Forgiveness, The Unmerciful Servant

INTRO:

The Parables of Christ

Describe the Kingdom of God

Reveals our faith - Why are we following Christ

What is the final straw for someone to wrong you?

Peter asks the same question to Jesus

- How many times must I forgive my brother if he sins against me?

What is Forgiveness

Forgiveness = aphiemi (a - fee - a - me)

to send away, to let go of, to give up, yield

term used in finance for a debt

What Peter asks - How many times must I release my brother from his debt or offense to me? How often must I restore the relationship?

Jesus’ response

The Servant and the King

Matthew 18:23–27 ESV

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.

Matthew 18:23-

Debt is called to collection - sin

Servant can’t pay - Can’t atone

Servant loses everything to pay the debt - death

Servant asks for forgiveness - repentance

King cancels the debt - The one the debt is owed to is the only one able to remove the debt

Repentance Brings Forgiveness

Matthew 18:28–35 ESV

28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Matthew 18

Same scenario:

Fellow servant owes money

his debt is less than this servants to the king

Fellow servant asked for forgiveness the same way

Servant did not extend forgiveness

What is revealed about the first servant?

He desires mercy for himself but does not extend the same gift as it was shown to him

Did the king or the first servant have to or inclined in any way to forgive the debts to them?

were they right to punish others?

yes

Why then, did the king find fault in the first servant? Does Jesus forgive everyone? Why not? - repentance

repentance was present - vs. 26 & 29

Does Jesus forgive everyone

Without repentance, forgiveness doesn’t exist - the relationship isn’t restored without repentance

Forgiveness is not for the other person it’s for you

false

forgiveness is always for the other person

In what way would Jesus forgiving us be for His benefit?

the forgiveness is for us

we are at His mercy

we can’t earn that

What Are We To Do?

We are to be vessels prepared to give forgiveness as it was shown to us

Our prayers and attitudes are never to be filled with revenge, rather pointing others to Christ