The Unforgiven
Matthew 18:21-35
Mark Spurlock
Part of Truth Stories—Parables of Jesus
July 10, 2022

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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?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22

BIG IDEA: I cannot detach the

Reveal Answer
from the
Reveal Answer
.

“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. Matthew 18:23-25

So the servant fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that servants released him and forgave him the debt. Matthew 26:26-27

But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ Matthew 18:28-29

But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Matthew 18:30-31

Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ Matthew 18:32-33

And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:34-35

REFLECTIONS:

1. Nothing done

Reveal Answer
exceeds what Jesus did
Reveal Answer
.

2. Forgiveness is a

Reveal Answer
not a
Reveal Answer
.

3. Forgiveness is the key to

Reveal Answer
.

APPLICATION:

Reveal Answer
!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. When do you find it easy to forgive someone? Is there a person (or even multiple people) you are currently struggling to forgive? How have you seen the truth of the Big Idea (I cannot detach the mercy I receive from the mercy I extend) in your own life?
  2. Read Matthew 18:21-35. What stands out to you in this parable? Verse 35 really drives home how much God desires us to practice forgiveness with each other. What has been the “side effect” of unforgiveness in your past?
  3. How do you struggle with grasping and understanding God’s forgiveness of you? How can that impact your forgiveness of others?
  4. How have you experienced freedom in forgiveness? (Freedom when someone forgave you or when you forgave someone… or both!)

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