Stop Drinking Poison: Part 1 - Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg
Part of Stop Drinking Poison - Fayetteville/Ft. Brag
October 6, 2022

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Stop Drinking Poison: Part 1
October 6 & 9, 2022


Matthew 18:21-35 (ESV)

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And 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. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But 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.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”


CONSEQUENCES OF BITTERNESS


– Broken Relationships –

Hebrews 12:15 (ESV)

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness”
springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;


– Loss of God’s Forgiveness –

Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.


– Presence of Tormentors in Your Life –

Matthew 18:33-35 (ESV)

And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’
And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”



Questions & Application

These questions can be used for personal study and/or in a Small Group format. We’d love to hear how you are putting them to use, so let us know at smallgroups@manna.church!


  1. Unforgiveness has been called “the number one sin in our lives today,” and “the most foolish sin a believer can commit.” Do you think these statements are true? If so, why?

  2. [Read Matthew 18:23-35] The master put the servant he forgave back into prison until he paid what was owed. In this story, what did he own this time? (Hint: it’s not money)

  3. [Read Hebrews 12:15] What are some troubles that you have seen people endure (or that you’ve endured yourself) because of unforgiveness? How can we encourage each other towards forgiveness when we see these troubles in our lives? How would you wish to be encouraged towards forgiveness by a friend of yours?