Pastor Pablo Russi
October 26, 2025
Relationships Restored - Week 3: Forgiven and Forward
Philemon 15-25 (ESV)
“For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother...especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”
(Skip down a little further, verse 17)
“So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it...to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.”
(And then skipping down to verse 21)
“Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.”
“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
Point 1: Forgiveness Breaks the Cycle.
“Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while…” (v.15).
When we hold onto unforgiveness, we relive what hurt us instead of redeeming what God’s doing through it. We keep the story on repeat.
forgiveness breaks that loop.
Unforgiveness says, “I’ll never move on.”
Forgiveness says, “God’s already moved...so I will too.”
Point 2: Forgiveness Restarts the Mission.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV):
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.”
When we forgive, we’re not just saying, “It’s okay.” We’re saying, “I’m back on mission.”
Point 3: Forgiveness Restores Others Through You.
Forgiven people become restorers. Restored people restore others.
Forgiveness doesn’t leave you where you are...it propels you toward what God still wants to do through you.
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