Release the Prisoner: A Journey to Freedom | Elder Rick Prosser | 8/30/2026

What if the person being held captive by unforgiveness… is you? In this message, Elder Rick Prosser takes us on a sobering journey through the final hours of Jesus—from Gethsemane, to the flogging and mocking, through the streets carrying the cross, and finally to Calvary. Jesus was betrayed. Beaten. Mocked. Humiliated. Crucified. Yet from the cross, His response was: *“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” — Luke 23:34* Jesus shows us what forgiveness looks like when the hurt is real and the cost is unfair. Unforgiveness can make us feel like we’re still in control. But eventually, something changes: **You think you’re holding it—but it’s holding you. You think you’re controlling it—but you’re becoming its prisoner.** What they did may be over, but unforgiveness can continue the punishment long after the offense. It’s time to *release the prisoner—and that prisoner may be you.* ✝️ *Key Themes:* • Walking through the physical and emotional suffering Jesus endured • Why Jesus’ prayer from the cross changes how we understand forgiveness • The hidden cost of holding on to what someone owes you • Why forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending the offense never happened • Learning to pray, “Father, forgive them” • Forgiving others—and learning to forgive yourself • Bringing what happened into the light so healing can begin 📖 *Key Scriptures:* • Luke 22:39–46 — “Not My will, but Yours, be done.” • Luke 23:34 — “Father, forgive them…” • Hebrews 4:14–15 — Jesus was tempted as we are, yet without sin • Isaiah 53:5–6 — He was wounded for our transgressions • Matthew 6:12 — “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” • Luke 6:28 — Pray for those who mistreat you • Acts 7:60 — Stephen follows Jesus’ example of forgiveness • Ephesians 5:8–13 — Exposing darkness to the light 🙌 *How do you begin to forgive?* Start where Jesus started: *“Father, forgive them.”* Write down the names of the people who hurt you. Write down what was taken from you. Bring what has been hidden in darkness into the light. Forgiveness doesn’t change what happened. *It changes who remains imprisoned by it.* 🔔 Like, subscribe, and share this message with someone who may be carrying a hurt they were never meant to carry forever. *Stay connected:* Website: https://restoration-oh.com/ Facebook:   / restorationchurch108   Support our ministry: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=d2d7c77... Join us in person or online every Sunday at 11:00 AM. *Restoration Church | Steubenville, OH* #ReleaseThePrisoner #Forgiveness #Unforgiveness #Jesus #TheCross #Calvary #FreedomInChrist #ChristianFaith #SundaySermon #RestorationChurch