WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.560 --> 00:00:19.820 Well, good morning. Happy Memorial Day weekend, especially in a town like this where so many serve. 00:00:20.539 --> 00:00:26.780 Those of you who may be grieving through the Memorial Day or someone that has made the ultimate sacrifice, 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:32.880 I want to say thank you. Thank you for those of you who serve to give us the opportunity to do something like preach in a free country. 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:39.719 Memorial Day is the time of year where things kind of end as well in school, right? 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:43.820 We've got a lot of graduations going on. We've got high school. We've got kindergarten. 00:00:44.540 --> 00:00:47.859 We've got kindergarten graduations that look like college graduations. 00:00:48.939 --> 00:00:52.859 And we have college kids coming back home and figuring out what they're going to do with their life. 00:00:52.859 --> 00:00:58.539 And we are so happy to have all of you here, and I hope you feel welcome this morning. 00:00:58.640 --> 00:01:01.920 But it's also a time where we work on our house, isn't it? 00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:08.560 About a year ago, my wife noticed that we had a small water stain on our ceiling. 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:15.640 So I went to the attic. I located it. I saw that it was dry above the ceiling there. 00:01:15.659 --> 00:01:19.260 And then I narrowed it down to the gutter that was outside that part of the house. 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:28.740 So one Sunday, I decided to get up on the roof and check out the gutter to see if it was backed up, you know, and causing water to come in right there. 00:01:29.800 --> 00:01:33.359 So I get my wife to hold the ladder, and I get up there. 00:01:33.939 --> 00:01:38.620 When I'm about halfway up the roof, I realize that this is a very steep pitch. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:40.780 This is steeper than any roof I've ever been on in my life. 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:43.340 And I'm deathly afraid of heights. 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:47.200 Jumping out of an airplane does not conquer that height. I've done it. 00:01:47.340 --> 00:01:48.680 It does not work. It's still there. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:54.840 But the distance between me and the ladder, which, you know, the ladder's down here, it was so high. 00:01:55.480 --> 00:02:00.180 And I had the choice of figuring out how to get back down to that because it was not going any higher. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:06.580 But if I had just slid, my feet would have hit, and I would have flown off face first off the roof, which is a two-story house. 00:02:07.440 --> 00:02:09.640 And I didn't want to do that. 00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:15.259 So I was sitting there stuck thinking, how am I going to keep myself from flying off here? 00:02:15.799 --> 00:02:18.919 And how can I get back down to that ladder with the least amount of pain? 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:23.839 So my wife, Anna Catherine, she was freaking out a little bit. 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:28.039 And she's saying things like, I need to call a man to help you, Derek. 00:02:29.400 --> 00:02:31.439 And I said, well, I am a man. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:32.759 I think. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:36.780 Last time I checked, she said, well, I need someone else here to help. 00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:38.300 So I literally sat there a minute. 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:38.879 I prayed. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:40.080 I was stuck. 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:41.439 I was shaking a little bit. 00:02:41.819 --> 00:02:43.300 Then after a while, I just kind of chilled out. 00:02:43.920 --> 00:02:44.900 Neighbors start walking by. 00:02:44.979 --> 00:02:45.699 There's a walking path. 00:02:46.020 --> 00:02:48.139 I was exposed to the neighbors there. 00:02:48.199 --> 00:02:48.740 I'm just sitting there. 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:49.599 Hey, what are you doing, Derek? 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:52.520 Well, I'm just trying to figure out how not to break my neck. 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:53.280 Just go on. 00:02:53.840 --> 00:02:55.780 And this is very embarrassing, right? 00:02:56.699 --> 00:03:00.199 And so I decided the best way down was to slide on my side. 00:03:00.259 --> 00:03:01.000 And I did. 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:03.099 And just let my flesh rip. 00:03:03.259 --> 00:03:07.340 And that to keep me from getting too much hurt. 00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:09.199 That hurt was better than the greater hurt. 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:10.659 And that's what I did. 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:12.680 And I can laugh about that now. 00:03:13.620 --> 00:03:17.039 My leg and my arm, though, this whole side of my body were bleeding and raw. 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:17.719 And it hurt bad. 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:19.319 But why do I tell that story? 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:24.039 Well, much like on that roof, the words of Scripture expose us. 00:03:24.039 --> 00:03:26.599 And sometimes they make us feel very stuck. 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:34.180 Much like my leg and my arm, it shows us where our lives are raw and our souls are bleeding. 00:03:34.759 --> 00:03:36.859 It shows us the true pathway to safety. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:39.299 But there's always a risk involved. 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:45.120 And today, these words that we read are ultimately going to be about forgiveness, one of the greatest risks. 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:47.500 Where we risk our reputation. 00:03:48.139 --> 00:03:49.379 We risk our pride. 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:51.919 We risk our relationships of comfort. 00:03:52.079 --> 00:03:52.780 But for what? 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:56.460 And it's for authentic life, I do believe. 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:59.740 These words were written by Matthew that we're going to read this morning. 00:03:59.860 --> 00:04:00.539 Words of Jesus. 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:02.719 He's speaking to his disciple, Peter. 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:05.379 Who's just asked a very targeted question. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:09.840 How many times do I actually have to forgive someone who keeps hurting me? 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:17.180 And remember, like all of us, he's struggling to understand exactly what the kingdom of God is. 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:20.860 That kingdom that turns this world upside down. 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:25.660 When really, it's our perspective that needs to be turned right side up. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:28.860 And that only happens when we encounter the word of God. 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:32.699 So when we talk about forgiveness this morning, here's the term I mean when I say forgiveness. 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:34.939 The freeing of a person from guilt. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:38.159 The freeing of a person from consequences, including punishment. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:45.719 It's usually an act of favor, compassion, or love with the aim of restoring a relationship that's been broken. 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:46.920 Okay? 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:49.259 There are so many different ways to discuss forgiveness. 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:55.159 It could be from the practical, here's how you do it, to the microscopic analysis of what is it. 00:04:55.779 --> 00:05:04.539 This morning, I want us to swim in the waters of the core, the seed, the root, the being of what is forgiveness. 00:05:05.339 --> 00:05:14.139 And today's parable teaches us that true forgiveness at its core is authentic, never-ending, and transformational. 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:18.920 First, true forgiveness is authentic. 00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:21.180 And actually, I'm going to stop and pray just for a second. 00:05:21.339 --> 00:05:22.339 I'd like to do that if you don't mind. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:31.279 Lord, I stand here as sinner, just like everyone in this room, before you, only accessing your throne of grace by the blood of Jesus. 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:34.599 And I pray right now you would speak your word by your spirit through me. 00:05:34.980 --> 00:05:37.719 You would touch the hearts of the people here where they need to be touched. 00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:42.060 And Father, that you would mend our souls together in a way that only you can. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:46.240 Thank you for your word, and thank you for the truth, Jesus, that you are alive. 00:05:46.539 --> 00:05:47.459 It's in your name I pray. 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:48.180 Amen. 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:51.060 So first, true forgiveness is authentic. 00:05:51.860 --> 00:05:54.539 You can't give what you don't have. 00:05:55.500 --> 00:06:03.659 And so before we jump into just reading the parable, I think it's important to focus on the foundation of authenticity of a relationship first. 00:06:04.480 --> 00:06:07.180 Like, have you ever been in an interaction with somebody? 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:09.459 It starts off one way. 00:06:09.780 --> 00:06:11.060 And it ends up another. 00:06:11.860 --> 00:06:16.199 It seems like one thing at the start, and by the end of it, it's a completely different thing. 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:18.000 Here's an example. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:19.639 I had one of these interactions on Facebook. 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:22.680 So this guy texted me. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:26.720 I thought he was a friend of mine from D.C. because he had a flag behind his profile picture. 00:06:26.819 --> 00:06:29.639 But then after I accepted it, I get this text. 00:06:30.100 --> 00:06:31.180 I'm the one in blue. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:32.800 How are you doing today? 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:34.079 Doing well, thanks. 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:34.319 You? 00:06:34.779 --> 00:06:35.439 I'm fine. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:37.300 Are you female or male? 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:40.000 How do we know each other again? 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:40.879 What do you mean? 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:42.339 You friended me. 00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:43.060 I said, oin. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:43.600 Don't hate. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:44.719 You friended me, oin. 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:45.120 Facebook. 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:47.339 But how do we actually know each other? 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:58.279 Well, I'm just searching for a friend on mine, and I cross your beautiful face, and I add you as my friend so that we'll can know more about ourself here in Facebook. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:06:59.420 Are you female or male? 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:00.800 I'm out. 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:02.000 Creep on somewhere else. 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:03.319 Okay. 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:04.160 Are you female? 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:13.819 So that Facebook ends up being a complete waste of my time, right? 00:07:13.960 --> 00:07:14.900 It's not authentic. 00:07:14.900 --> 00:07:19.500 That is not an authentic relationship, but it even masquerades under the term friend. 00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:24.540 Have you ever thought that sometimes that's how we practice forgiveness? 00:07:25.400 --> 00:07:31.960 Perhaps we call forgiveness something that really forgiveness is not at all, and it's just masquerading as such. 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:39.840 Many times we call forgiveness, when something we call forgiveness is just a way for us to really manage somebody else's opinion of us. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:48.680 When true forgiveness is never possible, if all we're going to do is use that word as a means to manage your opinion of me or you. 00:07:49.200 --> 00:07:50.280 And it goes something like this. 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:55.899 Somebody offends you, and the Christian thing to do is to quickly forgive, because we've heard that in sermons. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:58.379 But in reality, we're so quick to say, no, no, no, no, I'll forgive you. 00:07:58.759 --> 00:07:59.779 You've got to say forgiveness, son. 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:00.719 Say forgiveness right now. 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:01.319 Go to forgiveness. 00:08:01.739 --> 00:08:01.939 Right? 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:10.019 That we don't sometimes take the time and the work necessary for us to even really offer anything that resembles forgiveness. 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:14.660 Because we just have this knee-jerk forgiveness or lip service. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:18.279 And those are not the bricks used to build the kingdom of God. 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:20.939 He calls us to something that's authentic. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:24.180 And authenticity is of the heart. 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:25.740 And it requires time. 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:26.720 It requires thought. 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:31.060 It requires the ability to point the finger right back at our own hearts first. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:36.700 And in the Bible, Will said so great last week when he defined the kingdom of God. 00:08:37.040 --> 00:08:40.519 The kingdom of God is wherever Yahweh is worshipped, trusted, and obeyed. 00:08:41.040 --> 00:08:44.500 Where his reign is active and people submit to him as king. 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:50.379 So we as a church seek to see his kingdom advance in our hearts and our lives here and everywhere. 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:54.120 People more and more trusting and following the king. 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:57.779 And it's also used to talk about eternity when you hear that word. 00:08:58.120 --> 00:09:03.039 When the rule of King Jesus will be fully, finally established in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:07.919 And in the kingdom of God, true forgiveness is authentic. 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:09.500 But you can't give what you don't have. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:11.899 When I say it's authentic, I mean it's original. 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:12.720 It looks different. 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:13.840 It sparkles a bit. 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:19.740 It catches your eye because it's so completely opposite from the way that our world functions. 00:09:20.560 --> 00:09:23.379 But it's exactly how the kingdom of God functions. 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:30.360 And it only functions this way because it's made up of people who have first received something authentic. 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:33.600 If we look at verse 21 here. 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:37.059 Then Peter came up and said to him, 00:09:37.419 --> 00:09:41.980 Lord, how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him? 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:44.100 As many as seven times? 00:09:44.100 --> 00:09:50.360 Guys, this is the beginning and I think the makings of an authentic relationship. 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:54.940 Authenticity, what we all long for in our relationships with each other. 00:09:55.960 --> 00:09:59.960 The safest people are those that are real with us, right? 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:01.480 That have a heart of love. 00:10:01.920 --> 00:10:04.100 That have the real conversations with us. 00:10:04.920 --> 00:10:06.860 Those are the relationships that take time. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:12.139 And the most important relationship that you'll ever have is the one between you and God. 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:16.980 That relationship is going to then become the foundation of all other relationships. 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:22.680 And a relationship with God is built on the foundation of authentic forgiveness first. 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:28.240 That forgiveness is found, though, through a relationship of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:29.440 You've heard about these things. 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:31.840 You can't give what you don't have, though. 00:10:32.540 --> 00:10:37.500 And in verse 21 here, that relationship portrayed between Peter and Jesus is authentic. 00:10:38.280 --> 00:10:41.260 Notice it's based on trust, safety, love. 00:10:42.020 --> 00:10:44.340 Peter clearly has the freedom to be real. 00:10:44.780 --> 00:10:46.200 He asks a very tough question. 00:10:46.880 --> 00:10:49.160 And Jesus doesn't respond by shaming him, does he? 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:54.040 Is that the sort of relationship that you have with Jesus? 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:59.659 Or do you perform for him and fear his judgment all the time? 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:06.439 Do you stay busy doing Christian things all the time so much that you don't have time to really spend with him? 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:12.559 Are you so busy with life that you don't know how to even think about a relationship with Jesus right now? 00:11:13.459 --> 00:11:19.139 Or do you struggle with believing that his words have any significance at all in this day and age? 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:28.480 None of those descriptions I just said are depicting the sort of relationship with Jesus that's healthy or biblical or that he wants with you. 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:31.620 Jesus is not burdensome. 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:34.240 His yoke is easy, he says. 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:36.000 He promises rest for your soul. 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:37.399 He promises life. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:38.439 He promises purpose. 00:11:38.939 --> 00:11:40.039 He promises meaning. 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:44.539 And in this passage between Peter and Jesus, we see that interaction. 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.299 It's free. 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:46.860 Free to take questions. 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:48.439 It's free to take burdens. 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:50.100 It's free to take frustrations. 00:11:50.760 --> 00:11:54.880 And then it's reciprocated with truth, guidance, and words of life from Jesus. 00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:57.160 Where differences are welcomed. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:59.480 Where true unity is possible. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:01.240 It reminds me of Hebrews 4. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:06.260 That we can always approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find help in our time of need. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.180 Jesus is our king. 00:12:09.020 --> 00:12:10.100 We owe him due honor. 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:12.240 But he's a king who's our brother. 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:14.900 That's what faith does. 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:15.980 It transforms. 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:17.640 Which we'll get to later. 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:18.439 So does forgiveness. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.679 Jesus has never been a phony. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:24.519 He doesn't want a relationship with you that is phony. 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:28.960 In fact, he wants all of your heart so that he can recreate your heart. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:32.860 And allow you to be a partner in renovating the earth. 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:34.620 One relationship at a time. 00:12:35.699 --> 00:12:37.899 Renovating the world with authenticity. 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:41.340 Don't run from these types of relationships with people. 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:45.139 And don't give up on this type of relationship with Jesus if you're struggling with it. 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:49.699 In fact, go the extra mile to create them with the people in your life. 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:52.720 Martin Luther said it this way. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:56.980 After faith in Christ, loving and forgiving others should be our primary concern. 00:12:57.759 --> 00:13:02.980 If we are unwilling to forgive, we can be certain that we won't be forgiven ourselves. 00:13:04.300 --> 00:13:05.680 Anne Lamott said this way. 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:09.940 Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die. 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:14.040 Now, you can't give what you don't have. 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:19.540 Are you longing for more than just that passerby conversation with God? 00:13:20.520 --> 00:13:24.040 Maybe it starts by revisiting your relationship with God today. 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:28.020 And this is a safe place where you can do that. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:30.900 And these are people that you can do that with. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:32.660 True forgiveness is authentic. 00:13:32.800 --> 00:13:35.140 True forgiveness is also never ending. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:38.740 It goes on and on and on. 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:43.840 And in Matthew 18, 21 through 35, we'll jump into the parable now. 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:48.559 Jesus is telling us a story also known as a parable. 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:53.620 And parables are fictional stories or illustrations in language that's easy to understand. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:56.480 And they're used to communicate deep concepts. 00:13:57.340 --> 00:14:02.460 And I love how even Jesus' fiction or parables have factual outcomes. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:04.799 He's the master teacher. 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:09.379 And this parable teaches us about what true forgiveness looks like. 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:12.379 So, let's take a moment to read these verses. 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.120 I'll read them for us. 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:15.419 Then Peter came up and said to him, 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:18.860 Lord, how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him? 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:20.679 As many as seven times? 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:25.000 Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times, but 77 times. 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:30.899 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:35.779 And when he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents. 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:43.840 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold with his wife and children and all that he had and payment to be made. 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:50.540 So, the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, have patience with me and I will pay you everything. 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:55.799 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 00:14:55.799 --> 00:15:01.099 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii. 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:05.919 And seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, pay what you owe. 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:11.179 So, his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, have patience with me and I will pay you. 00:15:11.839 --> 00:15:15.799 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:20.919 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed. 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:24.419 And they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:31.079 Then his master summoned him and said to him, you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:35.759 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you? 00:15:36.219 --> 00:15:40.719 And in anger, his master delivered him to the jailers until he should pay all his debt. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:47.339 So also my heavenly father will do to every one of you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart. 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:51.560 Well, that's a lot. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:58.420 And I'm going to restate kind of what's going on because it's a lot of information and getting the characters and the story and the plot. 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:01.840 And in this parable, there's a king who has many servants. 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.480 One of them owes a lot of money. 00:16:04.540 --> 00:16:06.120 It said 10,000 talents. 00:16:06.420 --> 00:16:09.139 Now, one talent was the equivalent of 20 years' salary. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:15.080 So, I've heard it said that in this particular account, that's like $7 million in today's money that he owed. 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:17.740 So, he owes this king $7 million. 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.759 And he doesn't have it. 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:21.139 So, what happens? 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:27.900 The king orders for him to be sold and all that he has, including his family, in order to pay that debt. 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:31.460 So, the servant falls on his knees and says, please give me some time. 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.420 I'll get you the money. 00:16:32.780 --> 00:16:34.360 And then the king has mercy on him. 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:34.820 Why? 00:16:35.520 --> 00:16:37.520 Because he has pity for him in the situation. 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:38.900 And because he pleaded. 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:42.959 So, he understands why he doesn't have the money. 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:46.840 And rather than require him to get the money, he says, don't worry about it. 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.039 You're free to go. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:50.279 And in that sense, he's forgiven the debt. 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:53.059 Well, then later, that same servant goes out. 00:16:53.459 --> 00:16:56.519 He has another servant under him who owes him 100 denarii. 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:58.980 That's about 100 days' worth of wages. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:03.120 So, if we're using the $7 million figure, then he owes about $100,000. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:07.299 So, these workers have high-paying jobs. 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.619 It's easy to overlook that. 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:10.819 What happens? 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:18.619 The servant who owes $100,000 pleads for mercy in the same way that his master, who was forgiven the $7 million debt that morning, had pleaded for mercy. 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:22.880 But instead of forgiving his debt, which was so much less, right? 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:28.779 $100,000 as opposed to $7 million, he grabs him by the neck, chokes him, and then throws him in prison. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:35.519 Well, the king finds out, calls him back in, and says, you wicked servant, I forgave you, and you should have forgiven your servant. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:38.619 So, he threw him in jail until he could get the money. 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:45.500 And if you read between the lines, he's never going to get out of jail because he can't pay the money from jail. 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:49.339 So, he's going to pay it through his life in prison. 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:52.859 But before that story was even told, did you catch what happened? 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:55.619 Jesus had just finished teaching about forgiveness. 00:17:56.379 --> 00:18:00.319 Peter walks up to him and says, hey, about that forgiveness stuff. 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:02.399 Let's say I want to do that thing. 00:18:02.939 --> 00:18:04.000 I want to forgive my brother. 00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:06.899 How many times do I actually have to do that? 00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:07.699 Like, seven times? 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:17.539 It's as if he's saying, how many times do I have to show favor to people who persecute me, cause me harm, yet ask for forgiveness? 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:20.699 Because it doesn't seem very beneficial for me, Jesus. 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:25.019 And Jesus looks at him and answers 77 times. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:34.840 That's his way of saying, there is no limit to the amount of times that you should forgive those who do you wrong, if they're willing to ask. 00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:38.779 Because true forgiveness is never ending. 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.779 It goes on and on and on. 00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:46.140 And there is no limit to the amount of times that God will forgive you if you're willing to ask. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:48.080 Willing to ask is what we call repentance. 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:50.660 Acknowledging our need of a Savior. 00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:55.920 Confessing our sadness over trying to do this life alone, apart from him. 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:59.660 Asking for relationship repair from him. 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:01.519 To heal that broken relationship. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:06.720 To give it, though, we've got to remember over and over who we've given it to. 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:09.460 And to be able to give it, we have to receive it. 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:14.579 And if we've truly received that gift of forgiveness, we realize that its results are forever. 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:15.840 It's never ending. 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:19.660 And only for that reason, we're able to give it over and over again. 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:23.420 And to do that, though, you've got to remember it over and over again. 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:28.380 And Jesus promises to forgive all your sins, past, present, and future. 00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:33.019 Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, as the Lord's Prayer says. 00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:36.640 Think of a ticking second hand on a clock. 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:39.940 I work out at the gym, and I do the plank. 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:42.240 And I see that second hand, and it's painful. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:44.320 You're waiting on it to go around for 30 seconds. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:51.380 Well, every time that clock ticks, you have to think about the people you've forgiven and remember them. 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:55.120 It's not this one-time thing that then you move on with your life. 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:57.460 It's a one-time thing with ongoing consequences. 00:19:58.260 --> 00:20:00.740 Ongoing life change, if you're a better way of saying it. 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:03.720 You ever wonder why we're called sheep in the Bible? 00:20:04.520 --> 00:20:07.020 Because sheep are some of the most forgetful creatures on earth. 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:12.800 So Jesus says 77 times, Peter, but we want our metrics, don't we? 00:20:12.800 --> 00:20:13.380 Just like Peter. 00:20:13.580 --> 00:20:14.920 Tell me how many times. 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:20.180 Tell me my morality checkbox so that I know that I'm making progress in my Christian life, 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:22.299 that I'm managing like a portfolio, Jesus. 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.360 I need to know that. 00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:26.100 Jesus flips the script. 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.440 He turns it around, doesn't he? 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:30.080 And he's reminding us that God wants surrender. 00:20:31.060 --> 00:20:32.279 He wants true repentance. 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:38.600 It's less about performance, which is religion, which is what most of the world hates about church. 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:41.820 And it's more about surrender, which is about faith, 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:44.880 a change of heart and an acceptance of what someone else has done. 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:49.340 And the difference between Christianity and every other religion is the difference between two words, 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:51.480 doing and done. 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:55.259 In Christianity, all has been done on your behalf. 00:20:56.199 --> 00:20:59.779 I think if you asked an apple tree what it worries about the most in an orchard, 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.059 what do you think it'd say? 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:05.959 How good its fruit looks and tastes so that it's everyone's favorite tree in the orchard, 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:10.099 and then it'll have a long life, unlike the trees that don't produce fruit, 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:12.459 that are uprooted and thrown out and burnt. 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:17.180 But in reality, that apple tree should be less concerned about its fruit 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:19.400 and be most concerned about water. 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:23.900 Because without roots in the right places, there's never going to be any fruit. 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:26.140 And without roots in the right nourishment, 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:30.860 we're going to turn forgiveness into performance just like Peter was doing. 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:34.759 And this is precisely what Jesus is warning us against. 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:36.200 The servant begs for mercy. 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.920 He receives mercy. 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:41.480 Then he creates the situation for someone else that he's just been freed from. 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:44.380 And rather than forgiving his servant, he leaves unchanged. 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.840 His roots weren't in the right places. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:50.460 His forgiveness was fake, and it was about performance. 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:53.340 He received it just to get something for himself. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:22:01.299 And I fear many times that we treat forgiveness in the church like a business transaction 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:06.019 instead of a life-altering relational practice that leads to transformation. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.220 And I don't know. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:12.299 Maybe that's why so many people in churches are afraid to be themselves. 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:16.119 It reminds me of James 1.24. 00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:17.720 I think we've got that verse. 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:21.079 If anyone's a hearer of the word and not a doer, 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:24.160 he's like a man who looks intently at his natural face in the mirror, 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:26.519 for he looks at himself and he goes away. 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:28.960 At once he forgets what he was like. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:34.100 I was visiting with a counselor a few years ago by the name of Andy Garner, 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:36.559 and we were discussing something called generational sin. 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:41.480 For example, if somebody grows up in an environment where they've been abused 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:45.259 or in a home that was filled with anger or pessimism, 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:49.480 chances are much higher that they're going to create that environment for someone else 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:51.299 unless something happens. 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:55.740 And he said that the only way for that cycle to change generationally in families, 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.700 he's seen it over and over, 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.859 is when someone says, 00:22:58.240 --> 00:23:00.740 I don't want to do this or be this way anymore. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:03.079 But for that to truly happen, 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:06.940 it requires a power outside of that person to see it accomplished 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:09.539 because they are not strong enough to do that on their own. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:14.579 Well, Jesus is that difference for us. 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:17.920 He is that well. 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:21.039 He is that nourishment that we must rest the roots of our souls in. 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:24.319 He's providing himself, his people, and his church 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:30.920 as the family of support to restore a decaying us in a decaying world. 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:34.839 And when we live authentically, the results are never-ending. 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:39.599 And we become like light, shining forgiveness in the darkness of this performance world. 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:43.539 He offers us forgiveness that we can never attain on our own 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:45.679 so that we can stop and say, 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:50.359 I'm not going to continue the cycle of this destruction anymore that's left because of sin. 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:53.459 I'm going to live as an ambassador of Christ. 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.459 I'm going to surrender to Jesus, 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:57.579 which is about identity. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.539 It's about letting go of ourselves 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:02.539 and completely trusting the power of another, 00:24:02.699 --> 00:24:05.559 trusting one truth above all others. 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:07.799 Jesus says he is the truth. 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:10.519 Are we here today accepting the forgiveness of God, 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:13.539 yet holding others in debt to us? 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:17.019 That's prison, and it gets deeper. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:20.440 Or are we surrendering to the one who gives it? 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.279 Corrie ten Boom says, 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:25.240 Forgiveness is like setting a prisoner free, 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:27.240 only to realize that the prisoner is you. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:30.779 It's freedom from our prisons forever. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.799 We have to talk about the prison. 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:34.640 The word calls me to talk about the prison. 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:38.079 It's not just simply us feeling bad and being angry. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.940 There's a temporal prison, 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:41.740 meaning in this time zone, 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.039 in this time frame, 00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:44.339 in our life, space, and time. 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:46.519 There's also an eternal prison. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.900 So if you don't forgive someone, 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.140 you are going to get, 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.380 as Bruce Hornsby says, 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.559 you keep carrying that anger, 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.920 it'll eat you up inside. 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:57.180 And true forgiveness is letting you out of that prison, 00:24:57.299 --> 00:25:00.200 but Jesus here is talking about something much larger than that. 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.039 He's talking about hell. 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:05.420 He's talking about eternal punishment. 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:08.120 He calls it the lake of fire. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:11.940 If we haven't received the forgiveness of God 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:13.940 through faith in our King, 00:25:14.580 --> 00:25:16.500 we remain in that prison forever. 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:20.279 In that way, we've chosen to pay our own debt 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.720 through eternal life in prison. 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:26.440 That's why it is so important to understand. 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:30.920 Jesus offers you the forgiveness of every debt 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:32.200 that you could ever owe God 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:34.700 that is left by sin in this world. 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:37.180 And that freedom is the foundation for you 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:39.680 to forgive the debt of others. 00:25:40.080 --> 00:25:42.539 And living that truth will transform not only you, 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:45.100 but it will transform the world around you. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.660 That's why true forgiveness is transformational. 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:52.840 It changes us and the world around us. 00:25:53.540 --> 00:25:54.680 And in this parable, 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:56.960 Jesus tells us the story of a servant 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:58.720 who walks away completely unchanged. 00:25:58.820 --> 00:26:00.620 And in fact, he does the opposite 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.740 of what he's supposed to. 00:26:02.560 --> 00:26:04.380 In doing so, he becomes a hypocrite. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:06.120 We all say that we hate hypocrites. 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.779 Hypocrites are stage actors. 00:26:08.140 --> 00:26:10.440 That's what that meant in the Bible terms. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:12.160 And in the case of forgiveness, 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:14.299 and in this parable, hypocrisy looks like this. 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:16.500 We're willing to accept something for ourselves 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.940 and our own selfish gain, 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:20.380 but we're not going to give it to someone else 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.640 if it costs something of us. 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.180 That's performance. 00:26:23.820 --> 00:26:25.500 That is man-centered religion. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:28.059 That's a mere business transaction. 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.680 But Jesus calls us to surrender. 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:32.559 And he turns the tables on us, 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:36.240 and he teaches us here about serious forgiveness. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:40.000 If we don't give it, do we really have it? 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.539 That's the question that he causes us 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.620 to ask ourselves today. 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:46.839 Have we accepted the forgiveness of God? 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:48.640 If we have, it is transformational. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.799 It will show up in our lives, 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.940 in our thoughts, and how we treat others, 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.880 but it starts with the root. 00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:57.779 It doesn't start with the external fruit. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.359 I don't know about you, 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.240 but when I'm hurting, 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.700 the last person I want to talk to 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:06.180 is somebody that doesn't understand hurt. 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:09.500 The person who gives me a list of things to do 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.099 when I hurt, 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:11.279 and actually tells me 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:13.779 why I'm probably hurting in the first place 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.859 immediately while I'm hurting. 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:17.019 That's like the equivalent of going to a child 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.359 who's just skinned his knee and saying, 00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:20.420 think of all the other people with skinned knees 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.400 you're going to be able to help 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.519 while he's crying. 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:24.079 It is not helpful in that moment. 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:26.680 I just want to cry and be held. 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:30.240 Yes, I am the female in our relationship, 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:32.799 and I love that about women. 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:35.640 You bring out the truth in life many times, 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:37.200 and there's some of us men 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.520 who are also tender like that. 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:41.980 So, I don't know about you, 00:27:42.040 --> 00:27:43.560 but when I'm hurting, that's what I want. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:46.920 And that's because God's wired all of us for empathy. 00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.540 To quote Brad Griffin, 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:50.100 he's author of a book called Growing Young, 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:51.759 empathy is feeling with others. 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:54.680 It's sitting on the curb of somebody else's life, 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:56.000 journeying with them, 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:57.320 celebrating their dreams, 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.780 grieving alongside them in their despair. 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:01.700 And through Jesus, 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:04.440 God empathizes with us, doesn't he? 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:06.899 This is one of the reasons that Jesus wept 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:08.740 before he raised Lazarus from the dead. 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:10.180 We have a great high priest 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.839 who sympathizes with our weaknesses. 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:15.119 When we've experienced mercy and forgiveness, 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:17.660 then we're able to empathize with others 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.920 who need forgiveness from us. 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.660 We can identify those that are hurting, 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:23.339 and we can surrender to Jesus in those moments 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:25.480 as we offer them his love 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:27.279 through offering our forgiveness. 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.440 forgiveness. 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:29.539 It's countercultural to live that way, 00:28:29.639 --> 00:28:30.599 and it costs something. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.359 It's a risk. 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:33.399 But the results of living this way 00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:34.259 are transformational, 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:36.960 because true forgiveness is transformational. 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:38.740 It changes us and the world around us. 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:42.079 I've not really shared this story with anyone, 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:43.079 but I'll share it today. 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:46.500 About, I guess it's probably 15 years ago, 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:48.299 there was someone who worked for me, 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.660 and they left, 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.279 they were doing a really, 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.579 they were struggling with some things, 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.899 and they ended up leaving staff. 00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:59.940 And they blamed me for a lot of stuff, 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:03.620 including went to superiors and stuff like that. 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.400 It was very painful. 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:09.280 Well, fast forward, like 15 years later, 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:11.019 I'm in a situation 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:13.360 where I'm experiencing some of the things 00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:14.580 they said that they experienced. 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:18.700 And I thought to myself, 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:21.560 you know, I didn't really cause that for this person, 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:24.579 but if they're experiencing 1% 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:27.440 of even what I'm experiencing 100% of now, 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.759 I owe them a phone call. 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.599 But I didn't want to do it, right, 00:29:31.659 --> 00:29:32.599 because it costs something. 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:36.200 And I called them after I was in a spin class. 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:37.179 My wife teaches spin, 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:38.960 and there was this song 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:40.559 where the streets have no name by U2, 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.440 and I was just praying. 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.679 Whatever reason, 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.960 God just hit me in the face, 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.319 and he said, 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:45.279 you need to call that person. 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.500 You need to call them 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:48.220 when you get out of this class. 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.700 And I'm like, 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:50.900 no. 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.299 Absolutely not. 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.599 And he's like, 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:56.000 you're in prison. 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.740 Don't you want to be free? 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.920 And so I get out. 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:01.039 I even had to text someone 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.799 to get their number. 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:03.279 Miraculously right. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.440 They always text right back. 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:04.720 I'm like, 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.519 oh, they won't get back with me. 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:07.160 Bam, they get the number right back to me. 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.779 I call this person, 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:11.539 and they couldn't talk. 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:12.980 I left them a message. 00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:14.839 Hey, no, we hadn't talked to Trevor. 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:16.460 I need to talk to you about something. 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.079 You can be called. 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:17.880 This is awkward, right? 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.759 They call me back later that day, 00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:20.859 and I said, 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.119 hey, 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:24.000 this may not make any sense, 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:24.900 but I owe you an apology. 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.519 I'm not sure what I did, 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.539 and I definitely didn't try 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.440 to cause harm to you, 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.380 but I think I did, 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.579 and I'm sorry. 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.480 I need to ask your forgiveness. 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:34.480 And it was just silence 00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:36.079 on the other end of the phone. 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:38.660 And then I hear this voice that says, 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.680 thank you. 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:42.700 You have done the thing 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:44.380 that I've wanted to do for 10 years, 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:46.160 for 10 or 15 years, 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:47.560 but haven't been able to do. 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:49.320 And every time I take communion 00:30:49.320 --> 00:30:50.480 at church, 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.820 I think about how we're unreconciled. 00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:56.759 And then we talked. 00:30:56.820 --> 00:30:57.380 We caught up. 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:57.620 I said, 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.600 it's like we've pushed reset 00:30:58.600 --> 00:30:59.360 on the Nintendo. 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:01.120 The game is now set. 00:31:01.320 --> 00:31:01.540 You know, 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.880 it's a new game. 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.600 We couldn't even remember 00:31:03.600 --> 00:31:04.420 what we did to each other, 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.279 but we knew that we needed 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:06.080 to have that discussion. 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:08.579 And so then I get this text 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.439 this last year. 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:12.879 Hey, 00:31:12.939 --> 00:31:14.179 thanks for your call last Easter. 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.319 I'm grateful for it often. 00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:16.379 Hope you're all doing well 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:17.000 and happy Easter. 00:31:17.139 --> 00:31:17.539 You as well. 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:18.419 I'm grateful for you. 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.000 That's their name. 00:31:19.439 --> 00:31:20.639 And I'm thankful for forgiveness. 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:21.659 I hope you're well 00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:22.539 and happy Easter to you. 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:23.039 Loving Christ, 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.240 Eric. 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:23.679 Agreed. 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.379 Thanks so much 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.220 and loving Christ to you 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:25.699 and your family. 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.460 That's a year later. 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:27.980 You know, 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.220 I didn't talk anymore with them, 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:31.059 but in that moment, 00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:32.439 who do you think felt more free? 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.759 It was me. 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:36.299 I walked out of that temporal prison 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:38.259 only in the strength of Christ, 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:41.000 who's freed me from my eternal prison, 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:42.680 and he's now renovating the world 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:44.700 through me and through you, 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:46.559 one relationship at a time. 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:50.379 Christ bought us by paying for us, 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:52.119 by paying our debt, 00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:53.440 to set us free. 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.640 And when we experience true forgiveness, 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:57.819 only then are we able to give it. 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:59.799 Religion says the problem's other people. 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:02.240 The ability to change comes from within. 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.440 I need a God 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.960 who's going to make my life pain-free, 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.500 give me blessings all the time, 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.480 and fulfill my desires. 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:10.140 And the person who needs to be in charge is me. 00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:14.259 Relationships, surrender, repentance, forgiveness 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.059 says this. 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.620 The problem is me. 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.319 The ability to change 00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:19.799 has to come from the outside. 00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:21.120 I need grace. 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:23.859 I need a God who will deliver me 00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:25.220 from my own sinful desires 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:27.880 that I am incapable of escaping on my own. 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:30.880 And only God can be in charge of this. 00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:34.560 There's a movie that illustrates 00:32:34.560 --> 00:32:38.620 surrender and acceptance really well. 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.780 It's called Forrest Gump, 00:32:39.840 --> 00:32:40.420 if you haven't seen it. 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.880 And there's this character named Lieutenant Dan. 00:32:42.560 --> 00:32:45.680 And Lieutenant Dan loses his legs in Vietnam. 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:48.860 And then he goes on this journey of anger 00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:50.280 and trying to find himself. 00:32:50.780 --> 00:32:52.660 And he meets this guy, Forrest Gump, 00:32:52.700 --> 00:32:53.520 who just loves him, 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:56.200 just in a sweet, sweet way. 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:59.039 And Lieutenant Dan eventually ends up, 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.640 right after this huge storm, 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.740 on this boat where he's sailing. 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:05.259 He's yelling at God. 00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:06.380 He's saying, bring it on. 00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:08.480 And something happens after that moment 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.100 where he sees a peace. 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:12.299 And I'm going to show you a clip of that 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.500 rather than just talk about it. 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:16.240 Forrest, 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:25.000 I never thanked you for saving my life. 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.019 I never thanked you for saving my life. 00:33:25.019 --> 00:33:53.019 He never actually said so. 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:57.379 But I think he made his peace with God. 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:02.460 I love that clip. 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:06.200 A life transformed from anger and questioning 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:08.780 and pain to swimming in the sunset 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:12.300 with no legs and a smile on his face. 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:16.800 Forgiveness changes us and the world around us. 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:20.340 And ultimately, this parable is about us 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:21.420 as we relate to God. 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:23.360 God is that king. 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.760 We are the servants. 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.220 He's our creator. 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:27.260 We are his creatures. 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:29.159 And what he's telling us 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:30.300 is that he forgives us 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:31.579 not because of what we're doing 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:33.400 or because of what we've done, 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.740 but because of his compassion. 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:37.000 And he understands where you are. 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:39.000 He understands what you've been through. 00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:41.260 And you cannot make up the debt that you owe. 00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:43.000 Somebody said to me this past week, 00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:43.559 who's richer? 00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:46.680 Someone who has a million bucks in their pocket 00:34:46.679 --> 00:34:49.000 and has $999,000 in debt 00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:51.759 or someone with $5,000 to their name 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:52.899 and no debt to speak of. 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:57.379 My credit card says freedom right here on it. 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:02.019 I'm paying for this freedom. 00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:06.880 Is that what forgiveness is like for you? 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:08.300 Is this your relationship with God? 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:10.400 Paying that monthly fee 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:12.860 to get something that says freedom on it, 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.960 which is no freedom at all. 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:17.719 Many times the problem for us 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:19.420 is that we're comfortable in our own prisons. 00:35:20.219 --> 00:35:22.059 Oftentimes our comforts blind us 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:23.759 and we replace our contentment 00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:26.019 in Christ with our own self-made comforts. 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:30.179 While in the process forgetting Jesus and salvation. 00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:32.159 Ignorance is bliss, some say, 00:35:32.239 --> 00:35:33.840 but this is something that God promises 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:34.739 we cannot ignore. 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:37.380 Forgiveness is freedom forever. 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:40.420 Accepting the debt that's been paid in your behalf 00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:41.539 but not being forgiven 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:44.239 is prison forever in eternity. 00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:47.039 Christ refers to that as Gehenna, 00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:48.880 the second death in the lake of fire. 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:51.219 And we're very awake when we are there. 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:54.460 But God is a God of compassion 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:56.059 and does not wish for you to be there. 00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:57.940 2 Peter 3.9 says, 00:35:58.059 --> 00:36:00.139 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise 00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:01.199 as some count slowness, 00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:02.599 but is patient toward you, 00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:04.740 not wishing that any should perish, 00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:06.800 but that all should reach repentance. 00:36:07.760 --> 00:36:09.860 And God is the only one who can pay that debt. 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.720 He is the only one who has the keys 00:36:12.720 --> 00:36:14.000 to unlock that prison cell. 00:36:14.720 --> 00:36:17.139 And that payment happened on the cross. 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:19.380 That key is faith. 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:22.720 It's accepting His forgiveness as a free gift. 00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:25.559 A gift that you will give to others 00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:27.619 so that you can have all bitterness 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:29.639 and wrath and anger and clamor and slander 00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.799 be put away from you. 00:36:31.239 --> 00:36:34.139 So that we can be free to be kind to one another, 00:36:34.279 --> 00:36:35.839 tenderhearted, forgiving one another 00:36:35.839 --> 00:36:38.139 as God in Christ has forgiven us. 00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:39.859 He is before all things. 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:41.659 In Him, all things hold together. 00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:43.899 In Him, all the fullness of God 00:36:43.899 --> 00:36:45.179 was pleased to dwell 00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:47.119 and through Him to reconcile Himself. 00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:50.079 All things, whether on earth, in heaven, 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:52.539 making peace by the blood of His cross. 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:54.400 And if Christ is in you, 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:56.739 although your body is dead because of sin, 00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:59.340 your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:00.819 And if the spirit of Him 00:37:00.819 --> 00:37:02.579 who raised Jesus Christ from the dead 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:04.059 dwells in you, 00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:06.259 then He who raised Christ from the dead 00:37:06.259 --> 00:37:09.619 will also give life to your mortal bodies 00:37:09.619 --> 00:37:12.639 through His Spirit who dwells in you. 00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:15.119 Christ offers us a swim 00:37:15.119 --> 00:37:17.679 in the sunset of forgiveness 00:37:17.679 --> 00:37:20.619 and the opportunity to teach others 00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:21.940 to swim with us 00:37:21.940 --> 00:37:24.440 as we live authentically. 00:37:24.619 --> 00:37:27.579 Has He set you free from that prison? 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:30.460 If you have never asked God for forgiveness, 00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:32.739 hear Him today. 00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:35.039 He knows where you are. 00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:37.900 He looks on you with compassion. 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:41.519 And He has paid your debt completely. 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:43.820 He offers you freedom 00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:46.340 and salvation from that prison. 00:37:47.759 --> 00:37:49.099 And it's transformational. 00:37:50.259 --> 00:37:51.340 If you're here and you have, 00:37:51.920 --> 00:37:52.659 ask for forgiveness. 00:37:53.619 --> 00:37:54.400 Hear Him today. 00:37:55.320 --> 00:37:56.960 He knows how hard it is to forgive. 00:37:58.420 --> 00:37:59.199 Run to Him. 00:38:00.179 --> 00:38:02.639 Cling to Him for that power first 00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:04.420 before you try to give it 00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:05.800 to that other person. 00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:08.259 True forgiveness is authentic. 00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:10.079 You can't give what you don't have. 00:38:10.799 --> 00:38:12.079 True forgiveness is never ending. 00:38:12.539 --> 00:38:13.659 It goes on and on and on. 00:38:14.319 --> 00:38:15.980 And true forgiveness is transformational. 00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:17.440 It changes us 00:38:17.440 --> 00:38:18.860 and the world around us. 00:38:19.299 --> 00:38:20.440 And as Kirk Franklin says 00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:22.000 in one of my favorite gospel songs, 00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:22.960 truth can hurt you 00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:24.779 or truth can change you. 00:38:25.819 --> 00:38:27.779 What will truth do to you? 00:38:28.279 --> 00:38:28.699 Let's pray. 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.900 Father, thank You for Your truth. 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:32.759 And I pray that everyone in here 00:38:32.759 --> 00:38:34.179 would know that You are that truth 00:38:34.179 --> 00:38:35.639 and we would feel Your love 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.279 and Your presence. 00:38:36.840 --> 00:38:37.319 And may they know 00:38:37.319 --> 00:38:38.719 they have a place to struggle here, 00:38:38.719 --> 00:38:40.059 to ask questions. 00:38:40.399 --> 00:38:41.579 We don't have to have it all together. 00:38:42.899 --> 00:38:44.079 Lord, may we repent 00:38:44.079 --> 00:38:45.359 of our sins to You 00:38:45.359 --> 00:38:46.480 and say, 00:38:46.579 --> 00:38:47.179 Father God, 00:38:47.339 --> 00:38:48.699 I give my life to You 00:38:48.699 --> 00:38:49.819 and I accept Your forgiveness 00:38:49.819 --> 00:38:52.139 and that free payment of debt 00:38:52.139 --> 00:38:53.119 if they never have. 00:38:53.819 --> 00:38:54.599 In the name of Jesus, 00:38:54.739 --> 00:38:55.699 I pray all of this. 00:38:56.299 --> 00:38:56.500 Amen. 00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:56.639 Amen. 00:39:00.639 --> 00:39:01.659 For more information, 00:39:02.039 --> 00:39:02.959 visit us online 00:39:02.959 --> 00:39:04.259 at southwood.org. 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:08.839 Amen. 00:39:09.459 --> 00:39:10.179 Amen. 00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:14.619 Amen. 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.119 Amen. 00:39:15.139 --> 00:39:15.439 Amen. 00:39:15.439 --> 00:39:15.779 Amen. 00:39:15.919 --> 00:39:17.639 Amen. 00:39:17.779 --> 00:39:18.159 Amen. 00:39:18.199 --> 00:39:18.579 Amen. 00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:18.659 Amen.