even the parts that are seemingly impossible. While the need to forgive our debtors is a difficult duty to obey, Jesus couches that duty within the scope of the greatest need that any human being can have. The 5th petition teaches the petitioner about his need for forgiveness. It brings us to the feet of the Lord God with a humble plea for His aid, because we are helpless before Him. But it also gives us reason to be confident of the Lord’s gracious response to our plight. Examining the grace that we have received from the Lord in His forgiveness us will teach us about three things.
- The debts we owe
- The pardon we request
- The evidence we exhibit