Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 12 July 2020

TEXT: Matthew 18:21-35

INTRODUCTION

1. The subject of “Forgiveness”

a) Divine forgiveness

We read about how God is able to forgive our sins (Psalm 32:1-2; 1 John 1:9)

i) It is in the nature of God to forgive sins

ii) He is gracious, merciful, compassionate

b) Human forgiveness

i) Not so easy to exercise forgiveness

ii) We do not have it within us to exercise forgiveness easily

2. Forgiveness is an important quality to cultivate

a) It is taught by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 6:14-15)

b) It was encouraged (Colossians 3:13)

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION RAISED

1. It was Peter who raised the subject of Forgiveness to the Lord Jesus Christ

Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
Up to seven times?    Matthew 18:21

2. The reply of the Lord Jesus to Peter

I do not say up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.    Matthew 18:22

THE PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

Matthew 18:23-35

1. First part of the Parable

a) A king finds that one of his servants owed him 10,000 talents

 In our currency (Millions)

b) His servant was unable to pay this debt

c) The king ordered:

i) The servant is to be sold

ii) His wife too

iii) His children

iv) All his property would be sold off too

d) The servant’s response

i) He fell down before the king (prostration)

ii) He asked for patience

iii) He promised to pay his debt 

e) The king’s response

i) He was moved with compassion

ii) He released him

iii) He forgave him the debt

2. The second part of the Parable

a) The servant went out and found a fellow-servant

b) This servant owed him 100 denarii

c) The response of the servant

i) Laid hold of him

ii) Took him by the throat

iii) He demanded payment

d) He responded aggressively 

Far differently from the treatment he received from the king

e) The indebted fellow-servant

i) He fell at his feet

ii) He begged him

iii) He asked for patience

iv) He would pay his debt fully

f) The unforgiving servant

i) He would not listen

ii) He put his fellow-servant in jail

iii) Until he could pay his debt

3. The third part of the Parable

a) The other servants of the King

b) They were aggrieved

c) They reported the matter to the king

4. The fourth part of the Parable

a) The King called his servant

b) He addressed him firmly

i) You wicked servant

ii) I forgave you all that debt because you begged me

iii) Should you not also have compassion on your fellow-servant
just as I had pity on you?

c) The anger of the King

i) And his master was angry

ii) And delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him

THE MAIN LESSON OF THIS PARABLE

So My heavenly Father also will do to you
If each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother’s trespasses. Matthew 18:35

APPLICATION OF THE LESSON ON FORGIVENESS

1. Forgiveness must be practised

2. Forgiveness must first be fully understood:

a) The degree to which we are indebted to God

i) Forgiveness of the multitude of our sins

ii) Incalculable amount

b) God’s forgiveness must be fathomed:

i) Heart

ii) Mind

iii) Soul

iv) All the implications

3. Understanding of Forgiveness 

a) To be measured by our response to people

b) To be measured by our ability to forgive others

4. How Forgiveness may be practised:

a) Out of compassion

b) Out of pity

c) Out of the heart

5. Vital Truths to remember and bear in mind:

a) What God can do to us if we do not practise forgiveness

i) If we do not forgive

ii) How may we expect forgiveness?

b) God reserves the right:

i) To withhold forgiveness

ii) To judge our sins 

iii) To mete out consequences

WHY WE FIND IT SO HARD TO FORGIVE

1. Anger in the heart

2. A hardened heart

3. A prideful heart

4. An unforgiving heart