WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.679 Let me remind you of something important. There is usually one point, one main point to a parable. 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:19.280 ! Jesus tells parables to get one main point across, to do it memorably and vividly. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:23.839 ! And so the parable that we've got this morning has one main point. 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:27.519 One more point that it wants to get across and it's this. 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:37.579 It is, forgiven people will be forgiving people. Forgiving people will be forgiving people. 00:00:38.679 --> 00:00:45.640 We can turn it the other way round and we can say, unforgiving people cannot be forgiven people. 00:00:47.260 --> 00:00:50.359 Unforgiving people cannot be forgiven. 00:00:50.359 --> 00:01:03.420 Now if you don't understand that usually a parable is intended to get across one main point, you'll come to this parable and you'll come to all sorts of wrong conclusions. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:07.500 On issues that the parable actually was never intended to address. 00:01:08.859 --> 00:01:13.000 So for some people who look at this parable and they say, well God just forgives, doesn't he, in this parable. 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:15.299 The king forgives. There's no atonement. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:20.359 There's no suggestion of it. There's just repentance and then forgiveness. 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:22.579 But that's not the point of the parable. 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:26.180 The point of the parable is to answer a question. Look at verse 21. 00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:35.220 And Peter comes to Jesus and says, Lord, how often will my brother or sister, that can be, sin against me and I forgive them. 00:01:35.620 --> 00:01:36.960 Many is seven times. 00:01:38.300 --> 00:01:39.300 That's the question. 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:43.219 And that's the one question that the parable is meant to answer. 00:01:44.180 --> 00:01:45.960 And so let me remind you of the parable briefly. 00:01:46.080 --> 00:01:46.719 You've got a servant. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:50.420 He's a servant of the king. 00:01:50.519 --> 00:01:52.000 He's a pretty high-ranking official. 00:01:52.900 --> 00:01:54.719 And he's dealing with lots of money. 00:01:56.219 --> 00:01:57.659 You've got to think of a kind of governor. 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:00.239 Of a province or something. 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:04.200 And because of his incompetence, because of his mismanagement, 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:08.599 perhaps even deliberate embezzlement or fraud, 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:11.740 he ends up owing the king a large amount of money. 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:13.479 A vast amount of money. 00:02:13.479 --> 00:02:17.319 The day of reckoning comes. 00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:19.000 It's the end of the financial year. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:21.120 And he is in the deep. 00:02:22.659 --> 00:02:24.799 He owes the king 10,000 talents. 00:02:24.979 --> 00:02:27.159 That is an impossibly large figure. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:29.120 A talent. 00:02:29.239 --> 00:02:31.000 One talent was a lot of money in those days. 00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:34.620 And 10,000 was really the highest number in the Greek language. 00:02:35.659 --> 00:02:39.759 The Greeks couldn't really conceive of a number higher than 10,000. 00:02:39.759 --> 00:02:45.819 They had no word in their language for more than 10,000. 00:02:45.979 --> 00:02:47.679 It's why when you get to Revelation, 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:53.899 John wants to describe the multitude that no man can number that are in heaven. 00:02:53.979 --> 00:02:56.879 And he describes it, doesn't he, as 10,000 times 10,000. 00:02:57.879 --> 00:02:58.599 And thousands. 00:02:58.599 --> 00:02:58.759 Thousands. 00:03:00.519 --> 00:03:05.340 10,000 is kind of the limit of their vocabulary when it came to large numbers. 00:03:05.340 --> 00:03:10.479 And so when Jesus says, this guy owed 10,000 talents, 00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:14.759 he was really thinking, this man could not have owed any more than he owed. 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:15.640 He's in terrible trouble. 00:03:16.920 --> 00:03:19.860 And we're talking billions in our money. 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:26.140 And the whole point is that his debt was immense and completely unpayable. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:31.699 And there was nothing that this man could have done in order to pay back the money. 00:03:31.979 --> 00:03:32.779 He was ruined. 00:03:33.299 --> 00:03:34.799 He was finished. 00:03:36.239 --> 00:03:38.000 And it was prison that he faced. 00:03:39.339 --> 00:03:41.579 And for him and his family in slavery, 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:44.519 they were to be sold. 00:03:44.699 --> 00:03:46.179 You couldn't declare yourself bankrupt. 00:03:46.180 --> 00:03:49.379 And that way, if they were sold in the slavery, 00:03:49.480 --> 00:03:52.980 the king would at least get some money back from that family. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:56.180 And so that's the situation this man is in. 00:03:56.460 --> 00:03:57.340 He goes to the king. 00:03:57.620 --> 00:03:58.680 The king calls him in. 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:01.800 The man falls on his knees and begs. 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:04.319 He begs the king. 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:06.620 He says, doesn't he, 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:08.120 Be patient with me. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:12.640 Did you notice in verse 26, 00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:16.539 He says, be patient with me and I will pay you everything. 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:18.620 There's no way on earth he could have paid everything. 00:04:19.539 --> 00:04:20.319 He doesn't understand it. 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:20.919 It's just ridiculous. 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:24.019 He can't pay back 10,000 talents. 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:25.439 He's asked for patience. 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:31.000 He's asked for time to redeem the situation by his own efforts. 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:36.659 And instead, what he receives from the king is sheer grace. 00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:40.560 It's an unbelievable act. 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:43.379 The king cancels the whole debt and lets him go. 00:04:44.300 --> 00:04:45.420 As if he didn't own a thing. 00:04:47.280 --> 00:04:48.339 He cancels the whole debt. 00:04:48.420 --> 00:04:50.519 10,000 talents wiped off the slate. 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:52.540 It's an act of pity. 00:04:52.740 --> 00:04:53.780 It's an act of compassion. 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:55.600 It's an act of mercy. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:02.379 Incidentally, the king bears the cost, doesn't he? 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:04.879 There is actually atonement here. 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:07.540 The king absorbs the loss. 00:05:07.540 --> 00:05:12.180 But you can imagine how that servant felt, didn't he, 00:05:12.200 --> 00:05:13.379 when he walked out of that room. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:14.740 He must have been on cloud nine. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:17.680 Imagine I come to your house this afternoon. 00:05:19.080 --> 00:05:20.379 And I say to you, have you got a mortgage? 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:24.240 Say, yeah, I've got 20 years to go on my mortgage. 00:05:24.340 --> 00:05:25.700 18 years to go on the mortgage. 00:05:25.800 --> 00:05:26.780 I say, how much is that you? 00:05:26.840 --> 00:05:27.520 Tell me the amount. 00:05:28.600 --> 00:05:29.580 And I write you a cheque. 00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:32.660 Or I transfer the money into your account. 00:05:32.660 --> 00:05:36.920 I say to you, have you got university fees? 00:05:38.460 --> 00:05:39.120 You say, yeah. 00:05:39.740 --> 00:05:40.520 How much are they? 00:05:41.900 --> 00:05:43.680 I open a case and I get the money out. 00:05:43.820 --> 00:05:45.600 What is it, 9,000 pounds and I give it to you. 00:05:47.020 --> 00:05:47.920 A bridging loan. 00:05:49.760 --> 00:05:51.680 Imagine I can wipe off your bridging loan. 00:05:54.280 --> 00:05:55.140 Credit card bill. 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:56.660 Your overdraft. 00:05:57.660 --> 00:05:58.660 Just wiped out this afternoon. 00:05:58.760 --> 00:05:59.660 Imagine how you'd feel. 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:02.120 You'd come to church tonight. 00:06:04.340 --> 00:06:05.640 You'd be pretty pleased, wouldn't you? 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:06.560 You'd be on cloud nine. 00:06:07.840 --> 00:06:09.640 And here's the man, he walks out of there. 00:06:10.040 --> 00:06:10.780 The weight, isn't it? 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:12.440 Isn't that what people talk about with death? 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:15.580 The overwhelming weight of it? 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:18.480 The weight is off his shoulders. 00:06:18.580 --> 00:06:19.540 The burden is gone. 00:06:21.820 --> 00:06:25.360 And as he's walking around his workplace, 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:27.100 he finds another member of staff 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:30.340 that owes a comparatively minor, trivial sum. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:31.860 It's a hundred denarii. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:32.560 What's that? 00:06:32.780 --> 00:06:34.439 Well, if you work it out, 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:39.060 it's basically three months' salary 00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:40.200 on the minimum wage. 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:44.100 That's what a hundred denarii is. 00:06:44.460 --> 00:06:45.820 It's not an insignificant sum. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:48.180 It's three months' salary of the minimum wage. 00:06:48.520 --> 00:06:50.500 So it's a few thousand pounds. 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:55.100 It's a substantial amount. 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:56.100 If you owed me, 00:06:57.160 --> 00:06:58.339 let's say three thousand pounds, 00:06:58.439 --> 00:06:59.680 I'd want to get it back. 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:01.980 And so here's a man who's owed, 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:03.100 let's say three thousand pounds. 00:07:03.180 --> 00:07:04.920 It's not a totally insignificant sum of money. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:07.360 But he goes to his friend, 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:08.199 and what does he do? 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:10.199 He grabs him by the throat, 00:07:10.259 --> 00:07:11.139 and he begins to choke him. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.319 Where's my money? 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:16.759 And he demands immediate payment 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:17.939 of his three thousand pounds. 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:19.259 The man falls on his knees, 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:20.399 and he says, 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:21.920 do you hear the echo? 00:07:22.339 --> 00:07:22.959 He says, 00:07:23.100 --> 00:07:24.519 have patience with me, 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:26.040 and I will pay you. 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:27.579 Haven't we heard that before? 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:30.439 Be patient with me, 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:31.240 and I will pay you. 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:31.779 Everything. 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:32.819 They're the exact words 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:33.759 that the servant used 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:35.040 when he asked the king 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:35.980 to be patient with me. 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:37.680 But on this occasion, 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:39.439 those words fall on deaf ears. 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:42.600 And he refuses to be patient. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:45.139 He refuses to be merciful. 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:46.240 He takes him to the courtroom, 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:47.379 and he puts the man in prison 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:49.399 until he gets the three thousand pound back. 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:52.819 And word gets around the staff. 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:56.040 And we read that the fellow servants 00:07:56.040 --> 00:07:57.540 were greatly distressed. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:58.519 And you can imagine they were, 00:07:58.579 --> 00:07:59.399 but rightly so. 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:00.019 I mean, 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:02.339 there's something incredibly hard-hearted, 00:08:02.459 --> 00:08:02.800 isn't there, 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:04.899 about a man who's been forgiven 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:06.980 millions of pounds, 00:08:07.199 --> 00:08:08.219 cruelly demanding 00:08:08.219 --> 00:08:09.600 the instant payment 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:11.379 of a few thousand pounds. 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:14.959 His name was Albert Tesla. 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:18.279 Albert Tesla won the lottery 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:19.560 a few years ago 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:20.600 in the United States. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:22.500 The amount he pocketed 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:24.000 was seven million dollars. 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:24.740 That's a lot of money, 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:25.100 isn't it? 00:08:25.159 --> 00:08:26.379 Seven million dollars. 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:28.779 But two years later, 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:29.879 after Albert Tesla 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:31.319 won seven million dollars, 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:32.360 he was sent to prison. 00:08:33.439 --> 00:08:34.639 And he was sent to prison 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:35.440 because he failed 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:36.740 to pay child support, 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:38.220 which totaled 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:39.879 thirty-five thousand dollars. 00:08:41.040 --> 00:08:42.960 He got seven million dollars, 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:44.000 but he couldn't pay 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:46.000 thirty-five thousand dollars. 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:46.980 You think that's bad? 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:51.320 Well, 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:52.740 the servants in this story, 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:53.440 the work colleagues, 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:54.100 they certainly did, 00:08:54.180 --> 00:08:54.440 didn't they? 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:57.080 So the fellow servants 00:08:57.080 --> 00:08:58.420 report to the king 00:08:58.420 --> 00:08:59.460 that the king is absolutely 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:01.180 furious and very disappointed. 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:03.519 Disappointed that such an act 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:04.980 of sheer grace 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:06.040 and forgiveness 00:09:06.040 --> 00:09:06.680 and mercy 00:09:06.680 --> 00:09:07.779 had made so little difference 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:08.659 to the man's character 00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:09.159 or heart. 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:12.299 And so we read in verse 32, 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:14.399 then his master summoned him 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:14.959 and said to him, 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:16.299 you wicked servants, 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:19.539 I forgave you all that debt 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:20.600 because you pleaded with me. 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:22.519 And should you not have 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:23.860 had mercy on your fellow servants, 00:09:23.939 --> 00:09:25.539 I had mercy on you. 00:09:27.199 --> 00:09:27.939 And in his anger, 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:29.059 his master delivered him 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:29.819 to the jailers, 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:31.179 literally to the torturers, 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:32.419 until he should pay 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:33.100 all his debt. 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:36.319 And so it's not slavery now, 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:37.340 it's torture, 00:09:38.160 --> 00:09:38.740 shockingly. 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:42.100 Until he can pay back 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:43.100 all that he owes. 00:09:43.280 --> 00:09:44.020 And it's going to take him 00:09:44.020 --> 00:09:44.900 a very long time, 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:46.020 an impossibly long time. 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:47.440 And then the punchline 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:48.600 comes in verse 35, 00:09:49.020 --> 00:09:49.879 here's the punchline, 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:51.379 and so also my heavenly father 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.840 will do to every one of you 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:54.379 if you do not forgive 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:55.940 your brother from your heart. 00:09:57.480 --> 00:09:58.420 So there's the parable. 00:09:58.780 --> 00:09:59.660 What can we say about it? 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:01.600 Let me remind you, 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:04.019 one big lesson in a parable. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:07.920 And it's intended to teach us 00:10:07.920 --> 00:10:08.600 that those who experience 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:11.300 God's utterly amazing forgiveness 00:10:11.300 --> 00:10:13.680 will themselves be forgiving people. 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:15.379 So let's look at that. 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:16.240 First of all, 00:10:16.300 --> 00:10:18.200 let's see God's utterly amazing forgiveness. 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:21.759 And when we think of God's forgiveness, 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:22.659 we shouldn't think of him 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:24.779 overlooking minor misdemeanors. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:27.279 We should think of him 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:28.840 cancelling a huge, 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:30.240 unpayable debt. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:33.980 God is a great king 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:35.120 and we are his stewards. 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:37.159 We are his servants. 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:38.320 We are answerable to him. 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:39.500 We owe him obedience 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.740 and we owe him honour. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:42.799 We owe him respect. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:43.740 We owe him love. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:44.620 We owe him worship. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:48.299 You owe him your whole life. 00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:51.980 And you have not paid him 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:53.180 what you ought. 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:56.139 And you, 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.259 whether you're willing to admit it 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:57.799 this morning, 00:10:57.919 --> 00:10:59.960 are guilty of serious mismanagement. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:03.039 When we recognise this, 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:04.039 when we understand this 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:05.080 before God, 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:05.980 that we have a massive 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:06.919 unpaid debt 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:08.320 to a great and glorious Lord, 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:09.220 we get before him 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:09.860 on our knees 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:11.680 and we beg for mercy. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.600 We beg for mercy. 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:16.120 And I wonder, 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:16.820 has that ever happened 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.779 in your experience? 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:21.019 Have you ever come to that point 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:22.600 where you've suddenly realised 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:23.720 how vastly in debt 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:24.700 you are towards God? 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:27.240 And how you cannot pay it back 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:28.060 yourself at all. 00:11:28.060 --> 00:11:29.500 How you need mercy. 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:30.980 And the amazing thing 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:32.300 is that when we get to that point, 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:33.660 God does forgive us, 00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:34.120 doesn't he? 00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:36.720 He cancels the debt. 00:11:36.800 --> 00:11:38.040 He cancels the debt. 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:39.440 According to the rest of 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:40.040 Matthew's Gospel 00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:40.660 and the New Testament, 00:11:40.780 --> 00:11:41.660 he cancels the debt 00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:42.620 because of the Lord Jesus. 00:11:42.900 --> 00:11:44.080 He absorbs the cost. 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:47.720 And only because of Jesus. 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:50.639 The Jews in the Old Testament, 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.720 they were familiar with, 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:56.320 they knew that if you were in debt, 00:11:56.420 --> 00:11:57.639 there was a close relative, 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:59.060 a kinsman, redeemer, 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:00.800 who if he had the money, 00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:02.660 could come and pay the debt off him. 00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:04.860 And you would be released. 00:12:06.800 --> 00:12:08.140 And so where is the redeemer 00:12:08.140 --> 00:12:09.720 who can pay 10,000 talents? 00:12:10.160 --> 00:12:11.040 Where is the redeemer 00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:11.820 with that kind of money? 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:14.340 Where is the redeemer 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.120 who can rescue 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:16.540 from a debt like that? 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:17.740 No earthly redeemer 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:18.420 can pay that. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:20.840 And that's why God 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:22.620 sent us a redeemer. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:24.740 There is a redeemer, 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.340 Jesus, God's own son. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:28.740 The Messiah, the Holy One, 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.720 no debt of his own. 00:12:33.520 --> 00:12:35.180 But he was able to pay 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:36.140 out of his great 00:12:36.140 --> 00:12:37.420 and glorious righteousness 00:12:37.420 --> 00:12:38.540 all the debt we owe. 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:42.199 And so when we get to the point 00:12:42.199 --> 00:12:43.599 of being on our knees 00:12:43.599 --> 00:12:45.079 and begging for mercy, 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.419 God forgives us. 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:49.539 And God cancels the debt. 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:52.779 Because there is a redeemer. 00:12:53.959 --> 00:12:55.039 Jesus, God's own son. 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:57.579 Second thing is 00:12:57.579 --> 00:12:59.360 that forgiven sinners 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:01.539 will be forgiving people. 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.199 Forgiven sinners 00:13:04.199 --> 00:13:05.120 will be forgiving people. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:07.840 You would have thought, 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:08.179 wouldn't you, 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:10.159 that that servant 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:10.940 would have been willing 00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:12.139 to forgive anybody anything. 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.539 What was the debt 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:17.740 that he was owed 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:19.120 compared to the debt 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:20.700 that he owes to the king? 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.080 On which the king had counseled. 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:23.740 Any wrong, 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:24.440 any injury, 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:25.220 any insult. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:30.680 Anything that's been done to us, 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:33.479 however considerable, 00:13:34.839 --> 00:13:37.139 when you consider that 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:38.379 in comparison 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:40.599 with the insults 00:13:40.599 --> 00:13:41.459 and the injury 00:13:41.459 --> 00:13:42.559 and the wrong 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:44.099 that we have done to God 00:13:44.099 --> 00:13:47.379 and what God has forgiven us, 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:48.079 we have to say, 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:48.399 don't we, 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:49.399 that nobody, 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.599 nothing, 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.279 anyone can do 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:54.379 to us 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:57.159 compares to what we have done 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:57.819 to God 00:13:57.819 --> 00:13:59.859 is of any significant. 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:04.139 God is perfectly right 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:04.779 and holy. 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.959 He is holy in the right, 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:08.359 isn't he? 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:11.639 And that is very, 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:13.219 very rarely true. 00:14:15.099 --> 00:14:16.259 So when relationships 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:17.099 break down 00:14:17.099 --> 00:14:18.059 in human life, 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.459 very rarely 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:20.699 is one party 00:14:20.699 --> 00:14:22.019 holy in the right. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.719 I usually, 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:25.419 in a situation, 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:25.959 there's somebody 00:14:25.959 --> 00:14:27.019 who is more in the right 00:14:27.019 --> 00:14:28.839 than the other person. 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:31.480 And maybe there's one party 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.820 that's 95% 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:33.480 in the right 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.000 or 98% 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:35.460 in the right. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.139 That's usually the case 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:39.300 in earthly relationships. 00:14:39.680 --> 00:14:40.100 Rarely, 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:40.879 very rarely, 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:41.720 is one party 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:42.940 holy and completely 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:43.800 100% 00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:44.460 in the right. 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.080 But God is 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:48.220 completely 100% 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:48.620 in the right. 00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:52.000 God is righteous. 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:54.180 God is holy. 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:56.659 God is God. 00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.979 And he is the one 00:14:59.979 --> 00:15:00.759 who forgives us. 00:15:02.719 --> 00:15:04.279 He is holy right 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:06.199 and we have been 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.359 holy wrong 00:15:07.359 --> 00:15:08.039 and yet 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:09.139 he is the one 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.179 who forgives us. 00:15:10.219 --> 00:15:10.939 I find that amazing. 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:15.519 And so if we refuse 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.079 to forgive, 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:16.719 what if 00:15:16.719 --> 00:15:18.099 sinners 00:15:18.099 --> 00:15:19.279 refuse to forgive 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:20.379 our fellow sinners? 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:23.059 The holy 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:23.700 and righteous 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.100 God 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:25.240 can forgive sinners. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:25.799 How is it 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:26.600 that we can't? 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.480 And we're saying, 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:29.840 aren't we, 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.320 that we are more 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:31.240 holy than God. 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:31.740 We're saying 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:33.120 that we're greater 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.720 than God. 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:35.840 And if we ask 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:37.559 God for forgiveness 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.460 but refuse 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.500 to forgive others, 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.299 we are burning 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:40.820 the bridge 00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:41.639 we need to cross. 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.240 And that is why 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.639 we cannot be forgiven 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:47.320 unless we are 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:47.700 forgiving. 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:49.840 We need to cross 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:50.960 the bridge of forgiveness 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:52.400 ourselves. 00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:54.879 And by refusing 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.080 to forgive 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:56.960 we are burning 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.440 the bridge 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:57.940 that you and I 00:15:57.940 --> 00:15:58.400 need to cross 00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:58.960 ourselves. 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:01.160 But let's note 00:16:01.160 --> 00:16:01.480 the order. 00:16:01.580 --> 00:16:02.259 The order is very, 00:16:02.400 --> 00:16:02.840 very important. 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.320 It's God's forgiveness 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.360 which comes first. 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.200 God's forgiveness 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.240 precedes ours. 00:16:10.280 --> 00:16:11.060 Our forgiveness 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:12.000 is the response 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.500 to God's forgiveness 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.000 of us. 00:16:15.660 --> 00:16:16.660 And so that casts light 00:16:16.660 --> 00:16:17.300 on the Lord's Prayer, 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:17.680 doesn't it? 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:19.160 What's the only 00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:19.900 petition in the 00:16:19.900 --> 00:16:20.600 Lord's Prayer 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.460 that the Lord Jesus 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.240 comments on 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.700 after he's 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:24.340 told his disciples? 00:16:28.280 --> 00:16:29.120 The one petition 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:29.820 he comments on 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.560 is forgive us 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:31.500 our debts 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.320 or forgive us 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:32.920 our trespasses 00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:33.360 or forgive us 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:33.960 our sins 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:35.980 as we've forgiven 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:37.259 our debtors 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.460 or those who 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.360 trespass against us 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:39.820 or those who 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:40.600 sin against us. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.780 And he goes on 00:16:42.780 --> 00:16:43.020 to say, 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:44.100 he goes on to say 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:44.680 if you do not 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:45.160 forgive those 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:46.340 who sin against you, 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:47.200 your Heavenly 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:47.720 Father will not 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.180 forgive you. 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.980 He makes a comment 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.759 about that petition 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.399 and it's important 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.800 to understand 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:54.440 that God 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.720 does not forgive us 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.460 because we 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.160 forgive others. 00:16:58.280 --> 00:16:58.639 No, 00:16:58.800 --> 00:16:59.860 we forgive others 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.440 because God 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:01.180 has forgiven us. 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:04.200 no one who 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.839 has understood 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:06.019 the grace of God 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.500 no one who 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.700 understands grace 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.319 will be an 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.759 unforgiving person. 00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:13.819 The third lesson 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.419 we must learn 00:17:14.419 --> 00:17:16.460 is the terrible 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.159 punishment of 00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:17.919 being unforgiving. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.779 Look at verse 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.480 34. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:23.640 And in anger 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.200 his master 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.759 delivered him 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.319 to the jailers 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:25.779 until he should 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.759 pay all his debt. 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:28.640 And these are 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:29.360 solemn words. 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:31.079 So also my 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.599 Heavenly Father 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:32.000 will do to 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.720 every one of you 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.380 if you do not 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:33.799 forgive your 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.299 brother from the 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:34.599 heart. 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:38.319 Now who's he 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:38.860 talking to? 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:40.759 He's talking to 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.279 his disciples. 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.019 He's talking to 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:42.539 the twelve. 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:44.660 He's talking 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:45.440 specifically to 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:45.680 Peter. 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:46.299 It was Peter 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:46.680 who asked 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.160 the question. 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.339 And this parable 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.139 is a reply 00:17:50.139 --> 00:17:51.119 to that question. 00:17:52.699 --> 00:17:53.359 And the 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:54.059 punchline of 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.519 this parable 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:54.959 makes it 00:17:54.959 --> 00:17:56.159 very very clear 00:17:56.159 --> 00:17:57.259 absolutely clear 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.959 that you can be 00:17:57.959 --> 00:17:58.799 outwardly 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:00.279 very closely 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.559 associated with 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.279 Jesus Christ 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.959 and still go 00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:04.459 to hell. 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:09.159 You can actually 00:18:09.159 --> 00:18:09.859 be one of the 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.759 twelve disciples 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.079 and go to hell. 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.139 One did. 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:16.939 You can be 00:18:16.939 --> 00:18:17.419 outwardly a 00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:17.980 church member 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:20.200 you can be 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:20.860 a respectable 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.559 church member 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.059 and not be 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:22.740 a saved person 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.220 in the end. 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:26.880 This is the 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:27.400 question that's 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.099 asked by Jesus 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:29.019 by his disciples 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.880 and by Peter 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:30.400 in particular. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:30.880 And Jesus 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.759 tells this story 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.099 and he says 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:32.539 this is how 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:32.960 my Heavenly 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.880 Father will 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.500 treat each of 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:34.740 you. 00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:35.480 No exception. 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.039 Unless you 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.480 forgive your 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.019 brother from 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.740 your heart. 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.180 Not just 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.960 words. 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:44.500 Not just 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.059 words. 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:45.700 Not just 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.200 pretend. 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.400 but heartfelt 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:47.940 forgiveness. 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.059 And that is 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.440 what happens 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:51.799 when we've 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.259 been forgiven. 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.319 That's the 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.740 kind of 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.920 forgivers we 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.299 become. 00:18:56.600 --> 00:18:57.039 I just want 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:57.259 to spend 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:57.720 five minutes 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.240 as we close 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:58.700 just to make 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.519 a few further 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.100 comments on 00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:00.460 forgiveness. 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:03.100 Because this 00:19:03.100 --> 00:19:03.840 is a very 00:19:03.840 --> 00:19:04.740 hard-hitting 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.340 parable. 00:19:07.340 --> 00:19:07.920 And it could 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:08.880 worry or 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.759 confuse us 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.720 unless I think 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.400 I make a few 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:12.279 comments on the 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.840 nature of 00:19:12.840 --> 00:19:13.220 forgiveness. 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.400 forgiveness. 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.400 It won't 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:15.880 help us. 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:18.120 This parable 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:18.660 does not 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.900 teach that 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.519 forgiveness is 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.200 easy or 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.740 straightforward. 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.720 I think the 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.180 Christian church 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.819 in this country 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.579 and the United 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.200 States is 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.220 plagued with a 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.180 trivial view of 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.519 forgiveness. 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.440 A sentimental 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:33.299 view of 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:33.660 forgiveness. 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.440 Where sin is 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.079 not taken 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.660 seriously. 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:38.600 And sin is 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:39.059 not dealt 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.400 with. 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:43.080 And so 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:43.259 there have 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.480 been a 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:43.780 number of 00:19:43.780 --> 00:19:44.140 occasions 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.720 and a 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.060 number of 00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:45.440 times where 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:45.620 there has 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:45.880 been a 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.660 great tragedy. 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.080 And 00:19:50.080 --> 00:19:50.440 church 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:50.700 going 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.759 Christian 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.340 people will 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:53.460 say pretty 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.280 much in the 00:19:54.280 --> 00:19:54.740 immediate 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:56.720 aftermath what 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.120 they feel 00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:57.280 they are 00:19:57.280 --> 00:19:57.880 expected to 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.180 say. 00:19:58.320 --> 00:19:58.540 And so 00:19:58.540 --> 00:19:58.820 they will 00:19:58.820 --> 00:19:59.320 say I 00:19:59.320 --> 00:20:00.080 forgive my 00:20:00.080 --> 00:20:00.500 daughter's 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:00.759 killers. 00:20:03.080 --> 00:20:03.960 I forgive 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.700 the person 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:04.980 who has 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.880 murdered my 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.580 husband or 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:06.880 daughter. 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.640 And I 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.360 know it's 00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:11.840 a very hard 00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:12.120 thing to say 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:12.680 but I'm 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.380 not convinced 00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:13.980 that that is 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.460 right. 00:20:16.820 --> 00:20:17.400 Because the 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.120 context of 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:18.519 Peter's 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.280 question is in 00:20:19.280 --> 00:20:20.180 relationships in 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:20.480 the local 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:20.759 church. 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:21.200 That's why I 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.640 took the time 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.000 on it before 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.340 the reading 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:22.740 isn't it? 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.160 And so he 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:25.440 says what 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.900 happens when a 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:26.340 church member 00:20:26.340 --> 00:20:27.080 goes astray? 00:20:27.340 --> 00:20:27.980 If for instance 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.480 he or she 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.080 sins against 00:20:29.080 --> 00:20:29.519 you what do 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:29.740 you do? 00:20:29.800 --> 00:20:30.140 Do you just 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:30.700 ignore it? 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.320 Do you write 00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:31.660 the person 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:31.980 off? 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.720 Do you condemn 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.100 the person 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:33.500 you shrug 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:33.880 your shoulders? 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:36.100 And say 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:36.840 well have you? 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.519 No Jesus 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:38.960 says you go 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.180 and you 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:39.620 seek that 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:39.880 person. 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.220 What does 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.580 the shepherd 00:20:40.580 --> 00:20:40.920 do? 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.039 The shepherd 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:42.500 if he loses 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.220 just one of 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:43.759 his sheep 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.940 he goes out 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.600 and he seeks 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.019 the sheep 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.779 that is lost 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:49.180 and he brings 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.620 the sheep 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.320 back home. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.120 What do you 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:52.400 do with 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:52.880 church members 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.180 that go 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:53.560 astray? 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.100 Well we've 00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:54.539 all got a 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.100 responsibility. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:56.860 We have to 00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:57.680 go and to 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.220 seek that 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.820 person that's 00:20:58.820 --> 00:20:59.539 wandered away 00:20:59.539 --> 00:20:59.860 from the 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:00.360 Lord Jesus. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.279 And how do 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:02.980 we seek them? 00:21:03.320 --> 00:21:03.759 Well Jesus 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.259 says this 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.180 in the passage 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:05.680 we looked at 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.120 last week 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:06.380 you go 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:06.860 privately 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.320 and you 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:07.640 seek to 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:07.960 show them 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.480 their fault. 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.140 And if they 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:10.700 listen to you 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.299 great you've 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:11.580 won them 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:11.860 over. 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:12.460 But what if 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:12.799 he doesn't 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.019 listen? 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:13.460 Well you keep 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:13.860 at it. 00:21:14.820 --> 00:21:15.279 And you go 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.660 with two or 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.160 three witnesses 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:17.039 and you want 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.560 to show them 00:21:17.560 --> 00:21:18.299 their fault so 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:18.680 that they'll 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.620 come back and 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:21.019 you deal with 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.759 the wrong doing. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:24.099 and if they do 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.559 come back and 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:24.819 they say 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.259 yeah I'm 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.980 sorry I was 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.180 out of 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.559 order I 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.059 sinned you 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.619 forgive them 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:27.799 and the 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.220 matter goes 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.700 no further. 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.519 And what if 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:30.879 he will not 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.400 listen to the 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:31.980 two or the 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.220 three? 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:32.900 Well in that 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.319 event he says 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:34.700 you take him 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:35.519 to the church 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:37.240 the leadership 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.640 and if he 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.379 refuses to 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:39.099 listen well 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:39.960 you have to 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.740 treat him like 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.220 somebody who's 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.879 not a Christian 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:43.680 like a pagan 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.279 or a tax 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.740 collector. 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.339 And you 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.299 don't share 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:47.660 the Lord's 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.079 Supper with 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.279 them. 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.899 You don't 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:50.500 allow them 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.180 to think of 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:51.839 themselves as 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.379 a Christian. 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.200 And if of 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:56.579 course they 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.259 listen and 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.899 they repent 00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:58.299 well you 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.879 extend total 00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.980 100% 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.539 forgiveness 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.460 and it's 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:02.839 settled. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.420 And Jesus 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:06.940 goes on to 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.519 say for a 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.000 church to do 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.420 this it's 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.099 really difficult 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:10.839 and it's a 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.660 sensitive thing 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.240 and we all 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.920 shy away from 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.839 it and Jesus 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.359 says when you 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:15.039 do this 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.240 when you seek 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.759 to do this 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.379 I am with 00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:17.879 you when two 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.320 three are 00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:19.000 together I 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.340 am with 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:19.920 you don't 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.460 be afraid. 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.620 And what 00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:23.120 you decide 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.780 on earth will 00:22:23.780 --> 00:22:24.480 be ratified 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.100 in heaven don't 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:25.660 shy away from 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:25.920 it. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.360 And I 00:22:28.360 --> 00:22:28.880 think the 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.600 passages in 00:22:29.600 --> 00:22:30.500 Matthew 18 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.460 really help 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:31.960 us to think 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.580 through Christian 00:22:32.580 --> 00:22:33.020 forgiveness. 00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:34.700 Christian 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.300 forgiveness is 00:22:35.300 --> 00:22:36.080 not a sentimental 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:36.780 thing. 00:22:38.020 --> 00:22:38.780 It's not 00:22:38.780 --> 00:22:39.860 pretending that 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.480 sin doesn't 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:40.900 matter. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.140 It isn't 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:43.660 letting the 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.500 offender off 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:44.920 the hook 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.580 without getting 00:22:45.580 --> 00:22:46.440 him or her 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:47.260 to face up 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.599 to their 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.180 wrongdoing. 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.359 Christian 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:49.879 forgiveness 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:51.859 seeks to 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.240 bring the 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.000 wrongdoer to 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.460 repentance. 00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:56.079 And when the 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.259 wrongdoer faces 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.000 up to his 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.900 wrongdoing and 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.799 repents the 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.640 individual and 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:02.019 the church must 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.799 totally and 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.599 completely forgive. 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.259 And Peter says 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:05.859 how often should 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.519 you do this? 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.279 Seven times. 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:08.579 He's being 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:08.960 generous. 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.500 Remember the 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.279 rabbis, the 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:10.960 local rabbis 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.640 said three times 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.140 and you're out. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.599 And Peter is 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.259 being generous and 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:15.819 Jesus says no 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.399 70 times 00:23:16.399 --> 00:23:16.639 son. 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.220 It doesn't 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.779 mean when you 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.839 get to 488 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.939 sins you say 00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:23.299 to them listen 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.700 you've got two 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.299 more to go. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.599 And then you 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.319 get 490 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.779 sins. 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:28.579 That's it. 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.240 Seven is a 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.960 significant number 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.659 to Jews isn't it? 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.059 It speaks of 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.740 completion and 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.000 fullness. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:35.879 And actually 00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:36.319 there's a really 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:37.059 interesting cross 00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:37.639 reference with 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.819 Genesis 4 with 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.500 Lamech. 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.700 And Jesus is 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.899 actually reversing 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.759 the language of 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:45.400 Lamech, the 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.099 descendant of 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.480 Cain. 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.879 In Genesis 4 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:48.859 verse 23, Lamech 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:49.640 boasts and 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.240 says to his 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.359 wife, if Cain 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:51.859 is avenged 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.879 seven times, 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.819 then Lamech 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.740 seventy seven 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:54.980 times. 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.680 I'll go after 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:55.819 you. 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.200 Don't come 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:56.559 near me. 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.700 I'll go after 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:57.980 you. 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:58.819 And so it's 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.420 clear that the 00:23:59.420 --> 00:23:59.960 opposite of 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.799 revenge is 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.220 forgiveness. 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:06.339 And Jesus 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.759 is saying 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.640 here there's 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.259 to be no 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.900 going after 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.200 people. 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:09.619 There's to 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:09.920 be no 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.519 revenge. 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:11.799 There's to 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.460 be no limits 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:12.799 to our 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.420 forgiveness of 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:13.819 one another. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.500 There's no 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.319 limit at all 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.660 to our 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:16.980 forgiveness. 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.480 And when you 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.120 consider what 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.019 God has 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.380 done and 00:24:22.380 --> 00:24:22.940 God has 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:24.039 forgiven us, 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:27.259 we will be 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:27.640 able to 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:29.240 forgive those 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.740 who ask for 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:29.920 it. 00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:32.420 And so 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:32.920 whenever a 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.720 person truly 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.360 repents, 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:34.940 and in Luke's 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.400 version of 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:35.900 this same 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.559 incident, it's 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.240 more clear. 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.299 Luke 17 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.860 verse 3, 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.180 if your 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.840 brother sins 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:40.460 rebuke him 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.200 and if he 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:41.680 repents, 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.440 forgive him. 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.480 And if he 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.100 sins against you 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:44.819 seven times in 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.660 the day and 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.240 turns to you 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.819 seven times 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.140 saying I 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:47.840 repent, you 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:48.460 must forgive 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:48.720 him. 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.640 God forgives 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.500 us when we 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:52.880 repent. 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.759 And we 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.519 forgive people 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.039 when they 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.620 repent. 00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:58.980 That means 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.420 that the 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.220 forgiveness is 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.460 not identical 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.180 to reconciliation. 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:03.660 There are 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:03.980 people that 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.680 confuse that. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.779 We seek to 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.700 offer forgiveness 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.759 to someone who 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.079 has been 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.620 sinned against 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.039 or against 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.539 the church. 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.779 we seek to 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.859 offer forgiveness. 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.519 We seek 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.180 reconciliation. 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:15.799 But that 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.740 reconciliation may 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.259 be refused. 00:25:17.399 --> 00:25:17.819 That forgiveness 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.639 may be refused. 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.240 It may be 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.700 turned down. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.180 And when that 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.680 happens, what 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.019 does a 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.819 forgiving spirit 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.240 do? 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:27.519 Well, a 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.119 forgiving spirit 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.180 shows itself by 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:29.759 not taking 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:32.460 revenge against 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:32.920 the person by 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.659 a refusal to 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.299 retaliate. 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.200 By a 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.139 refusal even to 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.980 say bad 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.440 things to 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.920 others or 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.639 bitter things to 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.019 others about 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.599 that person. 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.059 And we 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:43.139 pray for 00:25:43.139 --> 00:25:44.079 God's 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:44.720 blessing on 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.339 that person. 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.259 We make it 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.700 clear to that 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.039 person we 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.519 want to offer 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.039 them forgiveness 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.859 and reconciliation. 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.680 But if at the 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.160 end of the day 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.819 they don't want 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:55.639 it, and they 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:56.160 turn that 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.720 reconciliation 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.079 when it 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:57.460 cannot be 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:57.960 achieved, 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.319 what should we 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:01.759 say to 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.259 offenders? 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.559 Should we 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.279 offer offenders 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.200 a blanket 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.579 kind of 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:07.879 forgiveness? 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.599 Is that what 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.000 we should do? 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.400 Is that what 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:09.599 we're called 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:09.880 to do? 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.519 If somebody 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.019 killed one of 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.420 my children, 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.119 what would I 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:14.660 want to say? 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.440 That's what I 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:18.819 think I'd want 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.079 to say. 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.859 I think I'd 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.220 like to meet 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.480 with them. 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:23.960 I'd like to 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.339 go and see 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:24.599 them in 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:24.819 prison. 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.440 I'd like that 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.200 person to see 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:29.019 the enormity 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.819 of what they've 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.079 done. 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.740 I would try 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.359 and bring that 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:34.859 person to 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.299 repentance. 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:35.539 repentance. 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.059 If that 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.180 person became 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.700 a Christian, 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.359 I would 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:43.099 sit down 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.019 and I would 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.500 share bread 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:44.819 and wine 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.139 with them. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.879 But I 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.519 can't forgive 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.180 them fully 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:52.099 and completely 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:53.059 without some 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.940 indication of 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:55.240 confession and 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:57.399 repentance on 00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:57.839 the part of 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.299 that person. 00:26:58.299 --> 00:27:02.539 forgiven people 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:04.359 will be 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:05.299 forgiven people. 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.279 Forgiveness is 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.879 not easy. 00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:11.059 It is 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.680 difficult. 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.099 But a 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:15.039 forgiven person 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:16.039 will always 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.799 seek to 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.879 extend that 00:27:17.879 --> 00:27:18.279 forgiveness 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:20.399 to everyone 00:27:20.399 --> 00:27:20.779 who sins 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.299 against them. 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.899 Let's pray.