The Forgiving God

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Intro- Prayer, thanksgiving over God’s forgiveness

… There shouldn’t be a day that goes by that we do not think about the fact that we are a forgiven people… forgiven, meaning that there was something to forgive

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Usually as we look at this parable we talk about the unforgiving servant. There are some elements to that that we will discuss, however, I Would like for us to spend a lot of our time focusing on the “Forgiving God.”

When we come to know our God deeper, it changes the way that we behave.

Jesus had just finished teaching about what to do if someone sins against you. (you go to him)

Peter’s question…How often should I forgive? V.21

a. Jewish Rabbi’s at this time required that you forgive someone 3 times. Peter was being very generous by offering to forgive 7 times.

Peter was thinking to himself… This sounds good… But what is the limit?

Jewish Rabbi’s at this time required that you forgive someone 3 times. Peter was being very generous by offering to forgive 7 time

7 was a number representing completeness. Jesus required his disciples to go way above and beyond what men considered “complete.”

b. 7 was a number representing completeness. Jesus required his disciples to go way above and beyond what men considered “complete.”

What we need to remember is that we don’t set the standard for forgiveness… Where do you want God to set the limit on His forgiveness?

The debt that was owed… 10,000 talents

a. A talent was not an amount of money, but a unit of measurement. It translates into roughly 75 pounds. This servant owed 10,000 of them. --- Impossible to pay.

A talent was not an amount of money, but a unit of measurement. It translates into roughly 75 pounds. This servant owed 10,000 of them. --- Impossible to pay.

The threat was that he and his family would be sold … It was a common part of the world when someone was a debtor that they would either be thrown into prison, or sold into slavery so that their family would raise the money to get them out.

The debt was so huge that Justice was of no value to him… He went straight to mercy...

b. The king (representative of God) forgave this debt that the servant could never repay.

i. “I owed a debt I could not pay”

“He paid a debt he did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed someone, to wash my sins away.”

He was granted more than he asked… V.26- “Have patience on me” … No matter the time allowed he wouldn’t be able to repay..

Why the debt was forgiven…

V.27- “Pity” - Deeply moved from the inward most parts. You feel it in your bones… You want to help them…

Let’s not lose sight of the analogy.. the one who was wronged deeply wants to help the one who did them wrong. Do you feel that way towards those who wrong you?

unfortunately it is all too easy to feel the way that this servant felt.

The servant’s greed.

a. This servant who just had a debt cancelled of 750,000 pounds of money, went to collect a debt that was owed him of 100 denarii which was about 4 month’s worth of work.

This servant who just had a debt cancelled of 750,000 pounds of money, went to collect a debt that was owed him of 100 denarii which was about 4 month’s worth of work.

b. This is a significant amount… but it tiny compared to what was just forgiven him.

This is a significant amount… but it tiny compared to what was just forgiven him.

Let’s pause here and not pretend like we aren’t ever really hurt by people… We can be cut to our core by the selfishness, thoughtlessness, and cruelty of others and it can hurt. If we aren’t careful, it can cripple us.

But, when we put it alongside what we have done to our king… It no longer seems significant.

He choked this servant, and threw him and his family in prison..

c. He choked this servant, and threw him and his family in prison..

A Valuable lesson… We are forgiven, as we forgive.

a. Matthew 5:7, Matthew 6:14-15,

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Matthew 6:14–15 ESV

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 5:7 ESV

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

b. The way we forgive, directly impacts how God forgives us.

The way we forgive, directly impacts how God forgives us.

If we refuse to forgive, God will not forgive us.

c. If we refuse to forgive, God will not forgive us.

What on this list of things that make us mad is worth your soul?

d. Refer to list on the board… what on this list of things that make us mad is worth your soul?

e. Is it worth your soul to be mad because someone said something to you, got you in trouble, took something from you? Are you willing to let something small like this, stand between you and Jesus?

Is it worth your soul to be mad because…

Conclusion- I want you to know tonight… You have hurt your God. However, You can be forgiven.

I also want you to know tonight that you can forgive others…