What do you do when someone has really hurt you? In the conclusion to our How to Be Courageous series, we discover that forgiveness is one of the most courageous things we'll ever do. Walking through Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant, we learn why we forgive from a place of already being forgiven, why letting go is so much harder than "just letting it go," and how holding onto offense keeps us trapped rather than the person who hurt us.

Whether you're carrying a fresh hurt or a wound that's followed you for years, this message offers a practical, grace-filled path forward: name the hurt, remember the mercy you've received, and release the person to God. Forgiveness doesn't mean the pain wasn't real. It means you're ready to walk out of the prison and let God begin to heal your heart.

0:00 Concluding the Courage Series
2:21 Why We Forgive: Forgiven First
3:19 Why Forgiveness Takes Courage
6:12 Peter's Question: How Many Times?
8:20 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
14:44 Zach's Story: Freedom to Forgive
26:34 Giving Up the Judge's Seat
33:34 Three Movements and a Prayer to Close

Preached by Jacob Gaines on July 12, 2026 at Local Vineyard Church.

Watch the video and find more at https://localvineyard.church/messages/how-to-be-courageous/the-courage-to-forgive

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Jesus is often described as kind, gentle, and compassionate, but Scripture shows us another side just as true: Jesus was fierce. In this message from our summer miniseries How to Be Courageous, we walk through John chapter 2, where Jesus clears the temple courts, and discover what fierce love really looks like. This isn't anger or impulsiveness. It's love that refuses to stay passive about what matters most.

Learn how fierce courage sees the barriers keeping people from God, refuses to call brokenness "normal," and always makes a way back to the Father. We'll explore why real courage is developed privately before it's ever displayed publicly, how to fight for your marriage, your kids, and your faith, and what it means that your own body is now a temple of the Holy Spirit. If there's a table that needs flipping in your heart, this message is an invitation to let Jesus clear it out.

0:00 A Lesson in Courage
2:30 Jesus Was Fierce
9:09 John 2: Jesus Enters the Temple
14:56 Fierce Love Refuses to Stay Passive
18:58 What Consumes You?
23:07 Fierce Love Makes a Way
26:35 You Are the Temple Now
30:17 Response and Prayer

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In this message from Local Vineyard Church, Pastor Jacob kicks off a brand-new three-part summer series, How to Be Courageous, with a powerful look at what real courage looks like. Courage is trusting Jesus enough to take the next right step while fear is staring you in the face.

Through the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5, we see a person who had suffered for twelve years—physically, relationally, socially, and spiritually—yet found the courage to push through the crowd and reach for Jesus. Her story shows us that courage faces what fear tells us to hide, courage moves through what stands in the way, and courage lets Jesus rewrite our story.

If you're carrying something heavy, hiding pain behind a smile, or believing the labels that fear has placed on you, this message is an invitation to stop hiding and start moving toward the One who heals. You were made to do hard things, and you don't have to do them alone.

0:00 Brave Kids, Different Fears
3:22 Introducing How to Be Courageous
6:19 A Woman Facing the Impossible (Mark 5)
13:35 Courage Faces What Fear Tells You to Hide
18:15 Courage Means You Have to Get Up
23:44 The Difference Between Near and Reaching
28:24 Daughter, Your Faith Has Made You Well
29:38 Closing Prayer & Response

Support the show

Made a decision to follow Jesus? We want to know about it! Fill out our connect card here: https://local.churchcenter.com/people/forms/115766

Thank you for your generosity. For information on how to give, visit https://localvineyard.church/give.