Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Parables of the Kingdom” Part three
Review
Through the summer we have examined some of the parables of Jesus. Parables are stories made up out of practical everyday happenings that graphically illustrate some spiritual truth vital for kingdom living. Jesus told many stories to show the basic principles of how God’s kingdom functions.
1. Good Samaritan – character of a good neighbor
2. Lost Sheep coin and son – heart for the lost
3. The wise man and the foolish man – Come, listen, live the truth
4. Parables of the kingdom
The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven refer to God’s absolute rule over a citizenship.
God is the ruler. The citizens are the subjects who swear allegiance not only to the ruler but to the rules of the kingdom. This kingdom is both here and is yet coming. This kingdom is both near us and in us. This kingdom is visible yet invisible. This kingdom is not of this earth but will rule over all the earth. This kingdom will know no end. Jesus told at least 17 parables dealing with the kingdom of God which attempt to describe the indescribable. These parables all identify some aspect regarding the function of God’s kingdom. From them so far we have learned some basic principles.
I. The Kingdom is open to all but not accepted by all
A. Parable of the Wedding feast – some refuse to accept the invitation
B. Parable of the Sower – some refuse to assimilate kingdom truth
II. Entrance to the Kingdom requires life change
A. Requires personal preparation.
Parable of the Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1-13 (need for oil in the lamp)
B. Requires a core change (need new birth)
C. Requires a robe of righteousness --Parable of the Wedding Feast (need Rt)
D. Entrance to the kingdom of heaven may include tribulation on earth
E. Requires an immortal body 1 Cor. 15:50-57; Philip 3:20-21 (mortal must put on immortal)
III. Citizenship in the Kingdom demands kingdom participation
Parable of the Master and slaves – all expected to invest resources into the kingdom
IV. Kingdom citizenship is worth the sacrificial investment
A. Parable of the Hidden Treasure (sell everything acquire the treasure)
B. Parable of the Priceless Pearl (sell everything to acquire the priceless)
Our trouble is that we fail to perceive value in the things of the kingdom. Someone has switched the price tags. We willingly relinquish wisdom for wealth. We sacrifice relationship for pleasure. We forfeit meaning for escape. We deny the spiritual for the sensual. We ignore the eternal for the temporal We simply do not appreciate the value of the things of the kingdom. We are reluctant to let go of what we think leads to real life. Jesus taught in very graphic terms the passion to enter the kingdom at any cost.
Matthew 5:29-30 (NASB-U)
What ever it takes! Citizenship in God’s kingdom is worth whatever sacrifice necessary. Jesus clearly urged his disciples to get their priority strait.
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:33
V. Citizenship in God’s kingdom focuses on forgiveness
Before we look at the specific lessons to be learned about forgiveness from this great parable lets talk a bit about the whole concept of forgiveness.
To forgive is to clear a debt; to release from obligation to repay. The one owed forgives. The one indebted receives forgiveness.
There are really only two elements involved. This is such a simple but universal and absolutely vital aspect of life on this earth.
One – a debt. Two – a release from debt.
All of us have incurred debts of all kinds over our lifetime and the feeling is the same.
We feel guilty. We feel restricted. We feel in bondage. We feel awkward around the one we owe.
Some can be repaid.
• Monetary debt
• Social debt i.e. “debt to society”
• Physical debt “owe a favor”
Others cannot.
• Debt of love “owe nothing except love”
• Debts of hurt and offense
• Debts of failure to act in a loving manner, breaking of a promise or agreement, failure to meet expectations.
In every case there is always the one owned and the one who owes.
For the one who owes there are three choices.
1 – Don’t repay resulting in GUILT
2—Pay repayable debts resulting in a clear conscience
3—Plead forgiveness for unpayable debts resulting in a clear conscience.
For the one owed there are really only two options.
1 – Withhold forgiveness, resulting in BITTERNESS and a life of bondage and torment.
• Extract payment
• Execute punishment
Bitterness torments the soul and blocks realization of God’s forgiveness. Failure to forgive incurs greater debt with God who told us to forgive. To become a punisher consumes ones life as a jailer of the debtor’s prison. To become a punisher ruins your life.
2 – Grant forgiveness, resulting in release from bitterness and guilt and a life of freedom.
What debts do you owe? What debts are owed to you? How have you respond?
The next kingdom parable addresses this topic.
A. The perspective Matthew 18:21-22 (NASB-U)
B. The parable Matthew 18:23-35 (NASB-U)
From this story we learn seven things about forgiveness
C. The practice of genuine forgiveness
1. Forgiveness is commanded
There is no doubt about God’s expectation for all of us. We pray for Him to forgive us as we forgive others. He commands us to forgive others as He has forgiven us.
2. Forgiveness is communicative
To forgive does not necessarily mean that we forget. In many instances we may never be able to forget the offense. Sometimes people do not realize they have offended or hurt someone. By communicating with the debtor we offer them a chance to repay what can be repaid and to ask for mercy for those things we can’t.
3. Forgiveness is compassionate (character produced)
Rather than demand payment, we may out of compassion release the debt. For unpayable debts we have only two choices. Release or punish. History cannot be changed.
An offense cannot be undone. The broken cannot be restored. Punishment cannot change the hurt or change the past or undo the offense. Generally it will not bring freedom from the pain.
4. Forgiveness is complete
He forgave the debt. He did not give more time to pay as the servant asked. He FORAVE the whole debt.
5. Forgiveness is costly
Who bears the cost related to forgiveness? The one who is owed the debt must absorb the cost or pain. It cost the master 250 million dollars to forgive the slave. He absorbed the cost. If you really want to be free you must absorb the pain and cost and forgive. In the case of debts that could be paid, we may choose to absorb the cost. In the case of debts that cannot be repaid, the only choice is to absorb the cost or punish the offender. To punish by bitterness only poisons our own soul. We become slave to the debtor and a greater debtor to God who forgave us. You say you can’t absorb the cost of the debt.
God promises all of the resources of heaven. Whatever it takes to forgive comes out of God’s infinite resources. He will even bear the pain.
6. Forgiveness is continual
It is clear from Jesus answer to Peter’s question about how many times that Jesus intends that we always forgive no matter how many times we are offended.
7. Forgiveness compels forgiving
Jesus also expected that because He has forgiven our many offenses that we intentionally forgive those who offend us. Failure to do so results in bondage. If we fail to release others from the bondage of indebtedness, God cannot release us from the consequences of unforgiveness. He will not deliver us from the ravages of guilt and bitterness as long as we fail to release others from the debilitating guilt associated with their offenses toward us. How many debtors in your prison? Perhaps you are in someone else’s prison? Those in debt for things you can pay; communicate and make arrangements to get out. For those things that cannot be repayed; plead for mercy and forgiveness.
Those owed by others. Demand repayment or punishment and fight the bitterness which defiles many. Forgive! Release from debt and find release for your own soul.
VI. Citizenship in God’s kingdom is available up to the end
Parable of the field workers Matthew 20:1-16 (NASB-U)
Oh we have so much to learn about service to God and God’s generosity and grace.
Right up to end God will accept faithful service from His citizens and reward them as HE sees fit. God looks at the motive. God looks at the heart.
VII. Citizenship in God’s kingdom will be sorted out at the end
A. Parable of the dragnet (root) . Matthew 13:47-50 (NASB-U)
B. Parable of the wheat and tares (fruit) Matthew 13:24-30 (NASB-U)
Jesus interpreted the parable later. Mat 13:36-43
Separation of the sheep and goats Matthew 25:31-46 (NASB-U)
Kingdom character will demonstrate itself in service to those in need.
Those who claim to be members of the Kingdom of God would be expected to actually serve the king.
Since the king is not here, the only way we demonstrate service to Him is to serve those he puts in our path.
Application
the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
Come -- Listen -- Live
Come to Jesus today. Come in humility. Admit your need. Come in faith. Affirm your trust in His power and his love. What has Jesus said today to you? Listen! And Live it! Obey!
He offers you citizenship in His eternal kingdom.
Citizenship in God’s kingdom comes through absolute simple trust. Matthew 18:1-6
Will you refuse His offer another day or will you take it?
This will mean both a core change and a life change.
Will you invest the resources entrusted to you for kingdom purposes?
Will you sacrifice all for the kingdom because it is truly worth the sacrifice?
Will you purpose to demonstrate your citizenship by loving forgiveness of all?
Will you show kingdom character by treating others as if they were Christ Himself?
Don’t wait too long.
The day will come when it will be too late and God will sift out the illegal aliens from the kingdom and deport them to their true kingdom.
