Parables: “Earthly stories with Heavenly meanings”
#4 – The Parable Of The Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:21-35
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25And 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. 26So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt…
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Forgiveness:
“Forgiveness is a beautiful word, until you have something to forgive.”
~C.S. Lewis~
1. Deals With Real ______
“Forgiveness means pardoning the unpardonable or it is not forgiveness at all”
~G.K. Chesterton~
2. Is Completely Erasing A ______
3. Is Not ______
4. Is Given Not ______
“Forgiveness is a servant of the will, not a prisoner of the emotions”
~Gary Inrig~
One Singular Truth:
YOUR CAPACITY TO EXTEND GRACE TO OTHERS IS ______
AND LIMITED BY YOUR ______OF THE RADICAL
GRACE GOD HAS EXTENDED TO YOU.
Refusal To Forgive
· Is ______
Seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Matthew 18:28
· Is ______
Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’
Matthew 18: 33
· Is ______
And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. Matthew 18: 34
Self Discovery/Thoughts: ______
______
______
______
Going Deeper:
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· Discuss the C.S. Lewis quote “Forgiveness is a beautiful word, until you have something to forgive.”
· In response to Peter’s question “How often should I forgive my brother?” Jesus sets a new Kingdom standard; “seventy seven times.” Discuss this standard and the challenges of living up to it.
· The King’s response to His servants’ plea for mercy is radical grace. Think of a time when you have received grace (unmerited favor). What was your response?
· In what way was the unforgiving servants response to his brother illogical and immoral. What is your reaction to his response?
· Why do you think it is difficult to place yourself in the role of the unforgiving servant?
· Matthew 18:35“So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
In this verse Jesus warns that failure to forgive those who offend us will lead to serious consequences. Discuss the consequence of forgiveness
· How has your appreciation of the grace extended to you by God governed or limited your capacity to extend grace & forgiveness to others?
Sources:
· “The Parables - Understanding what Jesus meant” –Gary Inrig
· “The Parables of Jesus” – William Barclay
· “Radical Gracist” – Dan Liam – City Church, New Zeeland
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