Set Free and Stay Free – Forgiveness

Some of the traps of the enemy that we have explored in this series so far

• Living for our selfishness
• Serving two masters
• Our fears and insecurities
• Listening to the lies of the enemy

Matthew 18:21 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

This was a real topic in their times

Rabbi Jose Bar Hanina (Old Testament Rabbi)“He who begs for forgiveness from his neighbor must not do it more than three times”

Matthew 18:22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Scene 1

Matthew 18: 23-25 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.”

Explaining the numbers:

• Largest Greek numeral – X (10,000)
• Largest unit of money – A Talent
• New Testament a talent was 129 pounds 14oz.
• The original tabernacle (By Moses) was built for 29 talents of gold
• 10,000 talents of gold equals 3.85 Billion Dollars

C.S. Lewis – To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven

Scene two

Matthew 18: 28-31“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.”

How much money?

• 100 Silver coins (100 Denarii)
• 1 Denarii equaled one days wage
• This man owed 100 days wage

Scene 3

Matthew 18: 32-35 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

What is Jesus referring to about the jailor and torture?

• Is it hell?
• Is it purgatory?
• Handed over to be tortured by something that normally would not have authority over your life

Ephesians 4:27 “And do not give the devil a foothold”

Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger”

What happens in our hearts when we can’t forgive?

• Resentment grows
• Anger takes hold of us
• Bitterness sets in

Nelson Mandela – “Resentment is like drinking poison hoping it will kill your enemies.”