Forgiveness Is Connected to Greatness

Greatness is often misunderstood. It is much more than wealth. It is goes beyond position. It entails much more than a powerful set of skills. It is not the measure of one’s physical strength or mental capacity. It is not the outcome of hard work alone. But, it is the result of the genuineness of one’s character. Those whose character is marked by humility are the greatest in God’s Kingdom. That is the message of Matthew chapter 18. While Jesus is in Capernaum, His disciples raise a question of Him. Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God? They ask this selfish question in response to Peter, James and John being present with Jesus in the mountain in chapter 17:1.

They were looking for Jesus’ kingdom that was prophesied in the Old Testament to be established in His first coming and now they are striving for greatness. What’s amazing is the fact that this is happening the night before His crucifixion.

In response to their question, Jesus calls a child up and uses the child as an example for how those who enter the Kingdom should be. They have to be converted and humbled. That is they have to turn from being prideful, rebellious, and self-sufficient to being humble, obedient and dependent, which is the character of a child. This happens when you are born again.

In this chapter, Jesus shares six essentials that mark the character of greatness.

We must walk in humility. V. 4

We must receive our brothers. V. 5

We must not offend our brothers. V. 6-9

We must not despise our brothers. V. 10-14

We must work to restore our brothers. V. 15-20

We must forgive our brothers. V. 21-35.

This last essential is where we want to focus our attention today.

Every Christian who desires to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven, must be willing to forgive other Christians as many times as needed.

The Question Regarding Forgiveness V. 21

How many times can my brother do wrong to me and I forgive him?

Forgive, Forgiveness is the release, on the part of the creditor or offended party, of any expectation that a debt will be repaid or that an offender will receive punishment for an offense. When describing the removal of an inappropriate offense in this way, the removal does not condone the behavior or suggest approval for the offense.

Forgiveness is the release, on the part of the creditor or offended party, of any expectation that a debt will be repaid or that an offender will receive punishment for an offense. When describing the removal of an inappropriate offense in this way, the removal does not condone the behavior or suggest approval for the offense.

Seven times. Peter put a limit on what he felt was more than enough.

Seven times, Peter put limits on how many times he thought was sufficient.

J. David Stark, “Forgiveness,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).Seven times. Peter put a limit on what he felt was more than enough.

says Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns seven times, saying, I repent, you must forgive him.

That may answer your question today regarding forgiveness.

The Instruction Concerning Forgiveness V. 22

Jesus says not seven

Seve

But seventy-seven times.

This term means seventy multiples of a quantity.

As many times are the person repents, turns away from their wrong.

This means we are to forgive an unlimited number of times.

Forgiveness is to be unlimited.

The Warning Against Not Forgiving V. 23-34

Jesus Parable

A short, vivid fictional story using figurative imagery to teach important truths.

The Forgiveness of the servant

His debt

1 talent is equivalent of 15, 100.00 in silver.

151,000,000.00

His Plea for patience

The Pity of the master

He forgave him, cancelled his entire debt.

The non-forgiveness of the servant

Servants debt

1 denarius is equal to 8.00

His total was 800.00

His Plea

was the same

He seized him

he choked him

through him in jail

Be careful because people are watching how you handle things and will go to God on you!

Jesus Application

All of who profess to be Christians know, God forgives us of great sins and offenses against Him.

If we don’t forgive our brother and sisters who commit small offenses against us, God will stop forgiving us and will not have fellowship with us until we forgive them.

As we strive for greatness on our jobs.

As we strive for greatness in our studies.

As we strive for greatness in our communities.

As we strive for greatness in the church.

Let us not forget that forgiveness is connected to greatness.

So next time somebody offends you in the church

Make sure your forgiving character, supercedes your pride.

Make sure your forgiving character, supercedes your rebellion.

Make sure your forgiving character, supercedes your self sufficiency.

Forgiveness is Connected to Greatness.

I know it is because Jesus death on Calvary proves