2. Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:21-35

3. Context [Matt. 18:1-22]
Jesus teaching on humility and the severity of sin (:1-14)
Jesus teaching on dealing with a brother who offends – forgiveness
Go to them alone (:15)
Take one or two more (:16)
Take it to the Church (:17)
Parable in response to Peter’s question (:21-22)

4. Parable of the Unforgiving Servant [Matt. 18:31-34]
The King and His Servant
The Servant and His Fellow
Owed 10,000 talents (:24)
1 talent = 6000 denarii (16-20 yr. wage)
Debt ~ 160,000 – 200,000 year’s worth of wages (i.e. could never be repaid)
Unable to pay = sold with family (:25) [Lev. 25:39]
Pleads for mercy (patience) (:26)
King has compassion and forgives debt (:27)
Owed 100 denarii (:28a)
1 denarius = 1 day’s wage
Debt ~ 100 day’s wage (1/3 of a year) (still a large debt, but could be repaid)
Lays hands on him and takes him by the throat (:28b)
Pleads for mercy (patience) (:29)
Shows no mercy and cast him into prison (:30)

5. The King’s Response [Matt. 18:31-34]
Fellowservants took note of the unforgiving servant (:31)
King confronts the unforgiving servant – should have had compassion as I had pity (:32-33)
Cast unforgiving servant to the tormenters (:34)

6. Application [Matt. 18:35]
The King is the Father, we are the servant, others are the fellow servant
We owe the Father a debt that could never be repaid
Rom. 6:23 – wages of sin = death
Heb. 2:1-3 – how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation
Heb. 10:28-31 – how much sorer punishment…

7. Application [Matt. 18:35]
The King is the Father, we are the servant, others are the fellow servant
We owe the Father a debt that could never be repaid
The Father has shown us mercy  we should be merciful
Ps. 103:8-14 – the Lord is merciful and gracious
Mt. 5:7 – blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy
Js. 2:8-13 – if we show no mercy, we will be judged with no mercy
Col.3:13/Eph. 4:32 – forgive as Christ forgave us

8. Application [Matt. 18:35]
The King is the Father, we are the servant, others are the fellow servant
We owe the Father a debt that could never be repaid
The Father has shown us mercy -> we should be merciful
Our forgiveness is dependent on how we forgive others
Matt. 6:12,14-15 – forgive us our debts AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS
Mk. 11:25-26 – forgive that ye may be forgiven

9. Application [Matt. 18:35]
The King is the Father, we are the servant, others are the fellow servant
We owe the Father a debt that could never be repaid
The Father has shown us mercy -> we should be merciful
Our forgiveness is dependent on how we forgive others
Just as we received forgiveness of an impossible debt, our forgiveness of others is to be unlimited
Matt. 18:21-22 – not 7 but 70*7
Luke 17:3-5 – rebuke, repent, forgive

10. The Process of Forgiveness [Matt. 18:15-17]
If a brother sins against us…
1. Rebuke alone
If he repents, forgive him!
2. If he doesn’t repent, take one or two more
3. If he doesn’t repent, take it to the church
4. If he doesn’t repent, then let him be as a heathen/publican