Matthew 18: Forgiving Like the King

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

The king decided to cancel the debt on his own The servant never asked to have the debt cancelled “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

Proactive: Pro – Ahead of, before Active – an action takes place

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:34 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins. Colossians 2:13

Turning around, Jesus saw them [Andrew and John] following and asked, “what do you want?” John 1:37-38 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

The king showed the servant mercy The servant’s master took pity on him,

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins. Colossians 2:13 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

Like Love – Forgiveness is a process in our heart which focuses on someone else X Forgiveness Forgiveness? Response Shows our love for them Shows we love ourselves

The king canceled the debt—no more is owed [The king] canceled the debt and let him go.

With forgiveness, you have to give up the right to be angry or hurt Canceled means “canceled”—like it never was

Forgive: to give up resentment of, or to give up a claim to requital for Old English – Forgeifan: to completely grant translation of Latin – perdonare (pardon) Forget: to lose the remembrance of

Forgive Forget

In those days, at that time,” declares the LORD, “search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare. Jeremiah 50:20 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12

The king sought to “settle accounts” – Why? The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.

Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law Romans 13:8 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed with excessive sorrow. 2 Corinthians 2:6-7

Forgiveness is a process—not a state of being Forgiveness

Enoch – walked with God Genesis 5:24 Noah – walked with God Genesis 6:9 Job – my intercessor is my Friend Job 16:20 Abraham – called God’s friend James 2:23 Moses – spoke to God as a man speaks to his friend Exodus 33:11 David – a man after God’s own heart 1 Samuel 13:14 The Apostles – Jesus called them friends John 15:15

David was so concerned with offending God that he prayed for sins that he might have committed without knowing Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:12-14

Ignorance = not knowing Forgive my hidden faults. Evil Intent = deliberate transgression Keep your servant also from willful sins... Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. Psalm 19:12-14

Does not mean that everything needs to be the “same” as it was Does not mean that “they” were “right” and that “you” were “wrong” It does mean the transgression is not “carried forward”

The closer we get to God, the closer we get together Have we prayed for their relationship with God? Do you look forward to greeting them in Heaven? Do you look forward to them greeting you? God us them

Why was the king able to forgive the servant? Because he could?

" A man can receive only what is given him from Heaven" John 3:27 Don’t be deceived my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights... James 1:16-17

We cannot pay for our sin to bring us back into a right relationship with God. Jesus has already paid the price! Trying to pay for our sin with servitude instead of accepting Jesus’ sacrifice for us is like Simon the Sorcerer trying to buy the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God!” Acts 8:20

For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Psalm 25:11 Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. Psalm 79:9 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 1 John 2:12

When children are young, they imitate their parents As God’s children, when we forgive, we imitate Him.

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:9-15 Father forgive us as we have forgiven others? - Amen? or Oh Me?

True Forgiveness... We all want it... We need to give it! Forgiveness is proactive Forgiveness is an act of love Forgiveness is complete Forgiveness restores relationships Forgiveness comes from God Forgive Like the King!