Unpopular view of Forgiveness in the Kingdom.
We are not naïve, as if the Kingdom is fully here AND not hopeless, as if the Kingdom has not already begun.
Already, Not Yet.
Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is about KING, forming a people, to live under His REIGN.
Matthew 18:21-22
�21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 18:23-35
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 18:23-35
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.
Matthew 18:23-35
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.”
Big Idea:
In the kingdom of God, our ability to forgive flows from the limitless forgiveness we have experienced, and our desire, ability, and eagerness to forgive far exceeds the wrong done to us.
He knows it.
BUT!
what about...
Summary of Parable:
Matthew 18:23-35
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.
Jesus tells us, God will treat us just as the Master dealt with the first servant if we don’t forgive others as God has forgiven us.
Matthew 18:23-35
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.
Matthew 18:23-35
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.”
RT Kendle, Total Forgiveness.
Ken Sande, The Peacemaker.
Those of us who have been forgiven the eternal debt we had before God, can’t help but forgive others the offenses we have experienced.
Forgives us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Implications: Overcoming Unforgiveness.
1. Reflect on the reality that forgiveness is sometimes hard to live out.
Implications: Overcoming Unforgiveness.
1. Reflect on the reality that forgiveness is sometimes hard to live out.
2. Are you struggling with hurt and directing your mind away from the pain; still carrying a hurt that you have not addressed?
Implications: Overcoming Unforgiveness.
1. Reflect on the reality that forgiveness is sometimes hard to live out.
2. Are you struggling with hurt and directing your mind away from the pain; still carrying a hurt that you have not addressed?
3. If addressing your hurt with someone puts you at further risk, be careful, wise, and discerning.
4. PRAY that God would reveal someone to whom you should apologize.
Implications: Overcoming Unforgiveness.
1. Reflect on the reality that forgiveness is sometimes hard to live out.
2. Are you struggling with hurt and directing your mind away from the pain; still carrying a hurt that you have not addressed?
3. If addressing your hurt with someone puts you at further risk, be careful, wise, and discerning.
4. PRAY that God would reveal someone to whom you should apologize.
5. If someone approaches you about being hurt by you...
Implications: Overcoming Unforgiveness.
1. Reflect on the reality that forgiveness is sometimes hard to live out.
2. Are you struggling with hurt and directing your mind away from the pain; still carrying a hurt that you have not addressed?
3. If addressing your hurt with someone puts you at further risk, be careful, wise, and discerning.
4. PRAY that God would reveal someone to whom you should apologize.
5. If someone approaches you about being hurt by you...
6. Be devoted (all of us) to reflecting the depth of forgiveness we’ve experienced in Jesus, to all those who around us.
Implications: Overcoming Unforgiveness.
We are not naïve, as if the Kingdom is fully here AND not hopeless, as if the Kingdom has not already begun.
Already, Not Yet.