The following message was preached at First Baptist Church, McEwen, Tennessee. This was their 108th homecoming. This is the church that I was a member of when I left for college in 1972.

Matthew 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

The forgiven man refused to forgive others. His refusal to forgive put him in great torment.

Our lack of forgiveness destroys us not others. While we desire to enjoy our forgiveness it turns to bitterness because of the unforgiveness in our own heart.

We are tortured by our own bitterness, hatred, selfishness, that continues to focus on us when we were meant to focus on others.

Your debt has been paid. It was far greater than anything that anyone could owe you. So go out and forgive.

Release them from what they did and deserve.

Love them by praying for them.

You will not forget but you can by grace decide to allow what they did hurt you like it did Jesus and you will free them but even more so yourself!