So that we may learn...

The Unmerciful Servant

'A look for the citizens of the Kingdom of heaven' This parable teaches us the right attitude that every Christian must have toward others… A very practical parable for everyone this evening and a good way to learn about how we ought to conduct ourselves…

Matthew 18:21-35 21Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25But 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. 26The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27Then 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!' 29So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. 30And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34And 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.“

The Parable and its message! Peter started the whole thing...18:21 For many Jewish rabbis taught that three (3) times was sufficient, they taught that the limit to forgive was only 3 times 3 Jesus taught the opposite

Jesus’ initial response - Matthew 18:22 Is it Literal or Symbolic? 70 x 7 = 490 “Jesus confronts Peter with the truth that the spirit of forgiveness really knows no boundaries.”

Let's see the parable itself Matthew 18:23-27 A King Debtor...

1 talent was equal to 6000 Denarii How much did he OWE? A very LARGE amount? 10,000 Talents 1 talent was equal to 6000 Denarii The man owed him 60,000,000 Denarii

Let's exchange that into US Dollars... A Denarii is equal to approx. 17 cents There are 6000 denarii in a talent: A talent is equal to approx. $1000. He Owed $10,000,000!. Why did he owe SO MUCH?

Judea, Idumea and Samaria, were only 600 Talents per year! The Imperial Taxes of: Judea, Idumea and Samaria, were only 600 Talents per year! Either way, the lord wants His money!!!

Poor of the humans... Hours before... Matt. 18:28-30 As soon as he went out!

Converting 100 Denarii into US Dollars nowadays he owed him about: How much did he owe him? 100 denarii. 600,000 times LESS than what he owed. Converting 100 Denarii into US Dollars nowadays he owed him about: 0.17 c/per day wage x 100 denarii=

An action that bothers the master! Many of us forget what has been forgiven us!!! MATT.18:31-34 Others saw him... And told the master He was humiliating his fellow servant!

You wicked and EVIL servant!! What did the king do? You wicked and EVIL servant!! He placed him in jail and forced him to pay!

THE LESSON OF THE PARABLE... Matthew 18:35 35"So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." Please don't forget this!

We are all God’s debtors Matthew 18:23…23Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. Romans 3:23…For all have sinned and fall short to the glory of God. None are able to pay what is owed Matthew 18:25…25But 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. But by Christ’s atoning sacrifice, the debt is paid Matthew 18:27…27Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

Only those who are willing to forgive others can be assured that they are indeed forgiven. Matthew 18:35…35"So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." It should be easy to forgive others, for what we owe God is infinitely more than what others owe us. Matthew 18:32,33…32Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'

The unforgiving person is destined for everlasting punishment! Matthew 18:34,35…34And 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."

DEVELOPING A FORGIVING SPIRIT FOCUS ON THE FORGIVENESS GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU! Colossians 3:13 Ephesians 4:32

ALLOW THE LORD TO HELP US TO “FORGIVE AND FORGET”... Let's first define FORGET: It is to be unable to remember (something), to treat with thoughtless inattention; neglect: forget one’s family, to leave behind, unintentionally to fail to mention.

Can we forgive and forget? It is the action of forgiving an offense and forgetting it. Joseph - Genesis 41:51 Paul - Philippians 3:13

What kind of a person are you? Can we forgive? What kind of a person are you? Are you this? Or this?

Think about THIS: Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”