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Lesson: We are responsible to forgive because we have been forgiven.
Peter’s question: How often must I forgive a brother who sins against me?
Peter was searching for boundaries on forgiveness, but Jesus removed the boundaries. “Until seventy time seven” means ” just keep on forgiving.”
Parable on Forgiveness
I. God forgiving us of our sins
The King represents the Lord. He is calling his servants to settle their debts to him. One servant is found to owe the King 10,000 talents, millions of dollars.
He probably did not realize the immensity of his debt until the King brought it to his attention.
Conviction of sin by the Holy Ghost makes us aware of our wickedness.
He could not pay the debt he owed. No way for us to save ourselves.
He could not bear to suffer the penalty. His whole family would be affected.
He begged for a chance to pay his debt. We try to earn our salvation by good works.
The King forgave his debt. Not told in the parable: Someone paid the debt for him.
Song writer put it like this:
I owed a debt I could not pay.
He paid a debt he did not owe.
Upon a life I did not live,
Upon a death I did not die,
I stake my life, my all.
II. Our responsibility to forgive others.
The servant after being forgiven is unwilling to forgive.
He is owed a small debt by a fellow servant. No one has treated us as bad as we treated Christ.
He demands payment.
Like himself with the King, the servant is unable to pay.Like himself, the servant pleads for patience. Unlike the King, he refuses to forgive.
Attitude of unforgiveness destroys families. Divides siblings, parents and children.
Attitude of unforgiveness destroys churches.
Attitude of unforgiveness destroys the soul. Servant thrown into prison a type of hell.
Problem with the servant – he laced compassion. (Ephesians 4:32)