Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 9 June 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 18

Subject: Parable of the Unforgiving servant”

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Matthew 18:21-35

THE QUESTION OF FORGIVENESS OF SINS

1. Peter’s question

“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Matthew 18:21

a) How often may forgiveness be offered?

b) Seven times?

2. The Lord’s answer

“Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Matthew 18:22

a) Seven times and more

b) “Up to seventy times seven”

c) Meaning: Always

THE PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

1. This servant owed the king

a) 10, 000 talents

b) More than $12 million

c) An impossible debt for the servant to pay

2. First decision of the king

a) To sell the servant

b) His wife

c) His servant

d) All that he possessed

3. The Plea of the servant

a) He asked for patience (time)

b) He will pay all he owed (Impossible)

4. The Second Decision of the king

a) He was moved with compassion (pity)

b) He released him

c) Forgave the whole debt

5. The Unforgiving servant

a) He sought out a friend who owed him 100 denarii

b) He demanded payment

c) His fellow-servant begged for time and patience

d) He will repay what he owed

e) This plea fell on deaf ears

f) His friend went to jail

6. A report to the king

a) Fellow-servants knew what the unforgiving servant did

b) They made a report to the king

7. The King’s third and final decision

32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

Matthew 18:32-34

a) A rebuke was given

“You wicked servant!”

b) A comment was made

i) He was forgiven of so much more

ii) He should have forgiven his friend’s small debt

c) A judgment was made

i) He would be remanded in jail

ii) Until he has paid his full debt to the king

LESSONS THE LORD JESUS TAUGHT

1. Remembering the forgiveness of our sins

a) We must never forget how the Lord forgave our sins

b) Forgiveness ought to be life-changing

2. Practising Forgiveness

a) It is not an easy lesson to learn

b) It is hard to practise this

c) This is something we must consciously attempt

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Colossians 3:13