Phone A Friend | Week 1 | Joshua Paul | Echoes Church

In Week 1 of our Phone a Friend series, Pastor Joshua tackles one of the most personal, powerful, and difficult topics there is: Forgiveness. We all have a story. We've all been hurt. We've all done the hurting. But what does the Bible actually say about forgiveness—and why does it matter so much? Pastor Joshua unpacks what forgiveness is not (it's not denying, forgetting, controlling, or reconciling) and what it truly is: debt-free, ongoing, undeserved, and ultimately freeing, for you. Because here's the truth: you can't give what you don't have. And when you truly understand how much you've been forgiven, it changes how you choose to forgive others. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected with what God is doing through Echoes Church. Scripture References: Colossians 3, verse 13 | Colossians 2, verse 13 | Matthew 18, verses 21-22 | Titus 3, verse 5 | Matthew 6, verse 14 | Romans 3, verse 22 | Romans 12 | Romans 8, verse 1 | Luke 23 Message Timeline 0:00 – Welcome & Series Introduction: Phone a Friend 2:14 – A Christmas Story: You Can't Give What You Don't Have 7:45 – What Is Forgiveness, Really? 9:30 – What Forgiveness Is NOT 9:40 – Forgiveness Is Not Denying 10:28 – Forgiveness Is Not Forgetting 11:10 – Forgiveness Is Not Controlling 12:00 – Forgiveness Is Not Reconciling 13:22 – What Forgiveness IS 13:30 – Forgiveness Is Debt-Free 15:45 – Forgiveness Is Ongoing 18:10 – Forgiveness Is Undeserving 20:35 – Forgiveness Is Freeing 23:00 – The Science Backs It Up 25:10 – How Do We Actually Practice Forgiveness? 25:30 – Have You Ever Prayed For the Person Who Hurt You? 27:15 – Receive Forgiveness from God 29:00 – Give Forgiveness to Others 31:20 – Give Forgiveness to Yourself 33:05 – Pastor Joshua's Personal Story 38:00 – Communion & Closing Prayer