1. Mercy, Forgiveness The Unforgiving Servant The Creditor and Debtors The Barren Fig Tree

2. The Unforgiving Servant Matthew 18:21-35 The Greater Debt: Vs. 22-27 The Greater Debt: Vs. 22-27 Man’s debt to God is great indeed. Man’s debt to God is great indeed. 10,000 talents =~$50,000,000 10,000 talents =~$50,000,000 The Lesser Debt: Vs. 28-30 The Lesser Debt: Vs. 28-30 One man’s sin against another is next to nothing. One man’s sin against another is next to nothing. $20 compared to $50 mil. $20 compared to $50 mil. Forgive as you have been forgiven: vs. 31-35. Forgive as you have been forgiven: vs. 31-35. “have compassion on your fellow servant” (vs. 33). “have compassion on your fellow servant” (vs. 33). “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12, 14). “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12, 14).

3. The Creditor and Debtors Luke 7:41-48 Two Debtors: vs. 41-42 Two Debtors: vs. 41-42 Jesus is contrasting the sinner with the Pharisee. Jesus is contrasting the sinner with the Pharisee. In the mind of the Pharisee, the sinner had the greater debt. In the mind of the Pharisee, the sinner had the greater debt. Greater Appreciation: vs. 43-47 Greater Appreciation: vs. 43-47 Because the woman had the greater debt, she showed greater appreciation. Because the woman had the greater debt, she showed greater appreciation. Putting self into perspective Putting self into perspective Both people had the same amount of debt Both people had the same amount of debt The woman acknowledge hers while the Pharisee would not. The woman acknowledge hers while the Pharisee would not. We must learn to see ourselves from the proper prospective. We must learn to see ourselves from the proper prospective.

4. The Barren Fig Tree Luke 13:6-9 The Barren Tree: vs. 6-7 The Barren Tree: vs. 6-7 There are some in the kingdom who are not bearing fruit. There are some in the kingdom who are not bearing fruit. Waiting for change: vs. 8 Waiting for change: vs. 8 Through Christ we are given the gift of time. Through Christ we are given the gift of time. We have but a few moments to start working. We have but a few moments to start working. 2 Pet. 3:9: God is longsuffering. 2 Pet. 3:9: God is longsuffering. Limited patience: vs. 9 Limited patience: vs. 9 God is seeking opportunity to forgive us, we should also seek opportunity to forgive others. God is seeking opportunity to forgive us, we should also seek opportunity to forgive others. We only have a limited amount of time. We only have a limited amount of time.

5. Conclusion If we want to be forgiven, we must be forgiving. If we want to be forgiven, we must be forgiving. If we want forgiveness, we must use the time we have to start bearing fruit. If we want forgiveness, we must use the time we have to start bearing fruit. Like God, we must have patience to endure, till it is time for all men to settle accounts. Like God, we must have patience to endure, till it is time for all men to settle accounts.