How to Be Truly Forgiving
Dear friends in Christ. A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. When he came back to his Grandma’s backyard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead. The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Amber had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day, Grandma said, “Amber, let’s wash the dishes.” But she said, “Trevor told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Trevor?” And she whispered to him, “Remember the duck!” Later Grampa asked if the children wanted to go fishing. Grandma said, “I’m sorry, but I need Amber to help make supper.” She smiled and said, “That’s all taken care of. Trevor wants to do it.” Again she whispered, “Remember the duck.” After several days of Trevor doing his chores and Amber’s, finally he couldn’t stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he’d killed the duck. “I know, Trevor,” she said, giving him a hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I wondered though how long you would let Amber make a slave of you.”
This illustration, of course, talks about revenge and forgiveness. Now that Amber had the duck to use as blackmail she could basically get her brother to do anything she wanted. In the end though it really didn’t matter did it? Grandma had already forgiven him, even before he confessed. Today we see Joseph do that exact same thing with his brothers. So, lets look at the example that Joseph sets for us and learn How to Be Truly Forgiving. We can do this in two ways. First we can show true forgiveness by being willing, and secondly we can forget and show love.
Now if you think about the story of Joseph you can definitely see lots of reasons for Joseph to want to take revenge on his brothers. You see, Joseph’s brothers hated him from the start. They were jealous of him because his Father Jacob favored him. Because of this hatred and jealousy the brothers captured Joseph and were ready to kill him. Luckily a band of merchants came passing through and the brothers decided to sell him and make money instead of killing him. This however worked out for Joseph’s good. He was well liked and well trusted in the house of Potiphar his master and was basically given charge of his household. When Joseph was thrown in jail because Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of adultery, God still blessed Joseph by giving him the ability to interpret dreams. After a while the king heard about Joseph’s dream interpreting skills and called on him to interpret two very disturbing dreams. The dreams basically said that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of total drought. By God’s grace, the king put Joseph in charge stock piling food and supplies for the upcoming drought and then also handing out food when the time came. He basically put Joseph in second command next to him. When his brother’s came to buy food Joseph would have had every right to take revenge on them. Yet despite all of the bad things that happened to Joseph, God worked it out for his, and their good.
And this is where our text picks up for today. Jacob, their father, had just died. And now that Jacob was dead they felt that nothing stood between them and Joseph’s revenge. You see though, the brothers still had not confessed their sin to Joseph. So, even though Joseph had forgiven them, they were not assured of that forgiveness. And when they did confess it was pretty weak. Instead of going to Joseph themselves they sent messengers to him. They were still scared of Joseph and what he would do to them. Our text says that Joseph was grieved they did this. He was sad and felt sorry for his brothers for the fact that they had lived with this guilt for so long even though he had forgiven them.
Just like those brothers, we too are sometimes scared to admit and confess aren’t we. It’s hard to look someone straight in the eye and say, “I’m sorry”. It’s easy to find ways around that isn’t there? We can be like the brothers and send someone else to tell that person we are sorry. Then we don’t have to confront that person face to face. We can also send them a letter or text or email or pass them a note telling them that we are sorry. Sometimes we may do everything we can to avoid an upfront personal confession. Another reason we don’t like to confess is because it shows a sign of weakness. And in our world today that is a big no – no. You need to show confidence, never weakness. You noticed however in our text that Joseph’s brothers felt that NEED to confess. Even if it was through someone else. So, what caused them to feel that need? It’s very simple. It’s something that we all have inside of us and that is our conscience. Even those small sins can’t hide from it. It’s always there gnawing away at us and making us feel guilty. Thank God that he has given us our consciences to make us feel sorry. So listen to it and confess your sins not only to God, but also to the people whom you sinned against no matter how difficult that might be.
Two days ago, it was Patriot Day, Sept. 11th. And it’s on that day we again remember the tragic events which happened in New York and Washington DC. 25 years ago. 25 years is a long time. We try not to ever forget or be complacent but we do need to move on, and yet that day still brings lots of mixed feelings for people. Lots of people think about revenge. There are also feelings of sadness for the innocent victims as well as the rescue workers. Feelings of admiration for the bravery and courage of those who went into those burning buildings, knowing that they could collapse at any time, after people just like you and me. And finally, there are feelings of anger. Anger against those responsible. So, how do we deal with that anger? Quite honestly, I think it’s different with everyone. But what’s the same is that we NEVER forget. We thank God that he has brought those responsible to justice. And we pray that he keeps our country safe from future attacks.
We can also show true forgiveness by forgetting and showing love. Our text says that Joseph had forgotten about his brother’s sins against him. He didn’t have any intention of ever bringing them up again or using them against his brothers. To him the matter was closed. The brothers however were still bothered by their sins. Their consciences still told them that they needed to confess. Again, Joseph explains to them that God worked out all the evil they did against him for their good.
In addition to forgiving his brothers, Joseph also took care of them. Now that they had moved to Egypt and left their homeland they would need provisions as well as land to graze their flocks. Joseph was just the right man to give them what they needed. Joseph saw to it that his brothers got all the food they needed and an ample amount of land to settle on. He did this not only because he loved his brothers, but because he saw it as his duty to take care of them. This was his job as the king’s right-hand man. Yes, Joseph had truly forgotten the sins of his brothers and now loved them just as much as if they hadn’t done anything to him at all.
Again, that’s hard for us. It seems like it’s very hard for us to forget a sin someone committed against us. Our sinful nature wants to keep harboring a grudge against that person. Our sinful nature wants to be able to hold that sin out in front of that person like a dirty sock and say, “Look what I have!” Sure, it may be easy for us to forgive but very hard for us to forget. Naturally we want to keep bringing up past sins. Our world today calls it blackmail. Let’s remember to not only be forgiving, but also to be forgetting. Because that’s what true forgiveness really is. This is the way that we show our love for God and for each other.
Out of this forgiveness then flows acts of love. These acts of love are varied for all of us. Each and every one of us has different ways that we can show our love for one another. We can help out the poor people in our community by contributing to a local food pantry. We can speak kindly to others even when they are upset with us. We can send supporting and encouraging cards to those who need to be encouraged. We can smile at that person who we know is having a very bad day. All these are ways that we can let our Christian lights shine in the world. Showing that we are Christians, showing Christ’s love. Thank him for that! Praise him for that. Be a true forgiver….. each and every day. Amen.
Welcome: The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
A CHURCH THAT’S QUICK TO FORGIVE
“Pay it forward.” That phrase means that when someone does something for you, instead of paying that person back directly, you pass along kindness to another person instead. Doing something kind for someone else is a way of thanking the person who originally did something kind for you.
Today God applies that concept to forgiveness. God forgave our countless sins. He was willing to pay an incomprehensible price—the death of his Son. Obviously, we will never have occasion do the same for God. We will never have to forgive God because everything he does for us shows perfect love and care. God never wrongs us. But others may do us wrong. Others may cause us pain. And when we are quick to forgive, it is one way we thank God for being so quick to forgive us. This is what God wants in his Church—people who, like him, are quick to forgive.
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ORDER OF WORSHIP……………………………………………………….……………p. 154
HYMNS: 731 – 733 – 668 – 386(1,4,5)
PRAYER – Lord God, heavenly Father, you graciously forgive us all our sins and abundantly provide for all our needs of body and soul. Give us confidence in your mercy, and teach us also to be merciful to our neighbor, that we willingly forgive all people, and judging only ourselves, lead blessed lives to your glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST LESSON – Genesis 50:15-21 (pew Bible p. 40) – Through his tears, Joseph never wavered, but he calmed his brothers’ fears, forgave them like God forgives, and set them free from their prison of the past.
PSALM FOR THE DAY……………………………………………………………………103
SECOND LESSON – Ephesians 4:29-5:2 (pew Bible p. 829) – St. Paul teaches that kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are marks of God’s church.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia / Your words are my joy – and my heart’s delight / Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
GOSPEL LESSON – Matthew 18:21-35 (pew Bible p. 695) – What a stunning picture of our debt of sin before God! The greatness of the debt magnifies the compassion of the king who wipes the debt away. Who can comprehend the forgiveness of God?
SERMON…………………………………………………………..…….…Genesis 50:15-21
“HOW TO BE TRULY FORGIVING”
Lessons for Proper 19
FIRST LESSON – Genesis 50:15-21
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be a
SECOND LESSON – Ephesians 4:29-5:2
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
GOSPEL LESSON – Matthew 18:21-35
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 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.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS
COMMUNION – This morning we have the privilege of receiving the Lord Jesus’ very body and blood together with the bread and wine, for the assurance of the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith in him as our Savior. We ask that only those who are communicant members of a church in fellowship with the WELS or ELS come to the Lord’s altar. Please be sure to sign up on the sheet in the entryway of church.
FELLOWSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY AFTER THE SERVICE – Please stick around for fellowship and Bible Study after the service today.
ELS-WELS MEN’S RETREAT – The 2026 Men’s Retreat will be held on Saturday at Redeemer Lutheran Church’s Family Life Center in Rolla, MO. The theme of the retreat is “Life As The Lord’s Man.” Our area pastors will lead as we look at how the Lord raised up and employed Nehemiah to be a blessing to others in his time and to consider his inspiring example for how we live our lives. The retreat begins with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and ends with farewells at 3:00 p.m. The cost is $25/person and includes Saturday lunch. Guests are welcome. Men should bring a Bible, and any special refreshments and snacks. Redeemer Lutheran is located at 1701 Highway 72 East, Rolla, MO 65401. The church phone number is 573-364-7071. Please let Pastor Krueger know that you will be coming by September 15. If you have questions about the retreat, you can direct them to Pastor Jim Witt at 314-501-4924 or jgwitt3@yahoo.com.
NEXT SUNDAY – Next Sunday we will celebrate Proper 20 at 9:00 with fellowship at 10:15. The readings will be: Jonah 3:1-5 / Romans 9:6-16 / Matthew 20:1-16.
CHURCH DIRECTORY AND PHOTOS – Angela and Dee Bruck will be taking photos to update our member photo board on September 20 and 27, and October 18 & 25. They will also be updating our church directory, so please check the copy we have provided in the narthex and make corrections if necessary. Please check the box next to your name after reviewing your information.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW– Last Week’s Worship Attendance: Members-25; Guests-5 / Fellowship-Bible Class – 20 / Sunday’s Offerings-$1,265.00
THOSE WE REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS – Barbara & Larry Long; Liz & Roger Lisenby; Greg Miller; Russ Perry, Deb Hunt’s father, in hospice care at home; Patsy Mickelson (Jane’s mother); Khendra Murdock; Norine Richardson.