Bel Air #6
Bel Air Sermon • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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How dangerous is unforgiveness?
How dangerous is unforgiveness?
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Lets pray
Introduction
How dangerous is unforgiveness?
What does the Bible say about holding onto bitterness?
resentment?
offense?
Today I want to discuss how unforgiveness affects our spiritual life
We want to address what the bible teaches about forgiveness
How do we forgive through God’s grace?
What do we receive?
The freedom and healing that comes from forgiveness
We learn the practical biblical steps to walk in love and reconciliation
Think about this
A man who was forgiven much now finds someone who wounded him deeply on the street
It can be anyone or anything
a mother that hurt you
a father that hurt you
your own rejection issues you blame on others
a divorce that scarred you
a mentor who abused you
a person in your own church that slandered you
What do we see
people will quickly forget what we have been forgiven of
Listen to this teaching from our Lord
I really want everyone to truly listen
Let us start with our first verse
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Peter is addressing here cases of people who repeatedly sin against you
The Jewish Rabbis required those who followed the law to forgive a person who was guilty of the same offense three times
Then they were free to stop forgiving
In this mindset, the offending person had exhausted any reason to be forgiven
Now Peter knows Jesus standard will be higher, so he more than doubles that number
Forming his suggestion into a question, he takes a guess
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Jesus says “no”
Instead , you must be prepared for unlimited forgiveness
Here are some debates among Christian scholars
one argument is in certain translations, seventy and seven means seventy seven times
another argument is seventy times seven which would be 490 times
And still another point that is brought up is Jesus , in naming the number 77, is playing off the words of the boastful Lamech in this verse
Genesis 4:24
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
Lamech was talking about revenge against those who would harm him for killing a man.
God had promised that Cain would be avenged seven times if anyone killed him
Lamech told this verse to his wives
The fact is this is what Jesus meant
Jesus wants His believers to forgive and keep on forgiving without any plan to stop
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
To illustrate this truth, Jesus begins a parable
As with other parables, Jesus starts by saying that” the kingdom of heaven is liken to...”
In this case, the point of comparison is also a kingdom with a powerful king.
The time had come for that king to settle the accounts with his servants
In a large and prosperous country, the king would have had high ranking servants who lived very well
even better than the free citizens of the nation
In the case of this story though, the servants were able to borrow or hold money owed to the king in some way for a limited time
the time to pay up had arrived
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Listen to Jesus
Jesus is explaining in a parable to illustrate why His followers should plan to forgive others
They should always forgive
The king was ready to settle accounts with his servants
This means that the servants owed the king money
One servant who was brought before the king owed him 10,000 talents
What was a talent?
Generally speaking, a talent was about as much money as a low level laborer could make in twenty years
The sum Jesus mentions is so large that is becomes meaningless to calculate an exact number
Literally many thousands times a lifetime worth of debt
What is owed is honestly beyond what the debtor could ever pay
Likewise, how any servant could ever owe his king this much money is impossible to imagine
However this is not the point of the story
But it does factor into the king’s merciful nature that he allows a servant to go into that much debt in the first place
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Nobody could come close to paying this debt
Since the man could not pay, the king decided to get what he could
He orders that the servant be sold into slavery, along with his wife and children and all that he owned
this way some payment could be made
for context, this was common practice in ancient times although the Jewish people did not practice this
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
This parable teaches a valuable lesson
This illustrates why Christians ought to be willing to forgive when others sin against them
He describes a king who is demanding payment for an impossible debt from one of his servants
Jesus chose this huge unpayable number in order to make His point about forgiveness
Since the man can not pay. the king ordered him and his family to be sold into slavery along with everything he owns
The amount the king would get for this is just a drop in the bucket but the king would still get something
Now the servant falls onto his knees before the king and begins to beg the king for patience
He promises to pay back the money if given enough time
Given the amount owed, anyone who was listening to this story from Jesus would have understood this to be absurd
The servant’s promise was empty and hopeless
The king in this story understood this as well
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
The king knowing this was impossible, takes pity on the man
He doesn’t cut the debt in half
In compassion for his servant, the king simply forgives the entire amount
He wipes out the debt
It is now gone
As it was impossible to imagine owing the king that amount of money
it is even more impossible to imagine the king simply forgiving the debt
The king in Jesus’ story does exactly that
The meaning of this parable is now starting to take shape
The debt of sin was apparently often compared to financial debts during this time
Here is a powerful king who not only patiently stands by while a servant accumulates a mind boggling debt
but he then forgives that debt
This is meant to be a powerful analogy for salvation through faith in Christ
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
This parable is not done, Peter’s initial question was about forgiving other people
so far Jesus has only spoken of forgiveness granted by the king
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
The man was free
It was a story with a happy ending, right
9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
For those with ears to hear, this part of the story gives perspective to humanity’s relationship with a forgiving God.
Through faith in Christ, God forgives a debt for our sin that we could never hope to repay.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
That debt is so severe, it is remarkable God allowed us to fall so far in the first place
We deserve eternal fire
Instead God gives us an eternal place in His family through faith in Christ
However the story is not over
The man leaves the presence of the king and goes into a confrontation with another servant
This fellow servant owes the man one hundred pence or denarii
This is not a tiny sum
a denarius was about a day’s wages
Still, though, a tiny fraction of a percent of what the servant owed the king who had just forgiven him
The man angrily demands payment
Even grabbing the other servant and choking him
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Instead of the happy ending, the servant goes out and finds another servant who owes him money
This debt is 100 days wages
Not a trivial amount, but nothing compared to what was written off for him
However, the man demands immediate payment
He grabs and starts choking the other servant
The servant in his debt falls to his knees and begs the man to be patient with him, promising to pay what he owes
The man now finds himself in a similar place as the king was just moments ago
His response will not be the same
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Remember this man was just forgiven several thousand lifetime wages by the king
He is in a similar position as the king was just in
What will the man do?
He refuses to forgive the debt
He refuses to even extend the loan
Instead, he has the other man put in debtor’s prison until he is able to pay back the entire amount
Debtor’s prisons don’t exist in many places
It is a strategy to force the friends and family to come up with cash to get them out of the prison, since they could not earn money themselves to pay their way out from prison
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Outrage would have been the appropriate emotional response to what the servant had just done
The other servants were deeply disturbed by this
They knew both sides of the story
They knew the accusing man was forgiven for an impossible sum
They knew that, unbelievably, the man had refused to forgive or even negotiate the much smaller sum
The ugliness of that action got to them
It could not stand
They went and reported to the king what had happened
Are you seeing the point Jesus is making here
God is like the king
He remains patient even as we accrue a massive “debt” in sin
In Christ, He forgives our enormous, unpayable debt of sin, the sin that has earned us His wrath and judgment
After Jesus death and resurrection, the story would resonate even more deeply with the disciples
After all, Jesus is the one who paid the debt for our sin with His life
We are forgiven because He suffered and died
Soon Jesus will tie this parable to Peter’s question about forgiveness
The point is that it is outrageous for those who have been forgiven for such an extraordinary burden of sin debt, at the cost of Jesus’ life, to refuse to forgive sin inflicted on us by another.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
The distress of the man’s fellow servants has now become the fury of his king
Those servants have reported to the king that the same man he had forgiven for an unpayable debt had turned around and jailed another servant for a ridiculously smaller debt
The one who had been forgiven all refused to forgive any
The king calls his servant back into his presence and calls him wicked
The king reminds him that he has just forgave the enormous debt because the man pleaded with him
Think about how angry the king would have been to hear this news from the other servants
Jesus’ point is obvious now
God has forgiven those who believe in Jesus an enormous, unpayable debt of sin instead of sending us away to hell.
Should that change the way we think about forgiving each other?
How can someone who is a born again believer fail to appreciate the debt they have been forgiven?
Look at this
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Does such a person even understand their own relationship to God?
This in fact is the point Christ is leading us to
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
The king now asks a question that should pierce the guilty man’s heart.
It really should pierce the hearts of every believer in Jesus who struggles to forgive others
The king asks plainly “shouldn’t you show the same mercy to others that I showed you?”
This makes Jesus’ parable very personal
God is the king who has forgiven us our sin
How much does that add up to?
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This means we owe God death, eternal and physical, as the payment for our sin
The debt we accrued for sin is so large that we have no hope of ever paying it back
Look at this
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
And yet, God is not only patient with us while we accumulate those sins, He offers complete and total forgiveness
Those who believe in Jesus, though, are forgiven
The gift of God is eternal life ,rather than death, for those who are in Jesus Christ
Keep this in mind
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Jesus, the one telling the story, will soon die on the cross to pay the death we owe to God for our sin
God will soon offer eternal life to all who come to Him through faith in Jesus
Eternal life begins with the forgiveness of sin through the death of Jesus
This is a gift of mercy
Now let us explain this teaching
It is helpful to realize that both parts of Jesus’ parable involves debt
this means both instances of forgiveness imply something real
Jesus is not saying when others sin against us, or harm us, that we should act as if it is nothing
The second servant’s debt was significant
this is the point
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
those large painful sins committed against us do not compare to the level of forgiveness we have been offered through faith in Christ
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
In response, the king reverses his earlier decision and delivers the servant to the jailers to be imprisoned. as well, until his debt is repaid
This is , in effect, a life sentence since the servant owes a large sum of money
In the context of Jesus’ parable, it is an eternal sentence
Look at this
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Jesus’ troubling application of the parable in the following verse raises questions for all of us
The point of this story is to demonstrate how much we owe God on account of our sin
For that reason, those who claim salvation in Christ ought to reflect that understanding by being forgiving towards others
Keep this in mind
People who will not or can not be forgiving put a stumbling block of doubt in their relationship with Christ
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Now Jesus is driving the point home
His Father in heaven, God, will also imprison every person who does not forgive his brother and/or sister from their heart
I am going to make this point, it is so important, I will repeat it
God expects those whom He forgives to forgive everyone who sins against them up to the amount they themselves have been forgiven.
Since every sin we commit is committed against God, those who are forgiven by Him are forgiven for every sin, every wrong and wicked choice, we ever do over the course of our lifetime
Nobody will ever sin against us anywhere near to the amount we have sinned against God
Conclusion
How are we forgiven?
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Only through faith in Christ and by God’s grace
The one who is telling this story is about to die on the cross to pay the price for the sins of all who believe in Him
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Now He tells us that God will not forgive those unwilling to forgive as they were forgiven
This is not because forgiveness is a pre-condition of salvation
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
No
but because forgiveness is a symptom of those who have been truly saved
God’s grace for us is absolute
our only hope of spending an eternity with Him
We can not earn His forgiveness by forgiving others
Look at this
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Instead we should understand that the God who saves us begins to change our hearts and makes us new in the image of Christ
The ability to forgive those who hurt us is evidence that the Spirit of God in us through faith in Christ is active and alive at work in us
Those who absolutely refuse to forgive may be showing that they are not willing to receive God’s forgiveness for their much larger debt of sin
This does not apply to those who want to forgive yet are grappling with it
Even though we are not perfect, we can show a willingness to obey
We can live consistently with an understanding that God has forgiven us for far more than we will ever need to forgive in others
Are you able to forgive?
Let us pray
