Why Should I Forgive? Matthew 18:23-35

Matthew 7:24 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. Matthew 18:23

Matthew 7:24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Matthew 18:24

Matthew 7:24 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. Matthew 18:25

Matthew 7:24 The servant fell on his knees before him. “Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.” Matthew 18:26

Matthew 7:24 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. Matthew 18:27

Matthew 7:24 But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. Matthew 18:28a

Matthew 7:24 He grabbed him and began to choke him. “Pay back what you owe me!” he demanded.” Matthew 18:28b

Matthew 7:24 His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.” Matthew 18:29

Matthew 7:24 But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. Matthew 18:30

Matthew 7:24 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.. Matthew 18:31

Matthew 7:24 Then the master called the servant in. “You wicked servant,” he said, “I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.” Matthew 18:32

Matthew 7:24 “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” Matthew 18:33

Matthew 7:24 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. Matthew 18:34

Matthew 7:24 This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart. Matthew 18:35

Why Should I Forgive? Matthew 18:23-35

Antwone Fisher

“This is not about them — this is about you!”

“Why do I have to forgive?”

Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?".

Matthew 18:22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy- seven times.”

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant Matthew 18:23-35

Why should I forgive?

This parable gives four reasons why you should forgive

I. Forgive because of the enormity of our debt verses 23-25

Matthew 7:24 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. Matthew 18:23

1.a debt too large to ever repay “unable to pay”

Matthew 7:24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Matthew 18:24

10,000 talents = 2 billion dollars

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

2. a debt so painful to ever atone “all that he had be sold to repay”

Matthew 7:24 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. Matthew 18:25

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Luke 23:34 Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

II. Forgive because of the extravagance of Gods’ grace verses 26-27

1. God’s grace is undeserved “servant fell on his knees”

2. God’s grace is compassionate “master took pity on him"

3. God’s grace is effective “canceled the debt and let him go”

Colossians 2:13-14 … He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross.

III. Forgive because of the hypocrisy of our un-forgiveness verses 28-30

1. Hypocrisy to demand what we have received “pay back what you owe me”

Matthew 7:24 But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. Matthew 13:28a

Matthew 7:24 He grabbed him and began to choke him. “Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.” Matthew 13:28b

10,000 talents 2 billion dollars 100 denarii $20,000 1 one-hundred thousandth of a percent

2. Hypocrisy to punish when we have forgiveness “had the man thrown in prison”

Matthew 7:24 His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.” Matthew 13:29

Matthew 7:24 But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. Matthew 13:30

IV. Forgive because of the certainty of God’s justice verses 31-35

Pious Plattitude #93 "Refusing to forgive is like drinking a glass of poison and expecting someone else to die."

1. God knows what you do “told their master everything”

2. God expects what He gives “mercy …just as I had on you”

Matthew 7:24 Then the master called the servant in. “You wicked servant,” he said, “I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.” Matthew 13:32

Matthew 7:24 “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” Matthew 13:33

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

3. God punishes how you behave “how my heavenly Father will treat … you unless you forgive”

Matthew 7:24 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. Matthew 13:34

Matthew 7:24 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 13:35

Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Mary G. Lodge

“Forgiveness has set me free.”