Matthew 18:21-35
Preached Sunday Morning, March 1, 2009
Introduction:
How often must we forgive our erring brother, seven times? Peter thought that he had come up with a generous number. After all, sometimes people apologize and don’t even mean it. Sometimes someone quickly quips the words “I’m sorry” and then turns around to commit the same offense over and over again!
Bitterness grows as an unseen malignant root in the life of a Christian. This bitterness is created when we harbor unforgiveness. Jesus answers Peter’s question with an astonishing response: It is not seven times, but seventy times seven. Now this does not mean that after 490 offences that we are off the hook. Jesus is using this expression to show us that we are always to forgive. If someone asks for forgiveness, we grant it. If they do not, we forgive anyway. If they mean it, we forgive. If they are insincere and repetitive in their offenses, we forgive.
To many people, this may seem like an unreasonable standard to meet. This is why Jesus gave us this parable. Tonight we will study a picture of just how hypocritical it is when we, as Christians, do not forgive.
I. You have been shown great mercy
A. The symbols of this parable:
Matthew 18:23 – Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
1. The king = God the Father
2. A certain servant = a believer
3. Fellow servant = another believer
B. The servant owed a great deal to the Master
Matthew 18:24 – And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
1. The servant owed 10,000 talents
2. In our sinful state we owed everything to God
Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 4:4 – Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
C. Judgment was about to be executed upon the servant
Matthew 18:25 – But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
1. The servant would be imprisoned until he could pay
2. Once in prison the servant could no longer work, so he could never pay. The situation would be hopeless and irreversible
3. We owe death for our sin
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
4. The second death is final, our situation would be hopeless and irreversible
D. Justice was replaced with mercy
Matthew 18:26-27 – 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
1. The servant worshipped
2. The servant cried for mercy
3. The servant promised to pay
4. The master was moved by compassion
5. The master erased the debt
6. Our sin debt was erased when we came to Jesus
Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
II. You show no mercy to your fellow servants
A. The fellow servant owed much less than the wicked servant did
Matthew 18:28 – But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
1. One hundred pence
2. Whatever the offence committed against us, it is much less than what we have committed against God
B. The wicked servant turned malicious
1. Beyond even what was just
2. It became personal
3. It became vicious
a. Laid hands upon him
b. Held him by the throat
C. The fellow servant begged for mercy
Matthew 18:29 – And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
1. Humbled – even though they were really equals
2. Offered to pay all
3. Since the servant was forgiven the 10,000 talent debt, he could afford to forgive a 100 pence debt
D. The wicked servant showed no mercy
Matthew 18:30 – And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
1. Placed him in prison
2. Put his fellow servant in a hopeless state
3. The wicked servant gained nothing except personal vengeance through this action. He would not get his money back.
III. You will receive mercy no longer
A. Fellow servants brought the wicked servant to the master
Matthew 18:31 – So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
1. Your actions toward another brother are seen by many
2. Some can call your unforgiveness to God’s attention
B. God hates the sin of unforgiveness
1. Because of His example of forgiveness
Matthew 18:32-33 – 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
2. He will deliver you to the tormentors
Matthew 18:34 – And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
a. Chastisement
b. Guilt
c. Loneliness
d. Bitterness
Hebrews 12:14-15
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
e. Anger
f. Envy
Ephesians 4:30-32
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
3. God will not grant practical forgiveness and restoration if you do not forgive those who wrong you
Matthew 18:35 – So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.