On Sunday, I am planning to preach from Matthew 18:21-35. It is a POWERFUL passage that clearly shows us the problem of unforgiveness. You can begin now to prepare your heart for what the Lord wants to accomplish this Sunday by reading over Matthew 18:21-35.
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 times seven.
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."
Albert Barnes, in his commentary, writes the following concerning verse 35:
"This verse contains the sum or moral of the parable. When Christ has explained one of his own parables, we are to receive it just as he has explained it, and not attempt to draw spiritual instruction from any parts or circumstances which he has not explained. The following seems to be the particulars of the general truth which he meant to teach:
(1.) That our sins are great.
(2.) That God freely forgives them.
(3.) That the offences committed against us by our brethren are comparatively small.
(4.) That we should, therefore, most freely forgive them.
(5.) That if we do not, God will be justly angry with us, and punish us.
From your hearts. That is, not merely in words, but really and truly to feel and act towards him as if he had not offended us."
(From: Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical.)
Ponder these words. Pray for yourself and others. Prepare to hear from the Father on Sunday.
Expecting God to Work in us and through us,
Pastor Mike
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