the secret of forgiveness. matthew 18:21-22 then peter came to jesus and asked, “lord, how many...

THE SECRET OF THE SECRET OF FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS

Matthew 18:21-22Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.seven times, but seventy-seven times.


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


But when that servant went out, he found one of But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. into prison until he could pay the debt.


When the other servants saw what had happened, When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”your heart.”

I. What was the Situation? I. What was the Situation? - v21-22 - v21-22

A. Asking for forgiveness is implied A. Asking for forgiveness is implied here.here.


Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.seven times, but seventy-seven times.

I. What was the Situation? I. What was the Situation?


1. This question may have been 1. This question may have been in response to . . .in response to . . .

So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive himif he repents, forgive him..

Luke 17:3-4Luke 17:3-4



2. What did Peter have in mind?2. What did Peter have in mind?

7 times a day.7 times a day.



2. What did Peter have in mind?2. What did Peter have in mind?

3 times a day.3 times a day.

(The Talmud)(The Talmud)



2. What did Peter have in mind?2. What did Peter have in mind?““I tell you, not seven times, but I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-sevenseventy-seven

times. - v22times. - v22

(Literally 70 X 7 = 490 times a day)(Literally 70 X 7 = 490 times a day)

Unlimited forgiveness!Unlimited forgiveness!


B. Is unconditional forgiveness B. Is unconditional forgiveness emotionally possible?emotionally possible?


B. Is unconditional forgiveness B. Is unconditional forgiveness emotionally possible?emotionally possible?

Yes! - through theYes! - through thepower of the Holy Spirit!power of the Holy Spirit!


C. The secret is related to theC. The secret is related to thePride vs. Humbleness Pride vs. Humbleness issue.issue.



1. Peter’s question was legalistic.1. Peter’s question was legalistic.



2. This question rose from self 2. This question rose from self righteousness.righteousness.

““Lord, how many times shall I forgive my Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother brother when he sins against mewhen he sins against me? - v21? - v21





Luke 18:9-14Luke 18:9-14





How can I be reconciled to a brother How can I be reconciled to a brother I have I have sinned againstsinned against!!


D. What is the Lord’s answer?D. What is the Lord’s answer?

The Golden Rule!The Golden Rule!



1. We all fall short of God’s 1. We all fall short of God’s standardsstandards..

Romans 3:23 - . . . for all have sinned and Romans 3:23 - . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . .fall short of the glory of God . . .



1. We all fall short of God’s 1. We all fall short of God’s standardsstandards..

Romans 3:23 - . . . for all have sinned and Romans 3:23 - . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . .fall short of the glory of God . . .

How often would you want God to How often would you want God to forgive you?forgive you?

7 times? - 490 times?7 times? - 490 times?



2. What are the consequences of 2. What are the consequences of this type of forgiveness?this type of forgiveness?




Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive men when Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive men when they sin against you, they sin against you, your heavenly Father your heavenly Father will also forgive youwill also forgive you. But if you do not . But if you do not forgive men their sins, forgive men their sins, your Father will not your Father will not forgive your sinsforgive your sins..




Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. against one another. Forgive as the Lord Forgive as the Lord forgave youforgave you..



II. What is the Right Attitude About II. What is the Right Attitude About Forgiveness? Forgiveness? - v23-27- v23-27

A. The Reckoning.A. The Reckoning.““Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a

king who wanted to settle accounts with his king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. - v23-25sold to repay the debt. - v23-25

II. II. What is the Right Attitude About Forgiveness?What is the Right Attitude About Forgiveness?


king who wanted to settle accounts with his king who wanted to settle accounts with his servantsservants. As he began the settlement, a . As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, to pay, the masterthe master ordered that he and his ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. - v23-25sold to repay the debt. - v23-25

1. These servants were the king’s 1. These servants were the king’s stewards.stewards.



king who wanted to settle accounts with his king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him man who owed him ten thousand talentsten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. - v23-25sold to repay the debt. - v23-25

2. Amount owed = 60 million 2. Amount owed = 60 million denarii.denarii.


A. The Reckoning.A. The Reckoning.““Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king

who wanted to settle accounts with his who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had his children and all that he had be soldbe sold to to repay the debt. - v23-25repay the debt. - v23-25

3. 3. SoldSold ( (πιπράσκωπιπράσκω) = carried ) = carried across the sea to sell (slaves).across the sea to sell (slaves).


B. The Reaction.B. The Reaction.The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be

patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ - v26back everything.’ - v26


C. The Response.C. The Response.The servant’s master took pity on him, The servant’s master took pity on him,

canceled the debt and let him go. . . v27canceled the debt and let him go. . . v27


C. The Response.C. The Response.The servant’s master The servant’s master took pitytook pity on him, on him,

canceled the debt and let him go . . . v27canceled the debt and let him go . . . v27

1. 1. Took pity Took pity ((σπλαγχνίζομαισπλαγχνίζομαι) = ) = compassion, he was so compassion, he was so overcome it made him sick.overcome it made him sick.



canceled the debt and let him gocanceled the debt and let him go . . . v27 . . . v27

2. 2. The final decisionThe final decision: the king : the king suspended the sentence & suspended the sentence & pardoned the debt in full.pardoned the debt in full.




III. What is the Wrong Attitude III. What is the Wrong Attitude About Forgiveness? About Forgiveness? - v28-35- v28-35

A. The Reckoning.A. The Reckoning.But when that servant went out, he found one But when that servant went out, he found one

of his fellow servants who owed him a of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. - v28owe me!’ he demanded. - v28

III. III. What is the Wrong Attitude About Forgiveness?What is the Wrong Attitude About Forgiveness?


of his fellow servants who owed him a of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. hundred denarii. He grabbed him and He grabbed him and began to choke himbegan to choke him. ‘Pay back what you . ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. - v28owe me!’ he demanded. - v28

1. The king commanded - the 1. The king commanded - the steward grabbed by the throat.steward grabbed by the throat.



of his fellow servants who owed him a of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denariihundred denarii. He grabbed him and . He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. - v28owe me!’ he demanded. - v28

2. Amount owed = 100 denarii.2. Amount owed = 100 denarii.


B. The Reaction.B. The Reaction.His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged

him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ - v29back.’ - v29




1. An identical response except 1. An identical response except the the word “all” was not used.word “all” was not used.




1. An identical response except 1. An identical response except the the word “all” was not used.word “all” was not used.

2. This servant didn’t promised 2. This servant didn’t promised what he couldn’t deliver!what he couldn’t deliver!



canceled the debt and let him go . . . But he canceled the debt and let him go . . . But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. - v27 & 30the debt. - v27 & 30



canceled the debt and let him gocanceled the debt and let him go . . . But he . . . But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. - v27 & 30the debt. - v27 & 30

1. 1. 11stst response response: suspended the : suspended the sentence & pardoned his debt.sentence & pardoned his debt.



canceled the debt and let him go . . . But he canceled the debt and let him go . . . But he refused. Instead, he went off and refused. Instead, he went off and had the had the man thrown into prisonman thrown into prison until he could pay until he could pay the debt. - v27 & 30the debt. - v27 & 30

2. 2. 22ndnd response response: dragged him by : dragged him by the throat & threw him into the throat & threw him into debtor’s prison.debtor’s prison.


C. The Response.C. The Response.Then the master called the servant in. ‘You Then the master called the servant in. ‘You

wicked servant,’ he said, ‘wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on youfellow servant just as I had on you?’ In ?’ In anger his master turned him over to the anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. back all he owed.

3. 3. 33rdrd response response: notice how the : notice how the king felt!king felt!




III. What is the Wrong Attitude III. What is the Wrong Attitude About Forgiveness? About Forgiveness? - v28-35- v28-35

IV. The Message of This Parable.IV. The Message of This Parable.

A. God wants you to be like the king.A. God wants you to be like the king.

IV. IV. The Message of This Parable.The Message of This Parable.

B. One of God’s purposes for you is B. One of God’s purposes for you is to be a carbon copy of Him!to be a carbon copy of Him!

Genesis 1:26-27 - Then God said, “Genesis 1:26-27 - Then God said, “Let us make Let us make man in our image, in our likenessman in our image, in our likeness, and let , and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” move along the ground.” So God created So God created man in his own image, in the image of God man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created he created him; male and female he created themthem. .


C. God wants His light to shine C. God wants His light to shine through your attitudes so He can through your attitudes so He can be honored through you!be honored through you!

Matthew 5:16 - . . . Matthew 5:16 - . . . let your light shine before let your light shine before menmen, that they may see your good deeds , that they may see your good deeds and and praise your Father in heavenpraise your Father in heaven..


Honor God by forgiving others asHonor God by forgiving others asHe was willing to forgive you!He was willing to forgive you!

the secret of forgiveness. matthew 18:21-22 then peter came to jesus and asked, “lord, how many...

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