WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 My name is Matt Sear, and I'm the third of three pastors here, along with new daddy Billy. 00:00:07.100 --> 00:00:14.179 I'm one of the rookies, and it's a real privilege to open the Word together today. 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:19.660 The last three weeks, and for a little bit longer than that even, we've been talking 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:26.580 about life in the kingdom, kind of principles that function within the realm of God's saving 00:00:26.579 --> 00:00:33.179 reign, principles that govern how we as disciples of Jesus live in the here and now. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:37.239 This life in the kingdom is wonderful, isn't it? 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:46.119 It's a life of living in truth, a life of a reconciled relationship with God through Jesus. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:52.899 It's a life of being a disciple of the universe's greatest and brightest teacher. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:01:04.980 It's a life with real, living resurrection hope, a real promise of reward for obeying the 00:01:04.980 --> 00:01:05.640 Father's will. 00:01:05.900 --> 00:01:14.539 We could go on and on and on about the immense goodness of this life in the kingdom, but we 00:01:14.539 --> 00:01:17.379 know that it also comes at cost. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:26.819 Jesus, in chapter 16, has called his followers to deny themselves, to take up a cross and 00:01:26.819 --> 00:01:27.539 follow him. 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:31.519 Life of a kingdom is a death to self. 00:01:31.619 --> 00:01:37.060 It's a self-denying life, not just for the sake of self-denial, but for the sake of living 00:01:37.060 --> 00:01:37.579 for Jesus. 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:43.179 It's a losing of one's life for his sake. 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:50.420 And in fact, it's in that losing of our lives, of ourselves, that we find life. 00:01:52.299 --> 00:01:58.920 Well, forgiveness is one of those acute areas of cost for the follower of Jesus. 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:05.000 Though we love Jesus and we love one another as Christians, sometimes we hurt each other. 00:02:06.219 --> 00:02:08.920 Sometimes we hurt each other really, really badly. 00:02:11.460 --> 00:02:18.879 Often it's a nagging sin, like a repeating flare-up of anger from a husband to a wife. 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:28.159 Sometimes it's a much weightier matter, that of sexual immorality or some sort of verbal 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:29.400 or physical abuse. 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:37.479 Sometimes forgiveness involves a hidden sin that's been sort of in the dark for a long 00:02:37.479 --> 00:02:41.599 time and all of a sudden revealed, and the weight of it can feel unbearable. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:49.740 Well, questions like these come to mind as we think about what forgiveness may cost us 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:50.400 as disciples. 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:53.180 What if I've really been hurt? 00:02:54.879 --> 00:03:01.099 What if this is the 3,000th time I've had to deal with this same sin from this same brother 00:03:01.099 --> 00:03:01.780 or sister? 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:10.599 What if her apologies are just growing cold and it seems like his repentance is fake and 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:11.219 not sincere? 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:15.939 What if a brother shows no remorse at all? 00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:24.799 When it comes to being sinned against, how costly is the forgiveness that we must offer? 00:03:27.900 --> 00:03:33.079 Might there be a sin that's so big that as Christians we're under no obligation to forgive a brother 00:03:33.079 --> 00:03:33.599 or sister? 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:40.539 Can a sinning sister commit so many offenses that I'm off the hook in forgiveness? 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:48.259 That I can stop forgiving because, well, that 3,001 sin crossed the line. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:54.439 Can a Christian ever reach a limit in forgiving a fellow Christian? 00:03:54.439 --> 00:04:02.120 Whether in size or number, how much and how often must we as Christians forgive each other? 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:05.419 We've asked this question, right? 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:07.359 We've wrestled with this internally. 00:04:08.359 --> 00:04:09.599 Some more than others. 00:04:10.419 --> 00:04:11.860 Some because of grievous sin. 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:16.379 Grievous wrongdoing that other Christians have committed against us. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:21.019 Well, in answering these questions, we're not left in the dark. 00:04:22.159 --> 00:04:25.620 Jesus gives us the answer in our text. 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:32.199 Last week, Mike walked us through these practical steps of seeking reconciliation. 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:38.399 When a brother or sister sins against us, the steps we take to pursue reconciliation with 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:38.879 him or her. 00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:42.860 Well, this week, we're going to get surgical on our hearts. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:48.379 How must my heart be towards a sinning Christian? 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:52.240 Towards a brother or sister who has wronged me? 00:04:53.100 --> 00:04:55.759 What is my obligation? 00:04:58.780 --> 00:05:00.540 Well, let's read the text together. 00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:02.840 We're in Matthew chapter 18. 00:05:03.580 --> 00:05:09.759 If you haven't opened there yet, Matthew chapter 18, starting in verse 21. 00:05:10.960 --> 00:05:12.639 We'll go to the end of the chapter. 00:05:12.860 --> 00:05:22.020 Then Peter came up and said to him, to Jesus, Lord, how often will my brother sin against 00:05:22.020 --> 00:05:23.100 me and I forgive him? 00:05:23.460 --> 00:05:24.939 As many as seven times? 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:32.259 Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times, but 70 times seven. 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:38.199 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:38.680 his servants. 00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:44.160 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents. 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:53.240 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold with his wife and children and 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:55.920 all that he had and payment to be made. 00:05:56.379 --> 00:06:00.699 So the servant fell on his knees imploring him, have patience with me and I will pay you 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:01.160 everything. 00:06:01.160 --> 00:06:08.480 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 00:06:09.660 --> 00:06:15.160 But when the same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii. 00:06:16.320 --> 00:06:19.200 And seizing him, he began to choke him saying, pay what you owe. 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:26.740 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, have patience with me and I will pay you. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:32.879 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:39.899 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed and they 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:43.300 went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:51.840 Then his master summoned him and said to him, you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt 00:06:51.840 --> 00:06:53.240 because you pleaded with me. 00:06:54.420 --> 00:07:00.139 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you? 00:07:01.139 --> 00:07:07.480 And in anger, his master delivered him to the jailers until he should pay all his debt. 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:19.240 So also, my heavenly father will do to every one of you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart. 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:25.879 There's three parts to our text this morning. 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:27.520 There's a Q&A. 00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:29.879 There's a parable about the kingdom. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:32.700 And there's a stern warning. 00:07:34.140 --> 00:07:36.120 We're going to examine them each in turn. 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:42.720 First, this Q&A, verses 21 and 22. 00:07:43.660 --> 00:07:49.000 Good old Peter, leading the way here once again, probably thinks he's being super holy. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:54.759 Typical teaching was to forgive a fellow three times. 00:07:55.819 --> 00:07:59.939 And once that fourth occurrence happens, no more forgiveness. 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:05.240 So Peter, in his seven, seems extra generous. 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:12.920 Especially thinking of last week's passage, the time commitment that having to go to a brother and pursue him for reconciliation can be. 00:08:15.079 --> 00:08:19.420 Surely, it seems that Peter is slowly but surely kind of picking up on the teaching of Jesus. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:25.620 He knows to not go, well, you know, just add one or two more instances of forgiving requirements here. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.160 I'll more than double it. 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:28.319 I'll be really generous. 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:31.659 And if Jesus is going to, you know, bring me down a little bit, all the better. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:43.240 But Peter still, in his typical way and in our typical human way, is still doing no more than legalistic ledger keeping here. 00:08:44.319 --> 00:08:45.399 What's my quota? 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:45.519 What? 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:51.100 Jesus, please quantify my obligation toward a dirty, rotten, sinning brother. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:52.860 Seven times? 00:08:54.579 --> 00:08:58.600 Probably patting himself on the back a little bit and the other disciples are kind of cheering him on. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:05.279 But really, it's still a sort of attitude that says, well, I want to be compassionate. 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:07.039 I want to be understanding. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:08.459 But I have my limits. 00:09:10.199 --> 00:09:13.379 That's the kind of posture of heart that Peter's bringing in this question. 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:15.120 But look at Jesus' answer. 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:23.659 In verse 22, I do not tell you seven times, but 70 times seven. 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:27.279 Maybe your translation says 77. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:29.399 There's a footnote in the ESV. 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:36.899 It's a little ambiguous whether Jesus means seven times seven or equals 490 or 77 times. 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:42.340 But let's not miss the point, right? 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:50.600 It's doubtful that Peter now is pulling out his iPhone and checking for a forgiveness app that can store up 490 wrongs. 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:57.080 It's like, well, I could probably, you know, remember seven, but 77 or 490, that's too many. 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:58.860 I need some electronic assistance here. 00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:00.460 No. 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.560 He would understand. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:19.319 But to drive the point home, Jesus is going to share a parable with Peter and the disciples and with all of us. 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:22.860 We'll spend the bulk of our time walking through this parable now. 00:10:23.580 --> 00:10:27.780 So don't get nervous if the clock's ticking by and we're still lingering here. 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:41.459 This parable in verses 23 to 34 summarizes a warning given to all of Jesus' followers about the nature of forgiveness. 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:46.280 Notice the therefore that begins verse 23. 00:10:46.660 --> 00:10:49.920 But more importantly, notice the connection behind that therefore. 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:51.980 Verse 21 and 22. 00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:53.620 Forgiveness must be unceasing. 00:10:53.840 --> 00:11:00.840 Therefore, let me tell you a story about the kingdom and how a king deals with those who refuse this kingdom principle. 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:04.960 It's sobering, but it's real. 00:11:07.780 --> 00:11:09.100 Notice what's going on here. 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:11.399 A king is settling accounts with his servant. 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:20.180 But Peter has asked a horizontal forgiveness question between two brothers or sisters in Christ. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:29.779 And Jesus is going to defend his 77 answer with a vertical forgiveness principle. 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:40.459 He's going to appeal to God's mercy to show that his principle of always forgiving one another in the kingdom of God stands. 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:41.939 And it stands firm. 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:53.059 So this king has authority to settle all accounts with all of his servants because he owns all of the kingdom. 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:55.000 And they are his servants. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:57.639 They are under his authority, under his command. 00:11:58.080 --> 00:11:59.440 And he calls the shots. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:07.700 Right up front, it's not too hard, right, to see that this parable is getting really close to our relationship with God. 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:10.039 Sovereign ruler over all of us. 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:17.320 Calling the shots of how his kingdom is to be run and organized and responded to by all of the people that he welcomes into it. 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:23.900 So verse 24, a servant is brought to this king who owes like a bajillion dollars. 00:12:25.420 --> 00:12:27.120 10,000 talents. 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:31.320 10,000 is the largest number in the Greek language. 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:35.620 And a talent is the largest monetary unit available. 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:39.759 So Jesus is saying the largest number of the largest monetary unit. 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:42.100 That's how much this servant owes. 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:48.080 Well, I did a little math to help us try and grasp just how great this debt is. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:51.460 Let's say we're talking about a talent of gold. 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:56.740 Well, one ounce of gold today is worth $1,290. 00:12:56.740 --> 00:13:05.799 So 16 ounces in a pound means that one pound of gold is worth $20,640. 00:13:07.659 --> 00:13:14.419 Let's say because I like round numbers that a talent is 100 pounds rather than, you know, 75 to 100 at somewhere in there. 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:15.519 Let's say it's 100 pounds. 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:22.279 That means one talent of gold costs $2,064,000. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:24.240 One talent. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:27.600 This guy owes 10,000 of those. 00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:33.799 $20,640,000,000 of debt. 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:37.740 It's astronomical. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:45.220 One commentary writer said it's like 193,000 years of wages. 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:52.000 The servant may have to delay his retirement for a little bit in light of that number. 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:56.480 Well, Jesus uses this astronomical number with great purpose. 00:13:57.759 --> 00:14:05.460 He's not super interested in what kind of job the servant has that would sort of accrue such a debt to the king. 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:16.100 Nor is he interested in trying to justify using a number that's more money than it would have been in circulation in the entire region at the time. 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.340 No. 00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:24.000 His astronomical figures are for a theological point. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:27.320 Remember, this is a kingdom parable. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:29.740 Verse 25. 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:32.100 Notice the consequence. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:38.220 The servant, his wife, his children, and all he has are to be sold. 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:45.600 Now, of course, this won't even scratch the surface of repaying the debt. 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:48.720 But at least the king can recoup a little something. 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:55.759 At least he is only out 9,999.5 talents and not 10,000. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:59.019 Verse 26. 00:14:59.179 --> 00:15:00.840 The waterworks start. 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:09.759 The servant falls at his feet, lies prostrate, total and last-ditch effort of desperation. 00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:12.799 Assumes the posture of a beggar. 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:17.080 And he even throws in an empty promise to repay the debt. 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:24.520 Because surely he doesn't have 193,000 years to repay. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:29.460 But maybe in his mind he's saying, I can at least buy myself a little bit of time here. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:36.900 Then something phenomenal happens in verse 27. 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:43.740 Out of pity, the king releases him from the debt. 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:48.039 And we've seen this word three times before in Matthew's gospel. 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:54.519 We may not recognize it because it's translated as compassion the previous three times. 00:15:56.259 --> 00:16:00.620 But we've seen Jesus having compassion over and over and over on people in need. 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:05.340 We see him see the people as sheep without a shepherd and he has compassion. 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:07.200 And he goes and he starts teaching them. 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:12.279 We see a group of 5,000 Jews and later 4,000 Gentiles. 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:14.959 And Jesus has compassion and he meets their need of hunger. 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:20.459 Over and over and over in this gospel we see that Jesus is compassionate. 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:24.740 That he extends pity and mercy towards those in need. 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:28.019 So too this king in our parable. 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:34.720 Now the release of any size debt would be generous of this king. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:38.540 But 20.5 billion dollars? 00:16:39.540 --> 00:16:40.980 It's unheard of. 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:43.139 Who is this king? 00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:46.800 Jesus is brilliant here. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:52.279 He not only describes the kingdom policy of forgiveness. 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:57.639 But in this parable he's helping to define forgiveness for us. 00:16:57.639 --> 00:17:02.600 What happens to the debt of this servant? 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:06.440 The servant himself is off the hook. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.599 But does the king get his money back? 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.440 Certainly not. 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:17.420 The king takes the debt on himself. 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:21.740 That's what it means to forgive, isn't it? 00:17:22.820 --> 00:17:24.400 Someone sins against us. 00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:28.080 And we choose to absorb what they owe us. 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.620 We take the debt. 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:33.300 We release them from it. 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:38.480 Notice the king here doesn't say, 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:40.960 Okay, I'll release you so you can repay. 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.039 He cancels it. 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:43.740 Paid in full. 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:45.940 According to his ledger. 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:48.680 The king assumes the debt. 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:52.779 He cancels the servant's obligation. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:55.220 That's forgiveness. 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:59.460 When we are wronged, 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:02.059 we assume the debt ourselves. 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:04.980 We don't retaliate. 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.920 We don't get even. 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:09.019 We cancel the debt. 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:12.080 We don't let that wrongdoing 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:14.900 determine how we treat a brother or sister 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:16.040 from that point on. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.000 Never. 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:26.259 Now to get Jesus' point here, 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:27.900 the grounds of his argument 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:31.019 that 77 or 490 is the number, 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.840 that forgiveness is to be ceaseless, 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.840 we need to notice the relationship 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:37.580 between this king and this servant. 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:41.960 The king is a sovereign ruler. 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:46.539 He rules sovereignly and with full authority 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.559 over all that he has, 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.579 his whole territory. 00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:52.460 The kingdom of heaven may be compared 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.960 to a king. 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:57.259 When we shift from money to morals, 00:18:58.199 --> 00:18:59.740 from money to righteousness, 00:18:59.919 --> 00:19:01.240 we immediately find ourselves 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:03.000 in this servant's position, don't we? 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:07.099 From our perspective, 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:10.420 innumerable transgressions 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:15.319 leading to an immeasurable debt of sin. 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:18.779 Each and every wrongdoing 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:21.940 intimately known by our Heavenly Father. 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:25.420 And he knows full well 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.580 that to pardon us 00:19:26.580 --> 00:19:28.600 would not result in our ability 00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:29.740 to repay him. 00:19:30.820 --> 00:19:32.980 Not such a grievous moral debt. 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:36.400 So, just like this king, 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.340 our Heavenly Father, 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:39.559 filled with such immense compassion 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.200 and mercy, 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:43.039 in seeing our need, 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.039 cancels our debt. 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:51.779 He takes it on himself. 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.019 Right? 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:54.359 It doesn't magically disappear. 00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:57.379 He doesn't get the debt he owes. 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.819 He absorbs the cost. 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.859 Our passage doesn't spell it out, 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.559 but we know, right? 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.779 We know how he does this. 00:20:06.879 --> 00:20:08.220 We've been singing about it all morning. 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:10.480 That's why we gather every Sunday. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:15.399 Jesus was wounded for our transgressions. 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:19.319 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:22.619 On him was the chastisement 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.940 that brought us peace. 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:27.440 By his stripes we are healed. 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.680 Isaiah 53, 5. 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:33.759 I like how Mark 10, 45 puts it. 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:35.379 The Son of Man came not to be served, 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:38.519 but to serve and to give his life 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:40.960 as a ransom for many. 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.119 Friends, 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:45.679 our freedom 00:20:45.679 --> 00:20:48.519 comes at great expense to God. 00:20:51.199 --> 00:20:54.039 It's a debt much greater than $20.6 billion. 00:20:56.199 --> 00:20:57.379 It's a sin debt 00:20:57.379 --> 00:20:59.459 of infinite proportions, 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:02.579 and it's paid in full by Jesus. 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:07.720 What a compassionate king. 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:12.559 Can you even begin to believe 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:14.279 the kindness that God has shown us? 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:16.019 It's incredible. 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:20.599 Let me stop and just say now, 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:23.919 when you're in need of the heart, 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.859 the posture of heart 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:26.119 to forgive a brother or sister, 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.279 you turn to God's mercy. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.779 Don't go anywhere else. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.119 Turn to His mercy, 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:31.839 and you remember what He's done in Christ. 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.859 There's strength and power in that. 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:39.439 Our story's only halfway done. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.519 We've got to keep reading here. 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:44.059 Jesus isn't done making His point. 00:21:45.679 --> 00:21:46.659 Verse 28, 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.840 this servant, 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:50.180 still wiping tears from his eyes 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.540 and the sweat from his brow, 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.560 heads out. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.480 Phew, 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.500 that was a close one. 00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:58.220 He searches out a fellow servant 00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:00.860 and joyfully releases him 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:02.440 from his comparatively minuscule debt 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.200 of 100 denarii. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.380 At least that's 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:08.100 how we'd expect him to respond. 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:10.779 But no, 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:14.279 this four months wages 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:16.599 versus 193,000 years, 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.459 the servant is outraged 00:22:19.459 --> 00:22:20.619 at his fellow servant. 00:22:21.699 --> 00:22:23.339 He starts choking him violently 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:24.819 by a debt 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.539 one 600,000 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.559 the size 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.240 of the debt 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.419 he had just been forgiven. 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.199 Verse 29, 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:34.980 notice the 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.440 intentional 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:38.480 near word for word 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.120 repetition 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:41.400 of his fellow servant's plea. 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:45.460 This guy should have known 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:45.680 that, 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:45.900 man, 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:47.400 I just said this to the king 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:49.059 a short while ago, 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:52.200 begging for patience, 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:53.960 promising to repay, 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:55.160 and here's a fellow servant 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:56.740 asking the same of me. 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:01.700 Likely, 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:03.180 this servant even had a real chance 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.019 to repay the debt. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.700 four months wages, 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.119 probably do that, 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.180 set up a savings account, 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.259 maybe work a little extra 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.920 on the weekends. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.119 Maybe. 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.119 But no, 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.960 the freshly forgiven servant 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:19.980 rejects the plea 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:22.180 and he throws 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:23.379 his fellow servant 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:24.240 in prison 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:26.019 until the debt 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.740 could be paid. 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.019 Servant's not going to be 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.119 making license plates 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.519 in there 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.279 to earn money. 00:23:35.199 --> 00:23:36.379 He can't pay the debt 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:36.959 from prison. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.719 It's overly harsh 00:23:39.719 --> 00:23:41.359 and it's 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.279 inconceivable 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:42.859 anger 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.619 that this servant 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.199 is showing 00:23:45.199 --> 00:23:46.500 to a fellow servant. 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:48.659 No wonder 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:49.519 in verse 31 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.619 that his fellow servants 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:51.919 are so dismayed 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:52.459 and distraught 00:23:52.459 --> 00:23:52.839 over this. 00:23:52.939 --> 00:23:53.839 They're grieved 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:55.099 beyond belief. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:58.819 Terrified 00:23:58.819 --> 00:24:00.119 by what has transpired. 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:03.799 just as a little aside, 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.599 I wonder, 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.219 I've been asking myself 00:24:06.219 --> 00:24:06.679 this week 00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:08.259 if I'm as concerned 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.459 by witnessing 00:24:09.459 --> 00:24:10.699 a lack of forgiveness 00:24:10.699 --> 00:24:11.679 among God's people 00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:12.679 as these servants are 00:24:12.679 --> 00:24:13.239 in witnessing 00:24:13.239 --> 00:24:14.479 unforgiveness 00:24:14.479 --> 00:24:16.239 of a debt 00:24:16.239 --> 00:24:17.759 among their fellow servants. 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:19.859 A lack of mercy 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.920 should be incredibly 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.420 disturbing to us 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:24.420 as people 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.839 who know 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.319 the mercy 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.140 that the king 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.200 has shown us. 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.000 So the servants 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.839 go and they report 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:32.440 every last little detail 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.099 to the king. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.960 Verse 32 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.660 to 34, 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.819 the king takes action. 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.200 His guns are blazing 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.259 and he is red hot. 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:44.799 He doesn't sort of 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:46.180 ease into this conversation. 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:46.660 He just 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.920 straight away 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:49.000 wicked servant. 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:51.420 You evil doer. 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.460 And the next thing 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.099 out of his mouth, 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:54.859 it's hard to see it 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.180 in English, 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.819 but the next thing 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.019 he says, 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.900 all that debt. 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:58.940 He can't even 00:24:58.940 --> 00:25:00.480 finish a sentence 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.279 to get it out. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:01.980 All that debt. 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:04.019 Every last shekel. 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.640 Totally forgiven you 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:08.319 because you begged me. 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:10.879 Because you fell 00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:12.039 and asked for mercy. 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:15.240 Verse 33, 00:25:16.439 --> 00:25:17.319 the king asks 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:19.980 a really telling question. 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:23.000 And the should language 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:24.359 is probably a little soft. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.819 It's more in lines of 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:27.579 wasn't it necessary? 00:25:29.419 --> 00:25:30.299 You wicked servant, 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.319 were you not 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:32.519 under obligation 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:35.500 to pay the mercy 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.039 forward 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.679 to your fellow servant? 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.740 Of course. 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.579 Of course he was. 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.460 That's the answer. 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:45.119 Remember the king's mercy. 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:49.000 It wasn't a mere suggestion. 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.720 It was a silent 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.539 but obvious 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:54.159 authoritative mandate 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:56.599 to pay mercy forward. 00:25:59.379 --> 00:25:59.899 Let me just 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:01.099 step aside. 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.779 Sin is real. 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:09.680 And the grievous 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.680 nature of it 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:12.519 can be very, 00:26:12.619 --> 00:26:12.879 very, 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.899 very weighty. 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.639 Jesus in this parable 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.599 and in this text 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:19.839 is not minimizing 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:21.160 real wrong 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:23.139 that people have 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.279 committed against us. 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.680 He's not minimizing it. 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.259 He's not saying, 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:27.660 oh, 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.599 just forgive and forget. 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.420 Don't let them 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.879 have power over you. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.220 You need to just forgive 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.180 and move on with your life. 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.160 That's not what he's saying. 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.360 He's saying 00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:37.240 there's a real debt 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:39.460 and there's a real cost. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.519 And yet, 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:45.660 he does not flinch 00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.799 in reframing 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.860 the entire 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:49.500 realm 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.500 of wrongs 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.140 done to us 00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:52.900 in light of God's mercy. 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:55.160 He refuses to say, 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.320 well, 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.519 there's some things 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:58.160 that maybe 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.799 you're right 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.740 to just never forgive 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.779 from a brother or sister. 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:02.559 He doesn't. 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:02.879 He says, 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.819 look at God's mercy. 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.940 You've got to pay it forward. 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:06.980 You have to. 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.740 It's an obligation 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.660 of the kingdom 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:10.920 to be merciful. 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:16.259 We'll see in verse 34, 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.160 the formerly 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.559 compassionate king 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.259 now responds 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:22.139 in anger. 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.359 The servant heads 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.279 not just to jail, 00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:26.759 but this 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:28.619 jailer's word, 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.039 you may have a footnote, 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.039 saying, 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.819 torturers. 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.599 This is bad news 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.200 for the servant. 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.859 He's thrown in prison 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.359 for the sake 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.200 of being tormented 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:41.240 for his lack of mercy. 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.579 This has eternal 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.359 scope 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.960 and weight to it. 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.759 He's going to remain 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.980 in a torturous place 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.680 until his debt 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.039 is paid 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.659 and obviously 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.420 he cannot 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.599 have any hope 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.420 of paying the debt 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:58.240 until life's sentence 00:27:58.240 --> 00:28:01.480 and notice 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.140 that the punishment 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.140 is now more severe. 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.579 At first, 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.559 he was going to be sold. 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.880 The king recouped 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:07.400 a little bit. 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.819 Now he's thrown 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.279 in jail. 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.380 The king's out 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.160 the whole sum of money, 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.380 but he's going to get justice. 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:17.420 The pardoned debtor's 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:17.980 failure 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.140 to be merciful 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:21.559 results 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:23.440 in a much more 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.140 severe judgment 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.700 for him. 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:28.539 Well, 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.200 to make sure 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.519 that Peter 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.960 and the other disciples 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.380 and we ourselves 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:33.900 today 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:35.340 understand 00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.960 this parable 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.019 Jesus summarizes 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.680 with a warning 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:39.799 in verse 35. 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.279 So also, 00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:43.640 in this same way, 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.680 my heavenly father 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.380 will do 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:47.440 to every 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.380 one of you 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:50.720 if you do not 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.519 forgive your brother 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.100 or sister 00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:53.140 from your heart. 00:28:53.140 --> 00:29:02.960 let's not tread lightly 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.660 over this 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:05.220 warning. 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.220 But in light of what 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.820 we've just seen 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:09.460 in this text, 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.580 I think we can 00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:11.020 summarize 00:29:11.020 --> 00:29:12.280 the whole of it 00:29:12.280 --> 00:29:13.680 in this way. 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.240 In light 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.020 of his 00:29:17.020 --> 00:29:17.820 mercy, 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:20.660 your heavenly 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.240 father 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.520 demands 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.599 that you 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.059 always 00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.839 and forever 00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.859 forgive 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:26.460 your fellow 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:26.940 Christians. 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:29.759 In light 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.200 of his 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:31.819 extravagant 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.539 generosity 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:33.700 and compassion 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.139 shown 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:35.539 a bunch 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.359 of rebels 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:36.799 like you 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.139 and me 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:37.639 who owe 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.000 a debt 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.400 that is 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.720 immeasurable 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.619 and unpayable 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.859 by any stretch 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.680 of our imagination, 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.180 in light 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.539 of that 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:43.960 mercy, 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.339 our God 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.119 demands, 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.920 he obligates 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.740 us as his 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.299 people to 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:51.160 always and forever 00:29:51.160 --> 00:29:51.940 forgive one 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.279 another, 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.360 all of our 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:53.820 wrongdoing, 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.860 always. 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:01.320 Let me just 00:30:01.320 --> 00:30:02.160 try and 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:03.320 make two 00:30:03.320 --> 00:30:04.900 points of 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:06.519 application 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.559 to close. 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.120 Jesus 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:13.039 addresses our 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.680 hearts here 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:15.820 and we often 00:30:15.820 --> 00:30:16.759 need great 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.360 amounts of 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:17.759 wisdom 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:19.339 to practically 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.180 obey this 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.539 command. 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.779 He places 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.599 an obligation 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.579 upon our 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.240 hearts to 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.059 always and 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:27.759 forever forgive 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.539 because of 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.039 God's 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.879 willingness to 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.619 forgive us. 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.819 Remember, 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:34.759 there's real 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.740 consequences to 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:35.980 sin. 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:39.000 Someone has 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.640 to pay the 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.980 cost of each 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.319 and every 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.920 wrongdoing. 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:44.800 forgiveness 00:30:44.800 --> 00:30:45.400 may be a 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:45.980 hard attitude, 00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:46.620 it may be a 00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:46.940 matter of 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.340 the heart, 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.880 but reconciliation 00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:49.980 and restoration 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:51.220 is a process, 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.360 often full of 00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:53.680 pain, 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.740 often long, 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.400 often coming 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:57.920 at further 00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:59.259 cost to us. 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:04.000 But a 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.299 heart of 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:04.680 forgiveness 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:05.960 longs for 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:06.160 that 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:06.859 reconciliation. 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.799 Jesus is 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.400 addressing our 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:11.720 hearts, 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.160 he's saying, 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:12.879 have this 00:31:12.879 --> 00:31:13.839 posture as 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.420 a disciple, 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.039 as a 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:15.259 kingdom 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.700 citizen, 00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:16.259 a heart 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.079 of forgiveness 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.059 that always 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.720 forgives. 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.740 Christian, 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.480 you bear the 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.339 cost owed 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:23.379 to you by 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:23.900 your brother 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.400 or sister 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:24.960 who wrongs 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.079 you. 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:25.619 You bear 00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:25.900 it. 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:30.019 it takes 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.420 a lot of 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.740 wisdom. 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.660 Sometimes 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:34.840 sin really, 00:31:35.080 --> 00:31:35.480 really, 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.680 really affects 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.340 us for the 00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:37.720 rest of our 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.120 lives. 00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:41.560 And yet 00:31:41.560 --> 00:31:42.400 Jesus does 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.220 not compromise 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.480 this principle 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.000 of the kingdom. 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.100 You must be 00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:46.800 merciful because 00:31:46.800 --> 00:31:47.600 God is merciful 00:31:47.600 --> 00:31:48.080 to you. 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.040 Second, 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:57.099 why, 00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:57.960 you may be 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.319 asking, 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.220 does Jesus 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.000 zero in 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.579 here on 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.299 Christians 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:01.720 forgiving 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.180 other 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.539 Christians? 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.879 What about 00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.720 unbelievers? 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.579 What's our 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.139 responsibility 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:08.079 to them? 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:09.480 Well, 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:09.920 there's other 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.460 places in 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:10.879 Matthew's 00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:11.519 gospel where 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.059 we can 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.519 turn to 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:12.740 kind of 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.359 see a 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:14.180 fuller, 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:14.980 more robust 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:15.639 understanding 00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.200 of forgiveness. 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.079 Jesus says, 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.339 you've heard it 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:18.519 said, 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:19.059 love your 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.519 neighbor and 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:19.799 hate your 00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.019 enemy, 00:32:20.139 --> 00:32:20.339 but I 00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:20.720 tell you, 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.279 love your 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:21.539 enemy. 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.359 Pray for 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:22.719 those who 00:32:22.719 --> 00:32:23.179 persecute 00:32:23.179 --> 00:32:23.419 you. 00:32:24.979 --> 00:32:25.559 But I 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.719 think he's 00:32:26.719 --> 00:32:27.419 specifically 00:32:27.419 --> 00:32:28.240 talking about 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.879 Christians here 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:30.359 for a 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:30.919 real reason. 00:32:32.719 --> 00:32:33.359 And we 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:33.659 come to 00:32:33.659 --> 00:32:34.240 understand that 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:34.759 reason by 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.439 asking what's 00:32:35.439 --> 00:32:36.039 at stake 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:37.719 in what 00:32:37.719 --> 00:32:38.259 Jesus is 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:38.779 calling us 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.000 to, 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.299 forgiving 00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:41.000 one another 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.859 within the 00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:42.259 body of 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:43.399 Christ forever 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:44.019 and always. 00:32:46.179 --> 00:32:46.719 Well, 00:32:46.719 --> 00:32:47.039 there's a 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.619 three-fold 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.059 reason. 00:32:49.979 --> 00:32:50.379 Unity, 00:32:51.679 --> 00:32:52.099 witness, 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:52.719 unity, 00:32:52.719 --> 00:32:53.439 and 00:32:53.439 --> 00:32:53.879 eternity. 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.379 What's at 00:32:57.379 --> 00:32:57.699 stake? 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.339 Our unity 00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:59.379 as one 00:32:59.379 --> 00:33:00.859 body in 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.599 Jesus Christ 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:01.979 is at 00:33:01.979 --> 00:33:02.379 stake. 00:33:03.159 --> 00:33:03.839 Each one 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.319 of us as 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:04.659 Christians 00:33:04.659 --> 00:33:05.459 belongs to 00:33:05.459 --> 00:33:05.919 one another. 00:33:06.679 --> 00:33:06.959 We're 00:33:06.959 --> 00:33:07.759 inseparably 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.379 joined 00:33:08.379 --> 00:33:11.259 because of 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:11.719 what God 00:33:11.719 --> 00:33:12.119 has done 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:12.559 for us 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.179 in Christ. 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:14.000 We're not 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.299 just a 00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:14.599 room full 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.379 of individuals 00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:16.259 detached from 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:16.679 one another. 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:17.779 We're one 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.219 body. 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.179 We're in 00:33:19.179 --> 00:33:19.839 this together. 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:19.980 together. 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:22.500 I love 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:22.899 how Paul 00:33:22.899 --> 00:33:23.259 says it 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:23.699 in Ephesians 00:33:23.699 --> 00:33:24.259 4-3 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.819 that we 00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:25.000 are to 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.500 be eager 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.319 to maintain 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:27.000 the unity 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.559 of the 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:27.879 spirit 00:33:27.879 --> 00:33:28.279 and the 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:28.480 bond 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.059 of peace. 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.220 Well, 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.579 eager to 00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:32.019 maintain 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.539 implies 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:34.240 that we 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.699 didn't earn 00:33:34.699 --> 00:33:34.899 it, 00:33:35.179 --> 00:33:35.539 we're not 00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:36.279 achieving it 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.059 or accomplishing 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.519 it on our 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:37.639 own. 00:33:37.699 --> 00:33:37.859 We're 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:38.359 maintaining 00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:38.980 something that 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.539 God has 00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:40.240 already 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:41.199 established 00:33:41.199 --> 00:33:42.000 in our 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.399 midst. 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:44.160 a unity 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:44.640 that is 00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:45.080 purchased 00:33:45.080 --> 00:33:45.700 by the 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.980 blood 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.500 of Jesus 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.019 Christ. 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.440 That unity 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:50.060 should be 00:33:50.060 --> 00:33:50.700 precious to 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.000 us. 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.480 We must 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.200 always 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.300 maintain it. 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:56.180 And often 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:56.680 that means 00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:58.080 we absorb 00:33:58.080 --> 00:33:58.720 the cost 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.540 of a sinning 00:33:59.540 --> 00:34:00.280 brother or 00:34:00.280 --> 00:34:00.600 sister. 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:03.060 Our unity 00:34:03.060 --> 00:34:03.680 is at stake, 00:34:03.800 --> 00:34:04.300 but not just 00:34:04.300 --> 00:34:04.759 our unity, 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.460 our witness. 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:08.220 Last week 00:34:08.220 --> 00:34:08.559 we ended 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.240 the service 00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:10.139 by reading 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.680 from John 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:11.579 13 where 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.840 Jesus says, 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:13.460 I'm giving 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:13.799 you this 00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:14.559 new commandment 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.639 that you'd 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.099 love one 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:16.400 another. 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:18.799 And then 00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:19.099 he says 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.659 this interesting 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:19.920 thing, 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.400 by this 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.059 all people 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.599 will know 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.000 that you 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.340 are my 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:22.799 disciples 00:34:22.799 --> 00:34:24.599 if you 00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.099 have love 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.440 for one 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:25.719 another. 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:28.840 The world 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.699 holds grudges. 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.679 The world 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:32.699 strangles each 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.219 other and 00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:33.739 demands 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:35.739 payment. 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.219 Not so 00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:38.739 with God's 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:39.059 people. 00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:42.019 We are 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:42.420 a city 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:42.840 set on 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.119 a hill 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:44.860 and in 00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:45.259 love we 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.779 forgive one 00:34:45.779 --> 00:34:46.079 another 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:48.119 so that 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:48.639 our witness 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:49.159 would be 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:49.980 salty and 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:51.239 bright in 00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:51.739 Kenosha and 00:34:51.739 --> 00:34:52.059 among the 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.440 nations. 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.980 Our witness 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.920 is at stake. 00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:59.119 And finally, 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:02.159 to end on 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:03.559 a sober 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:03.860 note, 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.779 our eternity 00:35:04.779 --> 00:35:05.539 is at stake. 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:08.659 I've had 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:08.960 to lay 00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:09.659 aside some 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:10.559 theological 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:11.239 frameworks 00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:11.860 this week 00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:12.400 and just 00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:12.920 try to 00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:14.239 take the 00:35:14.239 --> 00:35:14.719 text at 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:15.320 face value 00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:15.719 and not 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.340 do a bunch 00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:16.920 of gymnastics 00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:17.400 with it. 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:19.119 But we 00:35:19.119 --> 00:35:19.599 see that 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.039 warning in 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.679 verse 35. 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.420 If you do 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.019 not forgive 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.420 from your 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:22.719 heart, 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:23.199 God will 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:23.659 judge you 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.139 accordingly. 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.199 Let this 00:35:27.199 --> 00:35:28.199 warning from 00:35:28.199 --> 00:35:28.739 the lips of 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:29.420 Jesus correct 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:29.880 your heart 00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:30.239 today. 00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:34.159 let it 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:34.399 give you 00:35:34.399 --> 00:35:34.959 a gritty 00:35:34.959 --> 00:35:35.639 determined 00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:37.039 purposed 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:38.699 resolve to 00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:39.519 always forgive 00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:40.139 brothers and 00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:40.619 sisters in 00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.259 Christ no 00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:41.979 matter what. 00:35:44.359 --> 00:35:44.659 Now that 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.259 might look 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:45.659 different, 00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:45.899 right? 00:35:45.939 --> 00:35:46.279 It doesn't 00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:46.739 mean that 00:35:46.739 --> 00:35:48.019 relationship is 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.619 just perfectly 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:49.079 restored 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:49.539 immediately. 00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:51.019 It doesn't 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:51.359 mean that 00:35:51.359 --> 00:35:52.239 some sins 00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:53.179 are to the 00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:53.679 point where 00:35:53.679 --> 00:35:54.399 we have to 00:35:54.399 --> 00:35:55.199 separate ourselves 00:35:55.199 --> 00:35:55.539 from one 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:55.779 another. 00:35:55.919 --> 00:35:56.179 But we 00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:56.739 forgive from 00:35:56.739 --> 00:35:57.319 our hearts. 00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:58.339 We don't 00:35:58.339 --> 00:36:00.039 let a debt 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:01.880 mentality show 00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:02.320 up in our 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:03.000 hearts towards 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.659 other believers. 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:07.460 Let this 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:08.340 text set you 00:36:08.340 --> 00:36:08.840 on a path 00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:09.519 to forgive 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:12.079 any brother 00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:12.779 or sister 00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:13.980 you've got 00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:14.360 an issue 00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:14.699 with. 00:36:17.239 --> 00:36:17.920 Make no 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:18.199 mistake, 00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:18.960 if somebody's 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.320 coming to 00:36:19.320 --> 00:36:19.679 mind now, 00:36:20.159 --> 00:36:20.779 go to them. 00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.000 Resolve 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:22.400 this. 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:23.820 Let them 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:24.199 know that 00:36:24.199 --> 00:36:24.679 you forgive 00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:24.960 them. 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:26.300 Free them 00:36:26.300 --> 00:36:26.840 from thinking 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:27.239 that you're 00:36:27.239 --> 00:36:27.759 holding them 00:36:27.759 --> 00:36:28.199 under some 00:36:28.199 --> 00:36:28.500 kind of 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.099 obligation. 00:36:30.039 --> 00:36:31.960 maybe there's 00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.759 nobody in 00:36:32.759 --> 00:36:33.079 your mind 00:36:33.079 --> 00:36:33.519 right now. 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:35.659 Then let 00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.340 this text 00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:37.119 strengthen 00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:38.079 your resolve. 00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:39.659 Someday 00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:39.980 there's 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.599 very high 00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.000 likelihood 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:42.480 that you 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:42.739 will be 00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:43.320 wronged 00:36:43.320 --> 00:36:44.559 and Jesus 00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:45.019 will call 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:45.340 you to 00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:45.779 forgive 00:36:45.779 --> 00:36:47.880 because of 00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:48.219 God's 00:36:48.219 --> 00:36:48.539 mercy. 00:36:50.659 --> 00:36:51.320 And just 00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:51.619 as we've 00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:52.139 been singing 00:36:52.139 --> 00:36:52.699 all morning 00:36:52.699 --> 00:36:53.039 and we're 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:53.239 going to 00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:53.679 close with 00:36:53.679 --> 00:36:54.300 another song 00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:54.840 about God's 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:55.119 mercy, 00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:56.199 let this 00:36:56.199 --> 00:36:56.619 passage 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.599 remind you 00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:58.759 just how 00:36:58.759 --> 00:36:59.219 great 00:36:59.219 --> 00:37:00.099 debt 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:00.599 Jesus 00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:00.980 Christ 00:37:00.980 --> 00:37:01.319 paid 00:37:01.319 --> 00:37:01.599 for 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:01.880 you. 00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:03.400 He died 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:03.960 for your 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:04.400 sins 00:37:04.400 --> 00:37:05.380 and made 00:37:05.380 --> 00:37:06.159 full payment 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:07.119 on the 00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:07.500 cross 00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.019 that you 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:08.420 and I 00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:09.159 might be 00:37:09.159 --> 00:37:09.639 free of 00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:10.139 obligation 00:37:10.139 --> 00:37:10.619 to him 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.279 in the 00:37:11.279 --> 00:37:11.839 sense of 00:37:11.839 --> 00:37:12.539 paying for 00:37:12.539 --> 00:37:13.039 sin. 00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:17.279 Life in 00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:17.699 the kingdom 00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:19.079 is a really 00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:19.699 good life 00:37:19.699 --> 00:37:21.659 and it's 00:37:21.659 --> 00:37:22.159 a life 00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:22.699 that comes 00:37:22.699 --> 00:37:23.259 at great 00:37:23.259 --> 00:37:24.159 cost at 00:37:24.159 --> 00:37:24.440 different 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:24.940 points in 00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:25.500 our lives. 00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:27.860 here Jesus 00:37:27.860 --> 00:37:28.380 tells us 00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:28.780 that life 00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:29.039 in the 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:29.260 kingdom 00:37:29.260 --> 00:37:30.420 means that 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.840 we have 00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.460 an ongoing 00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:31.980 commitment 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.760 to forgive 00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:33.320 one another 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:34.539 in light 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:35.000 of God's 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:35.320 mercy. 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:38.179 Let's take 00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:38.500 that to 00:37:38.500 --> 00:37:39.059 heart today 00:37:39.059 --> 00:37:40.139 and be 00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:40.539 quick to 00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:40.880 forgive. 00:37:42.199 --> 00:37:42.800 Our unity, 00:37:42.980 --> 00:37:43.400 our witness, 00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:43.699 and our 00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:44.039 eternity 00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:44.460 are at 00:37:44.460 --> 00:37:44.739 stake. 00:37:45.699 --> 00:37:46.219 Let's 00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:46.420 pray. 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:50.480 Heavenly 00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:50.800 Father, 00:37:50.940 --> 00:37:52.420 we thank 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:52.820 you so 00:37:52.820 --> 00:37:53.320 much for 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:53.719 the mercy 00:37:53.719 --> 00:37:54.199 that you 00:37:54.199 --> 00:37:54.539 have shown 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.000 to us. 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:58.099 paying off 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:58.679 our 00:37:58.679 --> 00:37:59.579 immeasurable 00:37:59.579 --> 00:38:00.079 debt of 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:00.360 sin 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:02.360 and forgiving 00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:02.940 us all 00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:03.199 of our 00:38:03.199 --> 00:38:03.920 trespasses. 00:38:06.619 --> 00:38:07.099 God, 00:38:07.159 --> 00:38:07.460 help us 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:07.739 to be 00:38:07.739 --> 00:38:08.380 merciful in 00:38:08.380 --> 00:38:08.699 light of 00:38:08.699 --> 00:38:09.000 this. 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:10.519 Give us 00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:11.400 grace to 00:38:11.400 --> 00:38:12.639 forgive even 00:38:12.639 --> 00:38:13.239 the hardest 00:38:13.239 --> 00:38:14.159 of situations 00:38:14.159 --> 00:38:15.659 that we may 00:38:15.659 --> 00:38:16.579 face when a 00:38:16.579 --> 00:38:17.039 brother or 00:38:17.039 --> 00:38:17.780 sister does 00:38:17.780 --> 00:38:18.300 us wrong. 00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:20.000 Help us, 00:38:20.099 --> 00:38:20.219 God. 00:38:20.260 --> 00:38:20.519 We need 00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:21.079 help here. 00:38:21.320 --> 00:38:21.639 This is 00:38:21.639 --> 00:38:22.059 hard, 00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:23.719 but you're 00:38:23.719 --> 00:38:24.059 good. 00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:25.320 we want 00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:25.739 to follow 00:38:25.739 --> 00:38:26.079 you. 00:38:27.539 --> 00:38:27.940 Help us, 00:38:28.099 --> 00:38:28.519 we pray in 00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:28.779 Jesus' 00:38:28.940 --> 00:38:29.139 name. 00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:29.799 Amen. 00:38:29.800 --> 00:38:59.780 Thank you.