"So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you." Luke 17:3-6

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When the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, He responded with something unexpected: less. In this message, Pastor Josh reminds us that forgiveness isn't about having extraordinary faith but about faithfully using the mustard-seed faith we already have. Through forgiveness, God invites us to release bitterness, remain close to the Father, and experience the freedom that comes from letting go of what we've been carrying.

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1. It is not about how much faith you have.

The disciples heard Jesus call them to radical forgiveness and immediately responded, “Increase our faith.” But Jesus didn't tell them they needed more. Instead, He pointed them to a mustard seed. Forgiveness isn't reserved for a future version of ourselves who feels stronger, wiser, or more equipped. The faith we have today is enough to begin. Jesus removes every excuse and reminds us that it's not about the quantity of our faith, but where we place it.

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2. You have to let it go to let it grow.

Forgiveness is not a one-time feeling; it's a seed that must be planted and nurtured. The evidence of receiving God's forgiveness is our willingness to extend it to others. We can say we've forgiven someone while secretly suffocating the seed by replaying old hurts and refusing to let healing take root. Freedom begins when we release what we've been holding onto and allow God to grow something new in its place.

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3. You forgive by nearness, not by force.

We cannot force ourselves into forgiveness through willpower alone. Forgiveness flows from staying close to the Father and remembering how much we've been forgiven. The closer we are to God's heart, the easier it becomes to extend grace to others. When we're distant from Him, bitterness begins to take root. But when we remain near, forgiveness naturally overflows from our lives.

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Discussion Questions

1. What is a situation you've been waiting to forgive once you felt more ready, stronger, or more healed?
2. Pastor Josh said, “The sign that you are forgiven is that you forgive others.” How does that challenge your understanding of forgiveness?
3. Is there an area where you've said you've forgiven someone, but haven't allowed that forgiveness to grow?
4. Which feels most difficult right now: forgiving someone else, forgiving yourself, or releasing disappointment you've carried toward God? Why?

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