The Church is a Forgiving Community (Matthew 18:21-35)
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Sermon Title: The Church is a Forgiving Community
Sermon Text: Matthew 18:21-35
Scripture reading: Matthew 18:21-35
Sermon outline:
MAIN IDEA: Jesus’ parable illustrates FIVE VIEWPOINTS you must maintain in order to be a blessed and merciful member of God’s forgiving community.
1. DESIRE to UNDERSTAND how live in this forgiving community (18:21-22)
2. Remember your own UNPAYABLE debt of SIN to the KING (18:23-25)
3. Cherish God’s COMPASSION, which RELEASED you from that debt (18:26-27)
4. Imitate the PATIENCE, COMPASSION, and MERCY of your king (18:28-33)
5. Hear the WARNING about God’s CHASTENING if you don’t forgive (18:34-35)
Questions for Home Fellowship:
1. Can you think of was that we may fall into the error of Peter--imagining we are much better than we really are at understanding and fulfilling God's will for our lives (it could be in regard to forgiveness, or perhaps another matter [like truth-telling, etc.]).
2. Because of our pride and sinfulness, we have a fundamental difficulty conceiving of our sin-debt as seriously as it really is [WAS! - PTL]. What do you think is characteristic of saints in the past who grasp this poverty of spirit and spiritual bankruptcy before God? How can we foster it, and mature in our thinking, without falling into the trap of wallowing in guilt?
3. What other passages of Scripture speak of God's patience toward us? His compassion? His mercy? His willingness to forgive, and the sacrifice made to make it possible? Simply read and meditate on them, as a means of "cherishing them" as we were reminded we should.
4. How is our own subtle lack of forgiveness manifested (anger, bitterness, grudges, etc.)? As a searching, personal question, has the Holy Spirit used this passage/topic to reveal any relationships or situations where you have failed to imitate the patience, compassion and mercy of Christ, your forgiving King? What steps do you need to take to remedy and reconcile with others?
5. Have you ever experienced God's chastening for failing to forgive others? Would it be appropriate to share (without names/circumstances) in a way that will edify and encourage others?
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Matthew 18:21-35
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 times seven.
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. 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. 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.” (ESV)