10,000 Reasons To Forgive

10,000 REASONS TO FORGIVE

Matt. 18:21-35

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Two judges got speeding tickets and decided to try each other’s cases. The first judge came before his friend and received a fine of $5.

2. The second judge came before the first and received a fine of $500! In consternation, the second judge asked why he was fined so large an amount. The first judge answered, “Because we’re having too much of this lately; this is the second case today!”

3. Often this is the kind of way we treat others, not showing them the same grace we’ve been shown.

B. TEXT

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” NKJV

C. THESIS

1. Today we’re looking at what forgiveness is, the consequences of unforgiveness, and four things to do to forgive those who’ve offended you.

2. The title of this message is “10,000 Reasons to Forgive.”

I. WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

A. TERMS OF THE PARABLE

1. King – represents God; the servant represents us.

2. “Take account” – called into Judgment, all recorded.

3. 10,000 talents ($52,800,000) = our sins, an enormous debt that can never be repaid.

4. 100 denarii ($17) = our daily offenses against each other.

B. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FORGIVE?

1. DEFINED: “To stop feeling resentment against an offender; pardon. To give up claim for revenge; to grant relief from payment.

2. C.S. Lewis says, “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.”

C. ARE THERE CONDITIONS FOR FORGIVENESS?

1. Repentance appears to be one. “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” Lk. 17:3. IT SEEMS LIKE repentance is a condition.

2. What if you’re pretty sure they’re going to do it again; should you forgive them? The Lord says “Yes.” “And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him” Lk. 17:4.

3. What if they’re NOT SORRY about what they did – must we forgive them? What did Jesus do? On the Cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” JESUS PRACTICED UNILATERAL FORGIVENESS! “Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath” Eph. 4:26. In many instances, we will need to forgive people even if they haven’t told us they’re sorry. Why? Because if we don’t, it will hurt US!

D. IS IT POSSIBLE TO FORGIVE WITHOUT FORGETTING?

1. HUMOR.

a. A man was telling a friend about an argument with his wife. “I can’t stand it; every time we get into an argument, she gets historical!”

b. His friend replied, “Do you mean ‘hysterical?’” “No, I mean historical; she drags up everything from the past and holds it against me!” [Michael Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, p. 153]