Pastor Andy · 16 August 2026
Sermon — Week 5 of the Forgiveness Series: "Is Wraak Sonde? / Is Revenge Sin?"
Drawing from Genesis 27:41-42, Revelation 6:9-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:4-8, Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:17-21, 1 Samuel 24 (David and Saul), Luke 23:34 (Jesus on the cross), Acts 7:59-60 (Stephen), 2 Timothy 4:14-16 (Paul and Alexander), Proverbs 24:17-18, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6, and Isaiah 55, the key themes were:
The week's context — Pastor Andy noted that WhatsApp messages from the congregation had been pouring in — all confidential — reflecting how deeply the forgiveness series had been touching people. He reminded them that Monday evening's Week 5 course session would deal with an even harder topic.
Esau and the desire for revenge — from Genesis 27:41-42: Esau hated Jacob because their father had blessed Jacob instead of him, and "said in his heart: the days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob." Revenge is defined as: "the desire to cause harm or damage to the person who has hurt you." Revenge begins as a result of a wound — a sense of injustice — and if left unaddressed, it deepens with time and brings a false emotional comfort.
Even in heaven, the martyrs cry for justice — from Revelation 6:9-10, when the fifth seal was opened, the souls under the altar cried out: "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" The pastor noted: even glorified souls long for righteous justice — but they leave it entirely in God's hands.
God is the righteous avenger — from 2 Thessalonians 1:4-8: "It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you." And from Deuteronomy 32:35: "Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time." God says: "I make alive and I kill. There is no God besides Me." The pastor explained this is not the God of the New Covenant speaking to the church — he is showing the character and nature of God as revealed through the Old Testament, to help us understand that God takes revenge seriously and commits Himself to handle it on our behalf.
Do not repay evil with evil — from Romans 12:17-21: "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." The pastor asked humorously: "Who owes you money?" Several hands went up. He then challenged: "Say to them — I release you. Your debt is cancelled." He spoke of the moment the Holy Spirit moves on finances — and how believers are called to respond immediately when God speaks, rather than holding onto grievances including financial ones.
The desire for revenge is sinful — the pastor was direct: the desire for revenge is sin. And yet, he noted, it is one of the most natural human responses. Even in a fully sanctified soul there can be moments where something rises up. He shared two personal stories — once cursing at a driver on Kingsway Road in front of his child, and years later doing the same in front of his grandchild — to illustrate that anything harboured and not dealt with through the blood of Jesus will eventually come out. "The things you store, they work. And in a moment you don't expect, they come out. Think about your anger outbursts — where do they come from?"
Pre-decide how you will respond — from Romans 12:17b: give thought beforehand to what is good in the sight of all people. The principle is: before someone wrongs you, decide how you will respond. Choose to respond in a way that is good and honourable before God.
David and Saul — the model of restraint — from 1 Samuel 24, when Saul was handed into David's hands in the cave, David refused to kill him, saying: "I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's anointed." David chose to show grace rather than take revenge — even when it was militarily justified. The pastor applied this: "Consider showing grace rather than seeking revenge."
Jesus, Stephen, and Paul — the ultimate examples — from Luke 23:34: Jesus on the cross said: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." From Acts 7:59-60: Stephen, being stoned, cried out: "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." From 2 Timothy 4:14-16: Paul wrote of Alexander the coppersmith who did him great harm: "May the Lord repay him according to his works" — and about those who abandoned him at his first defence: "May it not be charged against them." These are New Testament believers — not perfect, but choosing to hand their vengeance to God.
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls — from Proverbs 24:17-18: "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and it displease Him." The pastor challenged: even in your mind, your thought life, when you hear something bad has happened to someone who hurt you — check your heart.
Holiness is God's will — from 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification... that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such." The pastor declared: this is not just Old Testament teaching — the New Testament confirms God is the avenger. But now, through grace, we are sanctified and called to live above retaliation.
God's Word will not return void — from Isaiah 55: the pastor closed with the declaration that the Word that had gone out that morning would not return empty. God commits to accomplish exactly what He has spoken. He invited anyone still carrying a desire for revenge — anyone needing to cross a bridge — to stand and release it to God. He prayed the anointing of God would break every yoke, dissolve every chain of bitterness and revenge, and set them free in Jesus' name.