Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our Debtors

Scripture

The Parable we will look at today is all about forgiveness. .

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, in .

Matt 18:

Matthew 18:21–35 NKJV

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

And from the Sermon on the Mount,

In , we read,

Matthew 6:12 NKJV

And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

Introduction

Today we will look at the Parable of Jesus that is all about forgiveness.

We just read it.

It is found in .

How was your week?

Today we will celebrate communion and it is an opportunity for all of us to come afresh to the wide and broad river of forgiveness and spiritual refreshment, and rededicate our lives to live for Jesus.

Our Parable for today is found in .

The First Question

opens with a question from the disciples to Jesus.

Slide

Jesus shaking his head, and saying, here we go again, the kids are at it again.

Matthew 18:1 NKJV

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

“Who then is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Jesus shaking his head, and saying, here we go again, the kids are at it again.

What a question!

tells us that this question arose from a dispute among the disciples, on which of them would be the greatest.

One can almost imagine Jesus shaking his head!

Here we go again

The kids are at it yet again.

Little Children

Jesus does not answer the question directly.

But basically says, we must become like a little child in the Kingdom of God.

The greek is “pa-d-on”, and signifies a little, small or young child.

It is used extensively in Matthew to refer to Jesus as a baby/child.

For example, when Harold spoke to the Wise men about reporting back to him after they found the child, “pa-d-on”.

Or when Mary and Joseph were told to take the child “pa-d-on” to Egypt.

Have you watched little children playing together?

It can be very amusing.

It is going so well, and then..

“Its mine, not its mine”

Born again, then children again. We don’t have time to focus on this today.

“Mum, look what so and so did to me...”

They run to their parents, “Mum, look what so and so did to me...”

But have you noticed that children forgive each other quickly

Children forgive quickly.

They do not hold grudges against each other

Are Children a model for us in this matter of forgiveness?

Continues

Born again, then children again. We don’t have time to focus on this today.

continues with Jesus talking about temptations and the importance of holiness.

Parable of the Lost Sheep

We then have the “Parable of the Lost Sheep”.

The theme is that which was lost is searched for, found and reunited with the flock.

The Offending Brother

After that we read in , the model for believer discipline or church discipline.

What is called, The Model of Conflict Resolution for the Church.

It is no accident it comes after the Parable of the Lost sheep and before the Parable about Forgiveness.

The Second Question and Parable

ends with a second question and Jesus response as a Parable.

Slide

Matthew 18:21 NKJV

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Peter’s questions on Forgiveness and Jesus response with the Parable about Forgiveness.

Where we started our reading today.

Slide

Matthew 18:21 NKJV

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Mrs White in Christ Object Lessons, titles this Parable, “The Measure of Forgiveness”

On the bulletin I named this, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”

Summary

So opens with a questions about who will be the greatness in the Kingdom of God, and concludes with a parable in answer to another question about forgiveness.

says, You want to be “Great” in the Kingdom of God, become like a little child, and practice forgiveness, because you have been forgiven.

Can you do that?

Greatness in God’s kingdom It is not primarily about the size of a church or even the number of baptisms. How we tend to measure things..

Greatness in God’s Kingdom is not primarily about great titles, credentials, tenure, etc...

says Greatness in God’s kingdom is about simple child like trust and obedience in the Lord, combined with love and forgiveness towards others.

Because we are loved by our Heavenly Father and have been forgiven immeasurably more than we can even begin to comprehend.

Emphasis

Jesus is saying, that is how Greatness is measured in the Kingdom of God!

And therefore, that is how God measures greatness in the Church today!

Such things should not be among the people of the Lord.

Let me ask something? Is that how we measure Greatness in the church today?

Is that how we measure Greatestness in the church today?

Is that how we measure greatness In our own lives?

In our own lives?

And if you agree with that , how is our church doing?

There is nothing less attractive than groups that are divided, critical, inward looking and holding grudges.

How are we doing?

Such things should not be among the people of the Lord.

With that as an introduction to this Parable, now let’s spend some time looking at the Parable about Forgiveness.

Peter’s Question

With that as an introduction to this Parable, let’s spend some time looking at the Parable about Forgiveness.

The Parable about Forgiveness starts with a simple question.

And of-course it is Peter that asks the question.

The kid that always has his hand up in class.

Remember the context, Jesus had just been teaching about the “the brother who sins against you”.

Matthew 18:21 NKJV

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

It is a very legitimate question.

And Of-course it is Peter that asks the question.

That person, that…, has said it again, has done it again, personally against me!

He/She drives me mad. There He goes again. Can He just shut up and listen.

I truly believe there are certain personalities and situations that are send to try us and help us develop character.

He/She drives me mad.

Remember Jesus had just be teaching about the “the brother who sins against you”.

Or am I the only one who struggles with that?

There He goes again...

Jesus Answer

Matthew 18:15 NKJV

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

Can He just shut up and listen.

Slide

Matthew 18:22 NKJV

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

More maths? How many times is that?

How many times is that?

How would you translate that?

77 or 70*7=490, or even as 7*7=49, the number is not the real point here.

The rabbinical tradition at Jesus time was 3 strikes and you are out.

Sounds familiar!

Mrs white says in Christ Object Lessons,

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 5 22. Until Seventy Times Seven

“Nothing can justify an unforgiving spirit” (COL 251).

Blank Slide

Credits and Debits

The man had been working hard for many, many years. Rising early every day, he was always at work on time and even put in extra hours as needed. No one doubted his work ethic. He faithfully put credits into his bank account every time he worked, even putting some aside for the future. You never know what the future will bring. He also spent. He has some things he loved in his life and he would spend on them, so he knew there were many debits on his account. But he never really checked his bank account. He felt he was doing “good enough, going his best” especially compared to others he Knew.

The letter came from the Bank Manager. He wanted to see him immediately to settle all accounts. Settle accounts, what does that mean? He hurried to the bank and the bank manager meet him straight away. He was presented with a statement of his accounts and an amount owed.

The debit balance was huge, more than he could pay in a lifetime, even in many, many lifetimes. He was totally confused! How could this have happened? He suddenly realised that all those credits he thought he was putting into his account were in fact debits. And on top of that, those debits he loved to spend on, were allot more than he thought.

He realised he was bankrupt, with no excuse and without hope. He was going to loose everything and every person in his life!

The Servant’s Debt

Slide

Matthew 18:23–26 NKJV

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

Matthew 18:23–25 NKJV

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

We are not told how the servant accumulated the debt.

We are told the debt amount.

10, 000 Talents.

This is a case where we must to go to 1st Century Israel context before we bring this Parable to Great Yarmouth.

We will keep it simple today

Most commentators believe

it is thought that,

1 Talent equals approx 6794 Denarius.

1 Minas equalled 100 Drachma.

For those accounting types, 1 Talent equals 60 Minas * 100 Drachmas = 6000 Drachmas

One of the common currency in use at the time of Jesus

1 Talent equals 60 Minas

Talent equals 60 Minas * 100 Drachmas = 6000 Drachmas

A Drachma was equivalent to just over a normal days wage in Jesus time.

A denarius was equivalent to a days wage

A Drachma was equivalent to just over a normal days wage in Jesus time.

It was slightly more valuable than the Denarius also in use at Jesus time

Slide

Matthew 20:2 NKJV

2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Matthew 20:2 NKJV

2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

6000 Drachma = approx 6794 Denarius.

For those accounting types in the congregation, it is thought that,

1 Talent = 6794 days of wages or 18.6 Years of Work or about

Here is the bottom line,

1 Minas equalled 100 Drachma.

1 Talent equals 60 Minas

This servant owed 10,000 talents. So 10,000 * 18.6 years of work

It is almost like saying a trillion today.

1 Talent equals 60 Minas * 100 Drachmas = 6000 Drachmas

Though some commentators say 1 Talent = 10,000 Drachma.

10,000 talents was almost like the biggest number in Jesus time.

A Drachma was equivalent to just over a normal days wage in Jesus time, as it was slightly more valuable than the denarius, the Roman coin of Jesus time.(Slide)

And that is what Jesus used to illustrate this servants debt.

Matthew 20:2 NKJV

2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Blank slide

Drachma was worth around 1.132352941 Denarius.

Our Debt to God

(1 Talent * 60 Minas * 100 Drachmas * 1.132352941) / 365 = 6794 days of wages or 18.6 Years.

Emphasis

There will be a test on this! You can wake up now.

This is a picture, or a mirror, of our debt to God, the King, the Master .

1 Talent = 18.6 Years of Work or about 6794 days of wages.

You are.

I don’t think I am that bad a sinner? You are!

This servant owed 10,000 talents.

Matt 18:

How can I owe so much to God? You do!

So we have gone from 7, to seventy times seven to 10000 talents, which is like saying the biggest number of the day.

Before God, we are bankrupt and without hope.

You do

It is as simple as that!

But We are told the amount.

The fact is we will all come to this realisation.

For those accounting types in the congregation, it is thought that,

Bankrupt, with no excuse and without hope

1 Minas equalled 100 Drachma.

The only question is whether that is now, in this life or at the final judgement.

1 Talent equals 60 Minas

1 Talent equals 60 Minas * 100 Drachmas = 6000 Drachmas

Though some commentators say 1 Talent = 10,000 Drachma.

Do you like Golf?

The Master

A Drachma was equivalent to just over a normal days wage in Jesus time, as it was slightly more valuable than the denarius, the Roman coin of Jesus time.(Slide)

Matthew 20:2 NKJV

2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

The man fell down before the Bank Manager, pleading his case and promising to try and pay of the debt. But the Bank Manger knew he could never pay it off, not in this lifetime, not in many lifetimes, the debt was beyond human measurement.

​ NKJV2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

But the Bank Manager was moved with compassion. And out of his own wealth, by his own effort, He paid off the debt for the man. And told him to go in peace..

Drachma was worth around 1.132352941 Denarius.

(1 Talent * 60 Minas * 100 Drachmas * 1.132352941) / 365 = 6794 days of wages or 18.6 Years.

How do you become a member of ?

There will be a test on this! You can wake up now.

Slide

(1 Talent * 60 Minas * 100 Drachmas * 1.132352941) / 365 = 6794 days of wages or 18.6 Years.There will be a test on this! You can wake up now.

Matthew 18:26–27 NKJV

26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

1 Talent = 18.6 Years of Work or about 6794 days of wages.

This servant owed 10,000 talents.

So we have gone from 7, to seventy times seven to 10000 talents, which is like saying the biggest number of the day.

The servant’s theology was not all in place.

He still seemed to think somehow he could pay off the debt.

But look at Masters,

He was moved with compassion.

The greek word for “compassion” appears 12 times in the NT,

Some relating the same story in different gospels.

Slide

Matthew 9:36 NKJV

36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Slide

Matthew 20:34 NKJV

34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

The Master forgave him the unmeasurable debt.

And in last weeks parable of the Good Samaritan,

Slide

Luke 10:33 NKJV

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

The Master had compassion.

God has compassion and takes the initiative in our salvation.

Compassion!

He went out with the Green Jacket. He had not earned it or paid for it.

Slide

The Green Jacket.

He had exclusive membership of the club of the forgiven

We are all bankrupt and without hope before God without Jesus.

Do you like Golf?

We leave with the robe of righteousness, Christ righteousness when we understand our poverty and cast all our hope for salvation on Jesus.

Is this picture one of the greatest sporting come back stories in many years?

Tiger

He is known simply as Tiger.

Tiger Woods

This is him winning the Masters in April of this year.

Wearing that famous green jacket and netting some $11m for a few days works.

It was the comeback story of all comebacks.

After his life spiralled out of control and his marriage broke up.

America loves comeback stories.

The Lord loves comeback stories.

The Masters

The Masters is the preeminent golfing event of the year.

Itis played at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, in the USA.

Our son is about to be posted near to it.

To be a member of this Golfing establishment is only reserved for a very select few.

There are two ways you become a member.

Win the Masters and get a green jacket. What are your chances?

What are your chances?

Or Pay allot of money. But even by paying allot of money there is such a long waiting list, it will not happen in your life time.

That is how prestigious is the wearing of the Green Jacket.

The Robe of Righteousness

This picture of jewels and adorning is the putting on of the rightness of Christ.

Slide

It is my belief that this message is desperately needed in the Adventist Church today

In , we read

Where works and knowledge have been over emphasised to the minimisation of grace and belonging.

For you adventist historians out there, we need to get back to the 1888 message of salvation by grace alone.

There seems to be a line of thought today that implies maturity is associated with moving on from the message of salvation and the gospel to other deeper things.

Isaiah 61:10 NKJV

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

I do not think so, the gospel should be main, plain and centre in all things.

If the Gospel is not at the centre of all our doctroine,

The Robe of Righteousness. The forgiveness of 10,000 talents or an immeasurable debt.

In we read,

Slide

Rev

Revelation 7:9–10 NKJV

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

The White Robes. The forgiveness of 10,000 talents or an immeasurable debt.

Slide Blank

Forgive, as you have been Forgiven.

This is one of those Parables that in some ways you wish it just ended here!

After the Master forgives the servant’s immeasurable debt, and sends him away in peace.

. 

But it does not!

Pause. Emphasis.

Every credit is in fact a debit. Our debits are debits.  Unless we are in denial. 

But it does not.

And what happens next is sobering and a warning to us all.

The servant is owed money, some 100 denarii.

Augustus. Green Jacket. Robe of righteousness. 

The equivalent of about 100 days of work.

Approx 3 months of Work.

It is minuscule compared to what the Servant had owed.

A needle in the haystack, compared to what he owed and had been forgiven.

Remember what we said at the beginning,

Greatness is measured in the Kingdom of God by simple Child like trust and obedience to God, combined with love forgiveness towards others, because we have been forgiven so much.

Jesus is not trivialising, he is trying to give us better perspective on life.

Jesus is also emphasising the Importance of a right relationship with God as first import (the 10,000 talents). That will then flow into all other relationships (the 100 denarii).

The servant failed this test miserably.

His unforgiving spirit, his lack of compassion, is a warning to us all.

He has deliberately

There is always one more fact about a person we do not know.

Relationships gone wrong

It is not my intention today to minimise what has happened to any person.

Jesus is not trivialising offences against us, by comparing 10000 talents to 100 denarii, rather he is trying to give better perspective on life.

Jesus is also emphasising the Importance of a right relationship with God as first import (the 10,000 talents).

That will then flow into all other relationships (the 100 denarii).

We are relational people.

It is unfortunate that relationships that are meant for our mutual benefit, can hurt us so very deeply.

We live in the armpit of the Universe.

Sin infested and Sin dominated.

But even in the armpit of the universe, the bible warns us against the root of bitterness,

Because it can start to ruin everything in our lives.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not necessarily forgetting or even not hurting.

That may happen over time, it may never happen. It will hopefully become less and less over time.

Forgiveness is not necessarily reconciliation with that person.

I consider all a loss ....

That may be possible in this life time, it may not.

Look at Jesus on the cross forgiving those who knew not what they did.

Forgiveness is not necessarily understanding.

We may be left in total confusion.

But Forgiveness is about intentionally in our minds and in our actions not treating a person as they deserve, but treating them as God treats us and how we would want to be treated.

That is sanctified thinking and sanctified actions.

That is forgiveness

And sometimes that is really, really difficult !

Lake Tahoe

I have told you of this already.

Some years back I came to a cross roads in my life.

I went away for a couple of days, alone, with the permission of my wife, to a place called Lake Tahoe.

I stayed in a room overlooking the lake.

I spent the time in prayer and soaking up the bible .

The Lord led me to the Beatitudes in .

“Blessed are ....”

I wrote down 4 statements during that time.

I go back to them nearly every day.

I don’t think I would be here today, in front of you “good” folds if I had not taken that time.

Slide

The first statement I wrote down is on the slide.

Forgive, as you have been Forgiven

I think it all starts with that.

Forgiveness. And in one sense, it all ends with that as well.

Forgiveness.

And in one sense, it also all ends with that.

Forgiveness

Forgiving others helps us to accept the forgiveness of God in our own lives.

To intentionally not treat them as they deserve

Jesus is not trivialising, he is trying to give us better perspective on life.

Having compassion for others helps us to accept the compassion God has for us.

Jesus is also emphasising the Importance of a right relationship with God as first import (the 10,000 talents). That will then flow into all other relationships (the 100 denarii).

That is the inter-relationship between the 10,000 talents and the 100 denarii.

They are interrelated.

Communion

We will celebrate communion today.

I cannot think of a better Parable before communion.

It is all about forgiveness and intentionally treating others as God treats us.

I assure you I did not plan it that way, many months ago when the preaching plan was put together.

But The Lord knew.

Prayer

Slide

Foot Washing

Children forgive quickly.

Haver you watched little children playing together?

It can be very amusing to watch.

It is going so well, and then..

“Its mine, not its mine”

Children can have terrible rows.

“Its mine, not its mine”

They run to their parents, “Mum, look what so and so did to me...”

But Children do not hold grudges

Children forgive quickly.

Children do not hold grudges

Children are a model for us in this matter of forgiveness.