Matthew 18:23-35

Matthew 18:23–35 NIV84

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

The number one evidence of being a Christian is the ability to forgive.

What is the difference between the first debt and the second debt?

The second debt is one six-thousandth of the first debt.

The second debt was just a few dollars while the first debt was millions.

R.T. France wrote: “If the church is the community of the forgiven, then all its relationships will be marked by a forgiveness which is not a mere form of words but an essential characteristic.”

Unforgiveness is the opposite of Colossians 3:12-15:

Colossians 3:12–15 NIV84

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

The debt was incalcuable. Could it have ever been repaid?

Probably not. The first servant did not want to forgive even though his debt was paid in full.

Yet, he chose to be stuck in his spiritual walk by not forgiving.

If you are stuck in your spiritual walk, is there someone that you will not forgive?

Why do you think Jesus taught us to pray “Forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Matthew 6:14–15 NIV84

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Questions to consider:

Why do you think the Bible is so descriptive about the first debtor choking the second debtor?

Which person was truly imprisoned?

What happened to the first debtor?

Matthew Applications

APPLICATIONS

• Accept from God the free gift of salvation.

• Take radical action to prevent sin and avoid God’s judgment.

• Do not look down pridefully and disdainfully on any believer.

• Forgive one another, as the Father has forgiven you.

• Show mercy toward fellow believers, not judgment.

IV. LIFE APPLICATION

That God May Be Exalted

In the heart of London is the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Its pulpit was once occupied by the famous preacher, Charles Spurgeon. Along the walls of the pastor’s study hang portraits of the pastors who have faithfully served the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Most served long tours of duty.

Spurgeon’s time as pastor coincided with some interesting historical events. He opened the Tabernacle the same year the American Civil War began. During Spurgeon’s ministry, Karl Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto and Charles Darwin his Origin of Species. But Spurgeon was a bold preacher and did not retreat when his preaching led to controversy. He was also a colorful character. Once reprimanded by a colleague for his cigar smoking, Spurgeon countered, “If I ever find myself smoking to excess, I promise I shall quit entirely.”

“What would you call smoking to excess?” the man asked.

“Why, smoking two cigars at the same time!” was Spurgeon’s answer.

Used mightily of God, Charles Spurgeon preached to thousands in London each Sunday and was known for his numerous books of sermons. Yet his ministry had a humble beginning. He started by passing out tracts and teaching a Sunday school class as a teenager. He would also give short addresses to the Sunday school. When he was invited to preach in obscure places in the countryside, he used every opportunity to serve God. He was faithful in the small things, and God trusted him with the greater things.

“I am perfectly sure,” he said, “that, if I had not been willing to preach to those small gatherings of people in obscure country places, I should never have had the privilege of preaching to thousands of men and women in large buildings all over the land.”

Like Spurgeon, the follower of Christ must learn humility. It was the way of Jesus, and should be evident in his followers. He must always give the glory to God for what he accomplishes in our lives. However small or humble the task or job, we should faithfully perform it. Faithfulness in seemingly small things is only preparation for the larger opportunities God has waiting for us. We would all do well to remember our Lord’s rule, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12).

V. PRAYER

Merciful and gracious Father, forgive my grudging attitude toward those who have wronged me. As you have forgiven my debt of sin, help me to be merciful and forgiving toward other people. Amen.

VI. DEEPER DISCOVERIES

A. Highlighted Values

Three themes are woven throughout this discourse on the ethics of Christian personal relationships—humility, purity, and mercy. These three values are critical to a healthy church community. Throughout the discourse, Jesus taught principles of healthy relationships within the church. Humility, purity, and mercy support and guide these healthy relationships. Jesus had announced the founding and building of his church (16:18). Now he instructed its members on how to treat one another, especially when a member strays or sins.

Humility is especially evident in 18:1–4, 21–35. Just as a child’s faith is one of dependency and trust, so we are to imitate this mature attitude toward our Father. And as one debtor to another, we are to recognize our own forgiven status in our dealings with those who offend us.

Purity stands out in 18:5–9, 15–20, 32–35. This refers not only to individual purity, but to the purification of the body as a whole. This is necessary when Christian brothers or sisters continue to spread corruption. Jesus was concerned for the restoration of the individual, but sometimes this value must be weighed against potential damage to the family by continued rebellion in our midst.

Mercy is highlighted in 18:10–35. Confronting a believer who is on a self-destructive path is a merciful act, if it is done in the right spirit.

These values interrelate with each other beautifully:

• Mercy flows out of humility. Pride causes us to look down on others and to fail to see their need. Pride is centered on a person’s own needs and wants. Only a humble person can look beyond self to see the needs of others.

• Mercy is also the balance to purity. Neither negates the other. Both must coexist. Mercy without purity is permissiveness. Purity without mercy is rigid self-righteousness.