Mercy, ForgivenessMercy, Forgiveness

The Unforgiving ServantThe Unforgiving Servant

The Creditor and DebtorsThe Creditor and Debtors

The Barren Fig TreeThe Barren Fig Tree

The Unforgiving ServantThe Unforgiving ServantMatthew 18:21-35Matthew 18:21-35

The Greater Debt: Vs. 22-27The Greater Debt: Vs. 22-27 Man’s debt to God is great indeed. Man’s debt to God is great indeed. 10,000 talents =~$50,000,00010,000 talents =~$50,000,000

The Lesser Debt: Vs. 28-30The Lesser Debt: Vs. 28-30 One man’s sin against another is next to nothing.One man’s sin against another is next to nothing. $20 compared to $50 mil.$20 compared to $50 mil.

Forgive as you have been forgiven: vs. 31-35.Forgive as you have been forgiven: vs. 31-35. ““have compassion on your fellow servant” (vs. 33).have compassion on your fellow servant” (vs. 33). ““Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

(Matt. 6:12, 14). (Matt. 6:12, 14).

The Creditor and DebtorsThe Creditor and DebtorsLuke 7:41-48Luke 7:41-48

Two Debtors: vs. 41-42Two Debtors: vs. 41-42 Jesus is contrasting the sinner with the Jesus is contrasting the sinner with the

Pharisee. Pharisee. In the mind of the Pharisee, the sinner had the In the mind of the Pharisee, the sinner had the

greater debt. greater debt. Greater Appreciation: vs. 43-47Greater Appreciation: vs. 43-47

Because the woman had the greater debt, she Because the woman had the greater debt, she showed greater appreciation. showed greater appreciation.

Putting self into perspectivePutting self into perspective Both people had the same amount of debtBoth people had the same amount of debt The woman acknowledge hers while the The woman acknowledge hers while the

Pharisee would not.Pharisee would not. We must learn to see ourselves from the We must learn to see ourselves from the

proper prospective. proper prospective.

The Barren Fig TreeThe Barren Fig TreeLuke 13:6-9Luke 13:6-9

The Barren Tree: vs. 6-7The Barren Tree: vs. 6-7 There are some in the kingdom who are not There are some in the kingdom who are not

bearing fruit. bearing fruit. Waiting for change: vs. 8Waiting for change: vs. 8

Through Christ we are given the gift of time.Through Christ we are given the gift of time. We have but a few moments to start working.We have but a few moments to start working. 2 Pet. 3:9: God is longsuffering.2 Pet. 3:9: God is longsuffering.

Limited patience: vs. 9Limited patience: vs. 9 God is seeking opportunity to forgive us, we God is seeking opportunity to forgive us, we

should also seek opportunity to forgive others. should also seek opportunity to forgive others. We only have a limited amount of time. We only have a limited amount of time.

ConclusionConclusion

If we want to be forgiven, we must If we want to be forgiven, we must be forgiving. be forgiving.

If we want forgiveness, we must use If we want forgiveness, we must use the time we have to start bearing the time we have to start bearing fruit. fruit.

Like God, we must have patience to Like God, we must have patience to endure, till it is time for all men to endure, till it is time for all men to settle accounts. settle accounts.