IntroductionIntroduction Jesus Taught -Jesus Taught - Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy (Matt 5:7)Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy (Matt 5:7) Jesus prayed, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matt 6:12, Luke 11:4)Jesus prayed, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matt 6:12, Luke 11:4) Importance of extending forgiveness and mercyImportance of extending forgiveness and mercy God will forgives us based on how we forgive othersGod will forgives us based on how we forgive others

IntroductionIntroduction Context of the parable:Context of the parable: Jesus told disciples that the greatest is humble like a child (v. 1-5)Jesus told disciples that the greatest is humble like a child (v. 1-5) Warns of causing offenses (v. 6-9)Warns of causing offenses (v. 6-9) Tells of the value of one soul and His mission to seek & save the lost (v )Tells of the value of one soul and His mission to seek & save the lost (v ) Teaches how to deal with a sinning brother (v )Teaches how to deal with a sinning brother (v )

IntroductionIntroduction Context of the parable:Context of the parable: Parable spoken by Christ in answer to Peter’s question about forgiveness (v )Parable spoken by Christ in answer to Peter’s question about forgiveness (v ) Peter asked how often must I forgivePeter asked how often must I forgive Thought 7 times was generousThought 7 times was generous Jesus said to forgive 70 X 7 (unlimited)Jesus said to forgive 70 X 7 (unlimited) Lack of forgiveness is a prevalent sin among Christians.Lack of forgiveness is a prevalent sin among Christians.

The parable stated King settles accounts with servants (v. 23)King settles accounts with servants (v. 23) One servant owed 10,000 talents (v. 24)One servant owed 10,000 talents (v. 24)

10,000 talents 1 Talent = 6000 denarii (16 years wages).1 Talent = 6000 denarii (16 years wages). Average Day Wage: $50 *6000 = $300,000 *10,000 = 3,000,000,000Average Day Wage: $50 *6000 = $300,000 *10,000 = 3,000,000,000 ITEM1 DENARII1 TALENT (6000 DENARII) UnitApprox. 4g of silver coinApprox. 75LBS ValueA Day’s Wages16 Years Wages

10,000 talents 1 Talent = 100 pounds.1 Talent = 100 pounds. If gold:If gold: $1379 per ounce; 16 ounces = 1 pound.$1379 per ounce; 16 ounces = 1 pound. $22,064 per pound.$22,064 per pound. 1 talent (100 lbs) = $2,206,400.1 talent (100 lbs) = $2,206,400. Total owed:Total owed: 10,000 talents = $22,064,000,000 (billion)10,000 talents = $22,064,000,000 (billion)

The parable stated King commanded (v. 25):King commanded (v. 25): Servant be soldServant be sold Servant’s wife to be soldServant’s wife to be sold Servant’s children to be soldServant’s children to be sold Everything he owned to be soldEverything he owned to be sold

Servant begged for mercy (v )Servant begged for mercy (v ) Said, “I will pay you all”Said, “I will pay you all” Servant said he would pay all debt – impossible!Servant said he would pay all debt – impossible! The king had compassion; forgave debtThe king had compassion; forgave debt The parable stated

Forgiven servant found a fellow servant who owed him 100 denarii (v. 28)Forgiven servant found a fellow servant who owed him 100 denarii (v. 28) Took him by throatTook him by throat “Pay me what you owe!”“Pay me what you owe!” Owed $5000.Owed $5000. The parable stated

Debtor begged for mercy (v. 29)Debtor begged for mercy (v. 29) No mercy shown; cast into prison (v. 30)No mercy shown; cast into prison (v. 30) Fellow servants told the king (v. 31)Fellow servants told the king (v. 31) The parable stated

Unforgiving servant brought to king (v. 32)Unforgiving servant brought to king (v. 32) The king called the servant “wicked”The king called the servant “wicked” Should have followed my example of compassion (v. 33)Should have followed my example of compassion (v. 33) Servant sent to be tortured (v. 34)Servant sent to be tortured (v. 34) The parable stated

Lessons from the parable 1.The debtor represents us. Man has sinned against God, (ROM 3:23)Man has sinned against God, (ROM 3:23)

Lessons from the parable 1.The debtor represents us. Man has sinned against God, (ROM 3:23)Man has sinned against God, (ROM 3:23) Man’s debt great; payment impossible!Man’s debt great; payment impossible! God’s grace makes it possible to have our sin debt forgivenGod’s grace makes it possible to have our sin debt forgiven Jesus makes it possible, (EPH 2:8-9)Jesus makes it possible, (EPH 2:8-9)

Lessons from the parable 2. The merciful king represents God The king was touched by the misfortune of the debtor; forgave him (v. 27)The king was touched by the misfortune of the debtor; forgave him (v. 27) God forgives us when we obey Him, (HEB 5:8-9)God forgives us when we obey Him, (HEB 5:8-9)

Lessons from the parable 2. The merciful king represents God The king was touched by the misfortune of the debtor; forgave him (v. 27)The king was touched by the misfortune of the debtor; forgave him (v. 27) God forgives us WHEN we obey Him, (HEB 5:8-9)God forgives us WHEN we obey Him, (HEB 5:8-9) The conditions of pardon are the SAME to every person of age, (Rom 2:11) (no partiality with God)The conditions of pardon are the SAME to every person of age, (Rom 2:11) (no partiality with God)

Lessons from the parable 3. Forgiveness of God conditional on our forgiving others Contrast treatment received vs. given:Contrast treatment received vs. given: Was forgiven $22,064,000,000Was forgiven $22,064,000,000 Refused to forgive $5000Refused to forgive $5000 We will not be forgiven if don’t forgive, (MATT 6:14-15)We will not be forgiven if don’t forgive, (MATT 6:14-15)

MATTHEW 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15) But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Lessons from the parable 3. Forgiveness of God conditional on our forgiving others Contrast treatment received vs. given:Contrast treatment received vs. given: Was forgiven $22,064,000,000Was forgiven $22,064,000,000 Refused to forgive $5,000Refused to forgive $5,000 We will not be forgiven if don’t forgive, (MATT 6:14-15)We will not be forgiven if don’t forgive, (MATT 6:14-15) Many, even Christians, like the servantMany, even Christians, like the servant

Lessons from the parable We will go to hell if we do not forgive (v )We will go to hell if we do not forgive (v )

MATTHEW 18:34-35 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

Lessons from the parable We will go to hell if we do not forgive (v )We will go to hell if we do not forgive (v ) When we do not forgive, others control our lives & thoughts.When we do not forgive, others control our lives & thoughts. We should forgive because it makes us like God.We should forgive because it makes us like God. We cannot worship properly until we forgive others, (MATT 5:23-24)We cannot worship properly until we forgive others, (MATT 5:23-24)

MATTHEW 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

We cannot afford to be cast into eternal tormentWe cannot afford to be cast into eternal torment We must forgive as God forgave usWe must forgive as God forgave us Are you harboring an unforgiving spirit?Are you harboring an unforgiving spirit? We need to have hearts of forgiveness (Eph 4:32, Col 3:13)We need to have hearts of forgiveness (Eph 4:32, Col 3:13)