Healthy Tensions: Judgment & Accountability and Forgiveness vs. Accountability
Big Idea: Big Idea: These tensions are balanced best when we (1) first recognize our own sin and need for Jesus and (2) focus on the forgiveness and grace we are given through His finished work on the cross.
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. —1 Timothy 1:12-15
MAIN POINT #1: If we’re going to talk about judging & accountability // forgiveness & accountability, we need to focus on how much
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. —Matthew 7:1-5
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:2
MAIN POINT #2: Jesus asks us to look into
What about forgiveness and accountability?
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.” —Matthew 18:23-35
MAIN POINT #3: The only way we can
Recap:
- When we recognize our own
- When we focus on the
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
In what ways do you think you tend to judge others?
The two tensions we heard about were Judging & Accountability and Forgiveness & Accountability. Which resonated more with you and why?
If you are comfortable sharing, who in your life would you say needs forgiving? (i.e. a co-worker, family member, spouse, yourself?) What might healthy accountability look like as you ask God to give you the strength to forgive?