I. PREMISE
A. PRESUMPTION
Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
1. EVENTUALITY
2. EDGE
B. PRINCIPLE
Matthew 18:22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
1. ELIMINATING LIMITS
2. EMPHASIZING GOOD
II. PARABLE
A. PARDON
Matthew 18:23-26 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents [$14.4 BILLION]. Since he had no ability to pay, his master ordered that he, his wife, children and all assets be sold so that some payment could be made. So the servant fell on his face, begging him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And the master, being moved with compassion for that servant, released him and forgave him the loan.
1. EXPECTATION OF THE KING
2. EXHORBITANT DEBT
3. EMOTIONAL RESPONSE
B. PRISON
Matthew 18:27-30 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarius [$14.4 THOUSAND], and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.
1. EXACTING PAYMENT
2. EXACT SAME RESPONSE
C. PUNISHMENT
Matthew 18:31-34 When his fellow servants saw what occurred, they were very upset, and went to their master relating all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you have similarly shown mercy on your fellow servant, as I had on you?’ And in anger his master imprisoned him to be tortured until he repaid all he owed.
1. EVIL SERVANT
2. EFFECTIVE PUNISHMENT
III. PROMISE
A. PLEDGE
Matthew 18:35 So also My heavenly Father will do to you, if you fail to forgive your brother from your heart.”
1. EDICT
2. EXAMINATION
B. POINT
1. ERROR IN WITHHOLDING FORGIVENESS
2. EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVER