WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120 This is a reading from Ephesians chapter 5, verses 15 to 21. 00:00:05.120 --> 00:00:13.640 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:18.379 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:23.519 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:28.900 Addressing one another in psalm and hymns, in spiritual songs, 00:00:28.899 --> 00:00:31.879 singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:38.659 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:41.920 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 00:00:42.939 --> 00:00:46.539 Well, good morning. Let's take a moment and bow our heads in prayer. 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:55.159 Heavenly Father, we give you thanks and praise that now we can gather together to hear you speak directly to our hearts and minds. 00:00:55.159 --> 00:01:02.259 Father, we just ask that you would graciously open your word to us, that you would speak to us. 00:01:02.819 --> 00:01:07.219 Father, if there's any distractions from the week, from last night, whether good or bad, 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:13.000 that they would just, you would take them away from our minds, and that you would draw us into yourself. 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:15.959 And I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:15.959 --> 00:01:24.879 Now we're going to talk about a topic, as Daniel just read from the Gospel, the topic of forgiveness. 00:01:25.699 --> 00:01:31.579 And this topic is one of, that could, some people really enjoy talking about forgiveness, 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:33.979 and a lot of people don't like talking about forgiveness. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:37.319 So we're going to address that, we're going to look at it. 00:01:37.659 --> 00:01:42.839 And the view of forgiveness, this idea that we need to forgive people who have wronged us, 00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:46.060 we need to forgive our family, we need to forgive our friends, 00:01:46.460 --> 00:01:52.240 is something in our culture right now that is considered, the idea is considered dangerous. 00:01:53.140 --> 00:01:54.760 It's considered useless. 00:01:55.579 --> 00:01:57.340 Some people are indifferent to it. 00:01:58.280 --> 00:02:04.700 Some people think that you must have justice before you can even consider to forgive somebody. 00:02:05.700 --> 00:02:10.740 But Jesus, in this Gospel, in the text that we're looking at, speaks directly to it. 00:02:10.740 --> 00:02:16.020 And he speaks quite bluntly about it through a parable, and we're going to look at it. 00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:23.060 Because the parable of the unforgiving servant, which by today's standards is considered dangerous, 00:02:23.820 --> 00:02:25.879 and it's also considered controversial, 00:02:26.540 --> 00:02:29.640 has a meaning within it that we need to listen to. 00:02:29.820 --> 00:02:33.600 We need to look at it, we need to talk about it, because it's a very actually serious thing. 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:38.660 Now if you haven't already, if you've closed your Bibles already, open them up again. 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:43.280 Turn to Matthew 18, and we're going to look at verses 21 to 35. 00:02:43.579 --> 00:02:45.539 There's Bibles in the back if you don't have one. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:49.219 It's really helpful to have a Bible with you, 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:55.280 to look at what happens before the text, and to look at what happens after the text. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:58.800 Now this parable has a very serious warning within it. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:01.479 And we need to pay attention, and we need to heed it. 00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:05.259 And we're going to look at it in a couple of ways. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:09.879 We're going to look at it as God requires more than you think from yourself. 00:03:10.579 --> 00:03:13.379 It costs Him more than you think. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:18.979 It's harder than you think, more serious than you think, and more freeing than you think. 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:22.359 But in order to understand this text properly, 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:27.479 we need to look at the verses right before, and I'll just briefly summarize them. 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:33.799 The verses right before, Jesus is also talking about forgiveness to His disciples. 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:39.340 And what He's doing is He's showing them how to deal with it in a more corporate setting. 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:45.340 First off, you need to work out forgiveness between you and your brother or sister, and come together. 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:49.439 If that doesn't work, you need to bring it before a couple of witnesses. 00:03:49.760 --> 00:03:53.360 And if that doesn't work, you need to bring it before the church, and do it that way. 00:03:54.240 --> 00:03:57.880 But then after this, after Jesus talking about this to His disciples, 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:03.299 Peter comes up to Him and does a very classic Peter thing. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:07.759 Because through the Gospels, you see Peter always making, almost like a fool of himself. 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:12.099 Almost, always questioning what Jesus does. 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:14.259 But then he gets greatly redeemed in the end. 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:18.120 I believe it's in the Gospel of Mark that really hones in on that. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:21.079 But Peter comes up, and he says this. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:23.779 Then Peter came up and said to Jesus, 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:30.259 Lord, how often will my brothers sin against me, and I forgive them? 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:32.279 As many as seven times? 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:34.579 Jesus said to him, 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:39.839 I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 00:04:41.099 --> 00:04:45.620 Now, Peter asks something by his cultural standards, 00:04:46.159 --> 00:04:47.839 which is actually considered very generous. 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:52.099 Because in the Old Testament, it's only commanded to them 00:04:52.099 --> 00:04:54.199 that they only have to forgive somebody three times, 00:04:54.379 --> 00:04:55.899 and then they can write them off. 00:04:56.799 --> 00:04:58.939 So Peter's actually being generous here. 00:04:59.979 --> 00:05:03.279 But then Jesus turns it against him, and uses it, 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:07.319 and almost would have blown everyone's minds when they heard this. 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:09.859 It would have been unheard of, what Jesus says. 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:13.139 Because what Jesus says turns out to be, 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:15.979 if you're counting, 490 times. 00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:19.400 It's not just three times, it's not just seven times, it's 490 times. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:23.020 But what Jesus is honing in on here, 00:05:23.080 --> 00:05:24.500 what he's teaching his disciples, 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:27.040 has nothing to do with the number. 00:05:27.720 --> 00:05:29.780 It has nothing to do with the number. 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:32.480 Because the thing with the number seven, 00:05:33.160 --> 00:05:37.000 forgiveness, number seven means completion within the Bible. 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:39.459 So when Jesus uses this number, 00:05:39.980 --> 00:05:44.000 it means forgiveness must be complete. 00:05:44.740 --> 00:05:46.500 It must be fully complete. 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:49.180 It can't be half, it can't be a quarter, 00:05:49.339 --> 00:05:50.240 it must be complete. 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:55.819 It's like, all of us have objects in our life 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:58.120 that we hold on to dearly, that we really like. 00:05:58.519 --> 00:06:01.360 When I was ordained a deacon before becoming a priest, 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:03.920 one of my former high school teachers 00:06:03.920 --> 00:06:05.699 came to my ordination. 00:06:06.280 --> 00:06:08.259 And he's someone who introduced me 00:06:08.259 --> 00:06:11.340 to the outdoors, getting more involved in the outdoors, 00:06:11.660 --> 00:06:12.759 a lot of canoe camping. 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:16.259 And he gave me a paddle at my ordination. 00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:18.420 And that's very significant in the outdoor communities, 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:19.180 when you get a paddle. 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:20.420 It's like in the music community, 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:24.720 I believe Johnny Cash gave Bob Dylan his guitar, 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:27.939 which signals something of respect. 00:06:28.580 --> 00:06:29.660 And he gave me this paddle. 00:06:29.660 --> 00:06:31.240 And this paddle's worth a lot. 00:06:31.580 --> 00:06:32.880 And I hold it dearly. 00:06:33.520 --> 00:06:35.180 But this idea of forgiveness 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:38.120 that Jesus is honing in on is, 00:06:38.640 --> 00:06:40.740 say I'm on a canoe trip with this paddle, 00:06:41.260 --> 00:06:43.120 and one of my friends breaks it. 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:46.800 I need, what Jesus is talking about here 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:49.379 is I need to forgive him for breaking it. 00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:50.600 I need to absorb it. 00:06:51.140 --> 00:06:53.320 But then what if I'm on another canoe trip with him 00:06:53.320 --> 00:06:54.440 and I've replaced the paddle, 00:06:54.900 --> 00:06:57.260 and then it gets broken again by him? 00:06:57.259 --> 00:07:01.599 I need to forgive him or absorb the cost again. 00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:05.060 But how are we to absorb this? 00:07:05.159 --> 00:07:06.759 Because if you're counting forgiveness, 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:08.399 how many times you forgive somebody, 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:10.560 you're actually not forgiving them. 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:13.139 That's what Jesus is talking about here. 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:15.399 But how is this possible? 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:17.339 How do we do this? 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:22.360 Well, Jesus lays it out in a very straightforward illustration. 00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:23.500 So let's look at it. 00:07:24.279 --> 00:07:26.019 Verses 23 to 27. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:28.599 This is Jesus talking. 00:07:29.599 --> 00:07:32.360 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:34.699 may be compared to a king 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:37.139 who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:39.420 When he began to settle, 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:43.199 one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents. 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:45.699 And since he could not pay, 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:47.779 his master ordered him to be sold 00:07:47.779 --> 00:07:50.879 with his wife and children and all that he had 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:52.519 and payment to be made. 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:55.099 So the servant fell on his knees, 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:56.019 imploring him, 00:07:56.359 --> 00:07:58.120 have patience with me, 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.379 and I will pay you everything. 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:01.740 And out of pity for him, 00:08:01.859 --> 00:08:03.740 the master of the servant released him 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:05.339 and forgave him the debt. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:10.500 Now, this number that Jesus uses here, 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:12.459 10,000 talents, 00:08:13.039 --> 00:08:15.879 this number is an unheard of number. 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:19.300 It would have been 4 billion plus dollars, 00:08:19.659 --> 00:08:21.159 an impossible number to achieve, 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:21.800 to get to. 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:24.839 And the punishment that the king gives here, 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:25.779 the master gives, 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:28.199 is something in that time which was very normal. 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:29.740 If the debt couldn't be paid, 00:08:30.219 --> 00:08:32.360 they sell everything that the person owes. 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:34.980 Kind of like debtor's prison in the Victorian era 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:37.220 when Charles Dickens was alive. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:40.240 It's this idea that they sell everything, 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:41.820 they count their loss, 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:43.620 and they move on and get what they can get. 00:08:44.820 --> 00:08:45.740 But the cost, 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:49.560 the cost would have bankrupt the king. 00:08:49.920 --> 00:08:51.760 It's that the king forgave him this debt. 00:08:52.160 --> 00:08:53.100 And the king does it. 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:57.080 This idea of 4 billion plus dollars, 00:08:57.200 --> 00:08:58.120 10,000 talents, 00:08:58.520 --> 00:08:59.540 is something that is, 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:02.120 for a king to do this, 00:09:02.800 --> 00:09:03.940 would have been unheard of, 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:04.560 like impossible, 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:05.280 can't happen. 00:09:05.580 --> 00:09:08.000 Because it would have just bankrupt the entire kingdom. 00:09:08.400 --> 00:09:10.040 But the king does it. 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:12.579 Jesus is using an illustration here 00:09:12.579 --> 00:09:15.120 to show something beyond this idea 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:16.679 of this number being forgiven. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:19.679 If you're familiar with the gospel, 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:22.599 you know how Jesus goes to the cross 00:09:22.599 --> 00:09:23.599 for you and me. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.079 He goes to the cross. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:27.279 And he does this 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:29.179 because sin entered the world. 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:33.179 And this debt that happened through this sin 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:37.019 cannot be paid through human means. 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:38.759 It's impossible to pay it. 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:42.000 But God knew this. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:43.960 And he sends his son 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:47.319 to appease the debt that has to be paid. 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:49.179 Because God is a just God. 00:09:49.819 --> 00:09:51.519 He gives the command in Genesis, 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:52.939 do not eat from the tree. 00:09:53.379 --> 00:09:54.580 And humanity eats from the tree. 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:56.100 So he has to follow through with it. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:57.799 But he sends someone. 00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:58.679 He sends his son 00:09:58.679 --> 00:10:01.039 in order to stand in our place. 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:02.519 C.S. Lewis 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:05.319 has a famous essay called 00:10:05.319 --> 00:10:06.319 God in the Dock. 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:08.439 And this thing is, 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:09.860 what the essay is about, 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:11.980 is about that we are standing 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:13.340 within the dock in the courtroom 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.279 before the judge, 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.279 the just judge. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:17.539 And we have our sentence 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:19.340 laid out before us. 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:21.360 All the evidence is laid out. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:22.799 We are found guilty. 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:25.819 But then Jesus comes through the side door 00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:27.679 and stands in our place 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:28.799 and we walk free. 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:30.259 But Jesus doesn't. 00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:33.120 See, Jesus could have ended 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:34.219 the illustration here 00:10:34.219 --> 00:10:35.279 and it would have been 00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:36.779 a feel-good story. 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:38.039 A nice illustration. 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:38.859 It's all settled. 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:40.839 The king forgives the servant 00:10:40.839 --> 00:10:42.819 and life goes on. 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:45.859 But Jesus doesn't finish here. 00:10:46.339 --> 00:10:47.259 He keeps going. 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:48.840 Why is he doing this? 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:50.279 And that's what we need to find out. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:51.720 Because forgiveness 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:54.439 is so hard to do. 00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:56.720 It is harder than you think. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:00.080 This idea that we must forgive 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.559 those who have wronged us 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:03.899 regardless of how severe it's been 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:05.460 is unheard of. 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:07.080 It is so hard to do. 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.439 So in the next verses, 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:09.240 let's take a look. 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:10.240 28 to 31. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:19.100 But when the same servant went out, 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:21.600 he found one of his fellow servants 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:23.680 who owed him a hundred denarii. 00:11:24.180 --> 00:11:25.139 And seizing him, 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:26.919 he began to choke him, 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:27.259 saying, 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:28.279 Pay what you owe. 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:35.100 So his fellow servant fell down 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:36.100 and pleaded with him, 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:38.440 Have patience with me 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:39.460 and I will pay you. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:40.960 He refused 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:42.759 and went and put him in prison 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:44.060 until he should pay the debt. 00:11:44.900 --> 00:11:45.980 And when his fellow servants 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:47.500 saw what had taken place, 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:49.519 they were greatly distressed. 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:50.980 And they went 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:52.300 and reported to their master 00:11:52.300 --> 00:11:53.960 all that had taken place. 00:11:55.220 --> 00:11:56.580 See, what's going on here 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:57.780 is that the servant 00:11:57.780 --> 00:11:59.720 owed the other servant, 00:11:59.800 --> 00:12:00.780 the one who was just forgiven, 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.720 way less. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:03.860 It would have been 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:05.139 just around $12,000, 00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:06.379 which is still a lot, 00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:08.300 but it's significantly less 00:12:08.300 --> 00:12:09.000 than $4 billion. 00:12:09.460 --> 00:12:11.780 But it was also in his right 00:12:11.780 --> 00:12:13.940 to do what he did, 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.780 to send the servant to prison. 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:17.480 It was in his right at that time. 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:18.740 He didn't have to forgive him. 00:12:19.780 --> 00:12:21.340 So this idea of forgiveness, 00:12:21.660 --> 00:12:22.879 Jesus is honing in on. 00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:25.060 So what is Jesus trying to show here? 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:26.879 What he's showing here 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:27.780 is that the servant, 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:28.940 yes, he was forgiven, 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:31.040 has not changed. 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:33.280 His heart has not changed at all. 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:35.600 Only looking out for himself. 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:38.519 Only those who have been 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:39.799 truly changed 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:41.600 by the forgiveness of God 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:44.059 can forgive freely. 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.579 That's what Jesus 00:12:45.579 --> 00:12:46.779 is talking about here. 00:12:46.899 --> 00:12:47.459 And that is why 00:12:47.459 --> 00:12:48.779 Jesus used this illustration 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:49.419 for Peter 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:50.959 as he brings this question to him. 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:51.839 Because Peter, 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:52.879 still in his mind, 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:54.199 had this idea 00:12:54.199 --> 00:12:55.319 that he only had to forgive 00:12:55.319 --> 00:12:56.199 seven times, 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:57.419 and then he could just walk on 00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:58.639 and write that person off. 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:01.019 But Jesus is showing here 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.120 is that if you 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.500 have been forgiven, 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:04.960 if you are clinging 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:05.799 to that forgiveness 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:06.860 that God has done 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:07.620 through his son, 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:08.980 you must forgive. 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.960 And Jesus is bringing that 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:11.600 to home 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:14.220 before he goes to the cross. 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.460 So how do I forgive? 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:16.279 How do I do it? 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:19.199 Well, someone who's influenced me 00:13:19.199 --> 00:13:20.259 quite dramatically 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.199 is Timothy Keller. 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:22.500 He has passed away now. 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:24.019 But one of his last books 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:24.500 he wrote 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:25.399 is called Forgive. 00:13:26.299 --> 00:13:27.519 And if you are curious 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.519 about forgiveness, 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.319 and if you struggle 00:13:29.319 --> 00:13:29.819 with forgiveness, 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:30.819 I would highly recommend 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:31.480 this book. 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:32.600 But I'm just going to 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.179 take a section from it 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:34.939 because if someone 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:35.919 says it better than you, 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:37.439 you should just quote them. 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:40.259 And it's just a short section. 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:41.319 So how do you forgive? 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:43.179 He lays it out in four ways. 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:46.000 And the ways he lays it out 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.100 just gets harder and harder 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.039 as he lays it out. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.500 Now, forgiveness, 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:51.019 according to Timothy Keller, 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:53.819 is it's not something 00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:56.120 where you just excuse the person 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:57.480 and you don't talk about 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.220 what has happened. 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.500 There is an offense 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.259 that happened 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:02.279 and it needs to be addressed. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.779 It needs to be brought up. 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:05.519 The way Jesus talks about it 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.399 in the previous verses, 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.740 you need to go to your brother 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.259 or sister 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.759 and tell them 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.799 what has happened, 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:11.720 how they offended you, 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.179 because they actually 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.080 might not even know. 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.299 But it needs to be done 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:15.919 in a way 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:17.799 that is not accusatory. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.980 It just needs to be brought up. 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:21.100 It needs to be talked about. 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:23.820 And then step two 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:25.620 is that you need to identify 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.920 with the person 00:14:26.920 --> 00:14:28.000 who's offended you 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.279 or sinned against you 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:30.940 as a fellow sinner. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:33.540 You're not to elevate yourself 00:14:33.540 --> 00:14:34.659 above that person 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:36.200 because they also 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:39.200 are only saved through grace. 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:41.220 It's nothing else. 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:43.040 They are just as guilty 00:14:43.040 --> 00:14:44.540 as you are before God. 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:46.500 And Jesus has come 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:47.839 also to save them. 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:50.439 And then you are to release 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:51.919 and absorb the offense. 00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:53.179 And then lastly, 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.500 which is, in my opinion, 00:14:54.579 --> 00:14:55.579 is probably the hardest one, 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:57.879 you are to aim 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.219 for reconciliation 00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:00.240 of the person. 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:01.399 You're aimed 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.219 to have relationship 00:15:02.219 --> 00:15:03.059 with that person. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:05.500 Now, Daniel, 00:15:05.599 --> 00:15:06.279 a couple weeks ago, 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.000 talked about 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:09.699 with his father 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:10.139 and the things 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:10.839 he's gone through. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.719 And I also 00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:14.299 have dealt with a father 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.559 who has not been the greatest. 00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:16.979 And I've kind of 00:15:16.979 --> 00:15:17.799 written him off. 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.859 For over half my life, 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:20.679 I haven't talked to him. 00:15:20.739 --> 00:15:21.719 He kind of just disappeared 00:15:21.719 --> 00:15:22.339 out of my life 00:15:22.339 --> 00:15:22.899 when I was 18. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:25.219 And going through this text 00:15:25.219 --> 00:15:26.459 has really, 00:15:26.739 --> 00:15:27.799 it's kind of really 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:28.759 beat me up this week 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.179 that I, 00:15:29.339 --> 00:15:30.019 most likely, 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:31.459 I need to reach out to him. 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:33.500 And I need to try 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.600 to work through 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.660 forgiveness with him. 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.040 So I'm not up here 00:15:37.040 --> 00:15:38.040 just pointing a finger 00:15:38.040 --> 00:15:38.620 at you. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.720 You know the classic saying, 00:15:39.800 --> 00:15:40.379 you point a finger, 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:41.759 you have three or four 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.720 pointing back at you? 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.360 I'm up here, 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:46.040 I am someone 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:46.759 who also needs 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.660 to forgive deeply. 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.460 I have many things 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.080 I need to work through. 00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:53.080 So the thing is, 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:54.519 for the king, 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:55.660 the king in this parable 00:15:55.660 --> 00:15:56.200 to forgive, 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.120 he would have to 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.019 no longer view 00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.580 the servant 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.800 as an offender, 00:16:00.800 --> 00:16:01.400 as one who 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.079 owes him money. 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.159 He would have to 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:03.500 view him 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.879 as a fellow citizen again. 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.259 Some commentators 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.079 on this text 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:09.100 have commented 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:10.139 that Jesus, 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.759 thinking about this servant 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:13.319 who has this immense debt, 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.539 it was only possible 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.620 that he was within 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.659 the king's court 00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:17.439 working with him. 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:19.199 So they say that 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:20.439 the king would have 00:16:20.439 --> 00:16:21.639 had to restore him 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:23.279 back to that job title 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.519 to truly forgive him. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:27.079 If any of these steps 00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:28.399 that Keller lays out, 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.960 he says, 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:29.819 aren't followed, 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:30.539 you haven't forgiven. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.539 Now I want to take 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.419 a moment here 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:35.399 to acknowledge 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:37.659 that some of us 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:38.399 in this room 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:40.179 have experienced 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:41.699 severe abuse 00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:42.779 from people. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.120 And the idea 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:45.259 of forgiving somebody 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.279 who's abused you 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.439 is quite difficult. 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:49.840 Or if you've experienced 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.740 church hurt, 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.419 leadership has hurt you 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.000 in a sense, 00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:54.179 and you have still 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.120 struggled with it, 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.960 I want to acknowledge that 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.899 because it's quite difficult 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.620 to do. 00:16:58.620 --> 00:17:00.240 or you've experienced 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.560 violence or slander 00:17:01.560 --> 00:17:02.519 or something else 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:02.980 from somebody 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:03.379 who's committed 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.039 towards you. 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.200 Or you've seen 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.119 church leadership 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:08.480 sweep under the rug 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:10.279 issues within the church 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.400 and say you just need 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.420 to forgive and move on. 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.279 You don't need 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.059 to address it. 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:16.480 That is wrong. 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:18.319 That is totally wrong. 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.619 And it's also 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.619 extremely hard 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:21.339 to work through 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.500 forgiveness in that way. 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.559 I want to acknowledge it. 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:24.940 Forgiveness isn't something 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.400 where you just 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:26.440 snap your finger 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.080 and move on. 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.000 It is something 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.440 that could take 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.779 a lifetime to work through. 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:32.299 And also we see 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.080 in this section, 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.080 before we move on 00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:34.880 to the next section, 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:37.059 that unforgiveness 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:38.019 is visible. 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.380 The servants see 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.320 the other servant 00:17:41.320 --> 00:17:42.460 not forgiving 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.519 the servant of the debt 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:45.759 or working with him 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.779 in the debt. 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:48.400 They just see it. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:48.960 It's visible. 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.519 Unforgiveness 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.720 is visible. 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.279 It's interesting 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.279 because forgiveness 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.940 is not visible. 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:56.019 It happens 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.500 behind closed doors. 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:57.940 It happens 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:58.740 within your heart. 00:17:59.200 --> 00:17:59.960 But unforgiveness 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.940 is outward. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.000 It's visible. 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:02.740 You can see it. 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.779 That's what we see 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.620 from the text here. 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.180 And the thing is 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.960 Jesus doesn't 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.980 just stop here. 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.880 He doubles down 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.360 on it 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:12.400 and he makes it 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:13.559 even more serious. 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.440 It's more serious 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.100 than we think. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:17.240 Verses 32 to 35. 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.720 Then his master 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.820 summoned him 00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:22.779 and said to him, 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.340 you wicked servant, 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.559 I forgave you 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.639 all that debt 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:28.259 because you pleaded 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.839 with me 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:30.539 and should not 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.740 you have had mercy 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.759 on your fellow servant 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.839 as I had had mercy 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:34.279 on you? 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.579 In anger 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.240 his master 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.899 delivered him 00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:37.740 to the jailers 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.779 until he should 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.819 pay all his debt. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.359 So also 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:42.299 my heavenly father 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:42.980 will do to 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.899 every one of you 00:18:43.899 --> 00:18:44.959 if you do not 00:18:44.959 --> 00:18:45.759 forgive your brother 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:47.240 from your heart. 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.579 So Jesus 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:49.379 doubles down 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:50.980 and what does 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.679 the king do? 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:53.320 he gives him 00:18:53.320 --> 00:18:54.340 over to the 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.060 same punishment 00:18:55.060 --> 00:18:56.140 that he approved 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:57.200 for that servant 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:57.960 to go through 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.680 that he sent 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.180 to jail. 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.140 The king just 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.580 gives him 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:01.480 what he already 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.420 approved. 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:03.940 The thing that we 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.880 see from this text 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.680 we see in verse 26 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:08.019 that you cannot 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.200 earn your salvation. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.019 The servant says 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:12.720 let me just go 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.320 and work 00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:14.200 and I'll pay 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.740 for it. 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.880 I'll repay the debt. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.620 See you see here 00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.420 you cannot repay 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:17.940 your debt 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.560 to God. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.960 It's impossible. 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:21.539 And then you also 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.100 see here 00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:22.900 in verse 32 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:24.480 and also in verse 26 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.640 is that you cannot 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.360 grovel 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:27.700 for your salvation. 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.620 You cannot plead 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.200 for it. 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.220 It's impossible. 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:30.819 It's not going 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.299 to get there. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.360 You cannot repay 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:32.779 your debt 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.600 by groveling. 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.640 You cannot repay 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.519 your debt to God 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.600 by trying to earn it. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.620 The only way 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:40.819 that we stand 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.900 right before God 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:43.100 within his forgiveness 00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:44.920 is through a changed heart 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:46.480 is when we just 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.400 come before him 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:47.680 and say 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.539 Lord have mercy 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:48.960 on me 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.420 a sinner. 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:51.759 See those 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.840 who cannot forgive 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:55.559 will not like heaven. 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.340 The reason why 00:19:59.340 --> 00:20:00.460 is because the only way 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.100 to heaven 00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:02.240 is through mercy 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.539 is through the forgiveness 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.340 through Christ. 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:06.220 Then the only songs 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.079 within heaven 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.980 are going to be 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.680 about forgiveness 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:10.220 and divine grace. 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.480 See we notice here 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.140 how the servant 00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:15.120 has already been forgiven 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:17.319 before he has the opportunity 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.140 to forgive. 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:20.940 See forgiveness works 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.960 when we forgive 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.820 out of our hearts 00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:23.560 because our hearts 00:20:23.560 --> 00:20:24.140 are changed 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:24.840 by the forgiveness 00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:25.640 of Christ. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.480 That Christ 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.400 on the cross 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.580 that we get the free 00:20:29.580 --> 00:20:30.300 gift of forgiveness 00:20:30.300 --> 00:20:30.960 through that. 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:31.860 It's only when we're 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.700 changed through that 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.500 that we can forgive. 00:20:35.060 --> 00:20:36.240 Forgiveness doesn't work 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.780 when you think 00:20:36.780 --> 00:20:37.580 I must forgive 00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:39.460 and then I'll be forgiven. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.160 That doesn't work 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:40.660 like that. 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:42.220 But forgiveness 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.440 here is also 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.400 more freeing 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:45.160 than we think 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:47.840 because it's only 00:20:47.840 --> 00:20:48.620 possible through 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:49.140 the gospel. 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.640 We can't do it 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.259 on our own. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:53.500 See this illustration 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:55.060 that Jesus uses 00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:55.820 is one of those 00:20:55.820 --> 00:20:56.480 throw it back 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.080 in the face 00:20:57.080 --> 00:20:58.100 at the person listening. 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.420 Nathan the prophet 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.380 does it to Daniel 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:00.940 when he sins 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:01.640 with Bathsheba 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.200 and he comes 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.580 before him 00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:03.540 and tells the illustration 00:21:03.540 --> 00:21:04.000 to him. 00:21:04.300 --> 00:21:05.180 It's one of those. 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:06.580 It gets thrown back 00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:06.920 at you. 00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:07.640 Jesus is being 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.720 very clever here 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.579 when he does this. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.660 It's only through 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.240 the gospel 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.279 when you are 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.380 transformed by it 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:15.500 that you can forgive 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.960 your brother and sister 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.740 because if you don't 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.059 forgive, 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.019 if you're not 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.740 changed by it, 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.500 you're trapped 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.500 within it. 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:22.960 You're trapped 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.380 within a jail 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:26.539 and you let the person 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.680 who's offended you 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.700 or who's done 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.680 something against you 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:31.079 to have power 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.700 over you 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.400 even when they've 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.059 moved on. 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.759 All your decisions 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.799 are based 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:37.680 on that action 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.680 of unforgiveness 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.560 all your, 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.660 how you view 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.140 yourself 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:41.820 are based 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:42.600 on that action 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:43.440 of unforgiveness 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.920 but the gospel 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:47.060 frees you from that. 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.560 Jesus went to the cross 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:51.140 because he knew 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:52.560 all our struggles. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.320 He knew all the sin 00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:55.480 that we do daily 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:57.620 and that is when you get the, 00:21:57.820 --> 00:21:59.100 when we look on the cross, 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.820 when we gather together 00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:02.060 and give praise 00:22:02.060 --> 00:22:02.740 to Christ, 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.779 to God 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:06.279 about what he did 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.080 on the cross. 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:09.699 anything is possible 00:22:09.699 --> 00:22:11.579 and it's only possible 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.579 when we're on our knees 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.480 before Christ 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.439 and we say, 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:14.899 Christ, 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:16.539 come into my life 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.460 and help me. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.720 Later in the service, 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:21.980 we come to the point, 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.839 we say it every week 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.579 in the liturgy 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:25.919 and it's on page nine 00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:26.919 when we get to say it 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.519 and we say it 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.220 after communion 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:30.720 and it's all our problems 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:33.160 we send to Christ crucified. 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.940 All our fears 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:36.779 we send to Christ crucified. 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.940 All assaults to the devil 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:40.420 we send to Christ crucified. 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.720 Then we can say 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.559 all the things 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.860 that have been done to us 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:45.799 that we struggle with constantly 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:47.360 we send to Christ crucified. 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.259 This isn't just 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:52.140 slap a band-aid on it saying. 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:52.839 It's something 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:54.980 that is truly life-changing. 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:57.519 The gospel changes our lives 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.740 and then we can set 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.500 all our hopes. 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.920 We can set it 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.879 on the risen son 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:03.559 because that's the gospel. 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.680 The gospel is that 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:07.259 we have this great hope 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:09.559 that Christ will come again. 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:11.619 Then as we apply it 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.740 to our lives daily, 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:14.720 we can become more like him. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.119 That is the great hope. 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.920 That is what Jesus 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.099 is talking about here 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.259 in the illustration. 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.980 So if you're like me 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.579 and you struggle 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.220 with forgiveness, 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:23.259 you struggle with things 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.859 in your life, 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.400 go to Christ. 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:25.519 Christ, 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:27.720 come before him 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.860 and ask him to help you 00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:30.060 daily in your walk 00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:30.759 with unforgiveness. 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.440 Let us pray. 00:23:34.820 --> 00:23:35.740 Heavenly Father, 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.280 we give you thanks 00:23:37.280 --> 00:23:37.880 and praise 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.980 that you have provided 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.620 your son 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:42.759 to make us right before you. 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:45.040 That you give us a way, 00:23:45.300 --> 00:23:45.440 Lord, 00:23:45.580 --> 00:23:46.500 through all the things 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.460 that we struggle with. 00:23:47.560 --> 00:23:48.140 That we can just 00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:49.100 give them the Christ. 00:23:49.780 --> 00:23:51.019 We can give all our problems, 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.960 all our fears. 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:53.700 That we can set our hope 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:55.220 on your risen son. 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.280 And the hope 00:23:56.280 --> 00:23:57.340 that he will return 00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:58.940 and we'll stand before him 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.740 face to face. 00:24:00.540 --> 00:24:01.660 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:02.460 Amen.