In this series we are looking how Jesus challenges us to live differently. Jesus calls to love Him and love others in a radical way. We will live as those who have been transformed, because we have been transformed by Him. Transformed people live transformed lives. However, living transformed lives is done in isolation and it is not easy. It means turning away from our idols and seeking him to help us live counter culturally.
In this sermon, Pastor Humphreys and his wife Kate talk about Matthew 18:21-35 speak about forgiving. What does it mean? How much should we forgive? How can we forgive?
Matthew 18:21-35
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[g]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accountswith his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[h] was brought to him. 25 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.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
One Comment
Kate, I LOVE what you said about treating people as a “nonbeliever” which means to love them radically as Jesus does. I just talked to a friend about her church and how they practice “church discipline” which includes exclusion when wrongs are done and treating people as less then when they are “nonbelievers.”
I am so thankful to be a part of an amazing church! This is an amazing sermon on Forgiveness and I LOVE that you team taught it!
Love you guys!!