We Never Forgive a Greater Debt Than the One Christ Forgave

Forgiven People Forgive

Week 1 — We Never Forgive a Greater Debt Than the One Christ Forgave

Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times? (Mt 18:21)

Our _________ was _______________ than we _________________.

Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but I tell you as many as seventy-seven times. (Mt 18:22)

If Cain will be avenged seven times, then Lamech will be avenged seventy-seven times. (Ge 4:24)

²³ For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ When he began to settle them, a man who owed him ten thousand [μύριοι (moo-ri-oi)] talents [τάλαντον (ta-lan-ton)] was brought to him. ²⁵ Because the man was not able to pay the debt, his master ordered that he be sold, along with his wife, children, and all that he owned to repay the debt. (Mt 18:23–25)

²⁶ “Then the servant fell down on his knees in front of him, saying, ‘Master, be patient with me, and I will pay you everything!’ (Mt 18:26)

The old Adam (sinful nature) would rather _________ something to _ than _ he contributes ___________.

Christ's _______________ was _______________ than we _____________.

²⁷ The master of that servant had pity [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] on him, released him, and forgave [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] him the debt. (Mt 18:27)

When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] for them, because they were troubled and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. (Mt 9:36)

When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. He had compassion [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] on them and healed their sick. (Mt 14:14)

Forgive [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] us our debts, as we also forgive [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] our debtors. (Mt 6:12)

As distant as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our rebellious acts from us. (Ps 103:12)

⁸ Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8–9)

Our _______________________ _________________ what we have _________________.

²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found [εὑρίσκω (heu-ris-kō)] one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began choking [πνίγω (pni-gō)] him, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ “So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back!’ ³⁰ But he refused. Instead he went off and threw the man into prison until he could pay back what he owed. (Mt 18:28–30)

Jesus is not comparing _______ sins to _ sins. He is comparing _ debts to ______ debt.

When I refuse to forgive someone is it because that I have _______ the _ of God’s _ that he has given _?

³¹ “When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very distressed [λυπέω (loo-pe-ō)]. They went and reported to their master everything that had taken place. (Mt 18:31)

When you _______ to forgive it doesn’t just _ your faith. No, it _ the whole Christian _____.

_is never merely _________.

³² “Then his master called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked [πονηρός (po-nā-ros)] servant! I forgave you all [πᾶς (pas)] that debt when you begged me to. ³³ Should [δεῖ (dei)] you not have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ His master was angry [ὀργίζω (or-gi-zō)] and handed him over to the jailers [βασανιστής (ba-san-is-tās)] until he could pay back everything he owed. (Mt 18:32–34)

The servant's problem is not simply that he ___________ to forgive. The servant's actions revealed that he refused to show the _ mercy that had been shown to _. The king canceled his debt, but he still wants someone else to _____.

Faith _____ saves. But _ faith is never alone. It begins to bear the _ of mercy, like _______________ those who have sinned against us.

The parable begins with _ and ends with _.

³⁵ “This is what my heavenly Father will also do to you unless each one of you forgives his brother from his heart.” (Mt 18:35)

Jesus forgave your ________________ debt; therefore, you are _ to forgive the ___ debts of others because we never forgive a _ debt than the one Jesus has _________ forgiven.

Points to Ponder

What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
Why is the servant's debt of ten thousand talents important to the parable?
What does the king do with the servant's debt?
Why does the servant ask for more time instead of asking for forgiveness?
Why does Jesus compare a divine debt with a human debt rather than simply comparing large sins and small sins?
Why do people often find it easier to remember the sins committed against them than the sins God has forgiven?
The forgiven servant immediately seeks out someone who owes him money. What does this reveal about the danger of viewing relationships through a ledger mentality?
Is there someone whose offense occupies more space in your thoughts than Christ's forgiveness occupies in your heart?
The next time you are tempted to replay a hurt or grievance, what specific truth from this parable could help you respond differently?

Homework: Genesis 50

Forgiveness!

Forgiveness Entrusts the Past to God

We Never Forgive a Greater Debt Than the One Christ Forgave

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We Never Forgive a Greater Debt Than the One Christ Forgave

Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times? (Mt 18:21)

Our _ was _ than we ___________.

Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but I tell you as many as seventy-seven times. (Mt 18:22)

If Cain will be avenged seven times, then Lamech will be avenged seventy-seven times. (Ge 4:24)

²⁶ “Then the servant fell down on his knees in front of him, saying, ‘Master, be patient with me, and I will pay you everything!’ (Mt 18:26)

The old Adam (sinful nature) would rather _________ something to _ than _ he contributes ___________.

Christ's _______ was _ than we _______.

²⁷ The master of that servant had pity [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] on him, released him, and forgave [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] him the debt. (Mt 18:27)

When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] for them, because they were troubled and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. (Mt 9:36)

When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. He had compassion [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] on them and healed their sick. (Mt 14:14)

Forgive [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] us our debts, as we also forgive [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] our debtors. (Mt 6:12)

As distant as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our rebellious acts from us. (Ps 103:12)

⁸ Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8–9)

Our _______________ _ what we have _________.

Jesus is not comparing _______ sins to _ sins. He is comparing _ debts to ______ debt.

When I refuse to forgive someone is it because that I have _______ the _ of God’s _ that he has given _?

³¹ “When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very distressed [λυπέω (loo-pe-ō)]. They went and reported to their master everything that had taken place. (Mt 18:31)

When you _______ to forgive it doesn’t just _ your faith. No, it _ the whole Christian _____.

_is never merely _________.

The servant's problem is not simply that he ___________ to forgive. The servant's actions revealed that he refused to show the _ mercy that had been shown to _. The king canceled his debt, but he still wants someone else to _____.

Faith _____ saves. But _ faith is never alone. It begins to bear the _ of mercy, like _______________ those who have sinned against us.

The parable begins with _ and ends with _.

³⁵ “This is what my heavenly Father will also do to you unless each one of you forgives his brother from his heart.” (Mt 18:35)

Jesus forgave your ________________ debt; therefore, you are _ to forgive the ___ debts of others because we never forgive a _ debt than the one Jesus has _________ forgiven.

Forgiveness Entrusts the Past to God

We Never Forgive a Greater Debt Than the One Christ Forgave

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We Never Forgive a Greater Debt Than the One Christ Forgave

Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times? (Mt 18:21)

Our _________ was _______________ than we _________________.

Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but I tell you as many as seventy-seven times. (Mt 18:22)

If Cain will be avenged seven times, then Lamech will be avenged seventy-seven times. (Ge 4:24)

26 “Then the servant fell down on his knees in front of him, saying, ‘Master, be patient with me, and I will pay you everything!’ (Mt 18:26)

The old Adam (sinful nature) would rather _____________________ something to ___________________ than ___________ he contributes _______________.

Christ's _______________ was _______________ than we _____________.

27 The master of that servant had pity [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] on him, released him, and forgave [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] him the debt. (Mt 18:27)

When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] for them, because they were troubled and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. (Mt 9:36)

When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. He had compassion [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] on them and healed their sick. (Mt 14:14)

Forgive [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] us our debts, as we also forgive [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] our debtors. (Mt 6:12)

As distant as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our rebellious acts from us. (Ps 103:12)

8 Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8–9)

Our _______________________ _________________ what we have _________________.

Jesus is not comparing ___________ sins to _______ sins. He is comparing ___________ debts to ______________ debt.

When I refuse to forgive someone is it because that I have ___________________ the ___________________ of God’s ___________ that he has given _____?

31 “When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very distressed [λυπέω (loo-pe-ō)]. They went and reported to their master everything that had taken place. (Mt 18:31)

When you _____________ to forgive it doesn’t just _____________ your faith. No, it _______________ the whole Christian _____________.

_______is never merely _______________.

The servant's problem is not simply that he _______________ to forgive. The servant's actions revealed that he refused to show the _________ mercy that had been shown to _______. The king canceled his debt, but he still wants someone else to _______.

Faith ___________ saves. But _____________ faith is never alone. It begins to bear the ___________ of mercy, like ___________________ those who have sinned against us.

The parable begins with ___________ and ends with ___________.

35 “This is what my heavenly Father will also do to you unless each one of you forgives his brother from his heart.” (Mt 18:35)

Jesus forgave your ____________________ debt; therefore, you are _________ to forgive the _______________ debts of others because we never forgive a _______________ debt than the one Jesus has _______________ forgiven.

Forgiveness Entrusts the Past to God

We Never Forgive a Greater Debt Than the One Christ Forgave

Holiday Inn (Temporary Worship Location)

Contact

Our _ was _ than we ___________.

²⁶ “Then the servant fell down on his knees in front of him, saying, ‘Master, be patient with me, and I will pay you everything!’ (Mt 18:26)

The old Adam (sinful nature) would rather _________ something to _ than _ he contributes ___________.

Christ's _______ was _ than we _______.

²⁷ The master of that servant had pity [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-ch-niz-o-mai)] on him, released him, and forgave [ἀφίημι (a-ph-i-ē-mi)] him the debt. (Mt 18:27)

⁸ Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8–9)

Our _______________ _ what we have _________.

Jesus is not comparing _______ sins to _ sins. He is comparing _ debts to ______ debt.

When I refuse to forgive someone is it because that I have _______ the _ of God’s _ that he has given _?

³¹ “When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very distressed [λυπέω (loo-pe-ō)]. They went and reported to their master everything that had taken place. (Mt 18:31)

When you _______ to forgive it doesn’t just _ your faith. No, it _ the whole Christian _____.

_is never merely _________.

The servant's problem is not simply that he ___________ to forgive. The servant's actions revealed that he refused to show the _ mercy that had been shown to _. The king canceled his debt, but he still wants someone else to _____.

Faith _____ saves. But _ faith is never alone. It begins to bear the _ of mercy, like _______________ those who have sinned against us.

The parable begins with _ and ends with _.

³⁵ “This is what my heavenly Father will also do to you unless each one of you forgives his brother from his heart.” (Mt 18:35)

Jesus forgave your ________________ debt; therefore, you are _ to forgive the ___ debts of others because we never forgive a _ debt than the one Jesus has _________ forgiven.