The Servant as a Forgiver
Series: Servant Make me Servant
May 17, 2023
Michael Boyd
LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOU TUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live Matthew 18:21-35 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[a] 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[b] 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant[c] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[d] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ Matthew 18:21-35 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[e] until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Episode Notes
FORGIVENESS
The disciple’s question – “What’s the limit we should place on forgiveness?”
Both Sides of Forgiveness
Jesus’ response – “Seventy times seven!”
Reasons to forgive.
To refuse to forgive is hypocritical.
To refuse to forgive places us in the position of a judge and activates the law of “sowing and reaping”.
II. How do you make it happen?
First, focus fully on God’s forgiveness of you. Psalms 103 Personalize it! Make the you and your, me and mine.
Don’t hurry through it, but think of how vast and extensive His forgiveness of us truly is.
To the extent you can see and accept God’s forgiveness of you, to the same measure you will be given the capacity to forgive others.
Four Steps to Total Forgiveness
Lord, I forgive…
Lord, I release them
Lord, I want you to forgive & release them
Here’s my hurts…
B. Deal directly and honestly with any resentment you currently hold against anyone.
A hard thing to do? Think of the alternative:
Torturing, agonizing feelings.
Churning emotions.
A wasted life.
C. Forgiveness is the process God takes us through to heal inner wounds.
D. You say, “I will forgive but I cannot (will not) forget!”
Conditional forgiveness is like conditional love – it is not forgiveness at all!
Through forgiving God heals the wounds; through forgetting God removes the scars.
True forgiveness involves total acceptance; and out of acceptance, wounds are healed and happiness is possible again.
Huss Shearer – ALC/Dayton, Ohio 1989
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