FORGIVE?

Matthew 18:15-35

INTRODUCTION

In Matthew 18 Jesus was teaching two great lessons—how to be great and how to forgive.

The main character in this parable went through three stages in his experience of forgiveness.

  • HE WAS A DEBTOR (vv. 23-27)
  1. APPARENTLY HE HAD BEEN STEALING FROM THE KING
  2. BUT, THIS MAN SEEMED TO THINK THAT SOMEHOW HE COULD GET OUT OF DEBT
  3. HIS CASE WAS HOPELESS, EXCEPT FOR ONE THING

. WHEN IT COMES TO FORGIVING COMPASSION HAS TO BE THERE.

  • HE WAS A CREDITOR (vv. 28-30)
  1. WHEN THE KING FORGAVE HIM HE WENT OUT AND FOUND A FELLOW SERVANT WHO OWED HIM 100 DENARII
  2. THE POINT JESUS IS MAKING IS THAT A MAN WHO HAD BEEN FORGIVEN AN IMPOSSIBLE DEBT WOULD NOT FORGIVE SOMEONE WHO OWED HIM A SMALL AMOUNT

THE WICKED SERVANT HAD RECEIVED FORGIVENESS, BUT HE DID NOT EXPERIENCE FORGIVENESS. KEEP THAT IN MIND

  • HE BECAME A PRISONER (vv. 31-34)
  1. HE MADE A DECISION THAT PUT HIM IN PRISON
  2. THE WORST PRISON IN THE PRISON OF THE UNFORGIVING HEART

CONCLUSION

Have you learned to forgive?