Audio Recording

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Parables of the Kingdom in the Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 18:21-35 (ESV)
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Sermon Outline
Jesus invites us into a way of life marked by forgiveness (v21), which both challenges and frees us.

1. A Heart Unchanged by Mercy

• v26-27  “the servant fell on his knees… out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.”

• vv29-30 “So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded… He refused…”

• vv32-33 “I forgave you… should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’”

2. Jesus’ Concern for the Heart

• v28  “he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’”

• v35 “So also my heavenly Father will do… if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” 

3. A Heart in Forgiveness

• v22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

• v25 And since he could not pay,

Prayer of Confession
Almighty and most merciful Father, if you kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness. We need forgiveness for all our sins, including our failure to appreciate your generosity and mercy to us. We have taken for granted the cost at which forgiveness comes to us. We have been vengeful people, desiring to hurt and punish. We justify ourselves, thinking we are judges who operate only in the realm of righteousness. We have not recognized the harm we have been doing to ourselves and the unintended consequences to others. Forgive and free us from these and all our sins. Cleanse us from the harms done to us and from all the lingering effects of them. Show us the heart of Jesus so we become people of great humility, joy and peace. May we give to the world as we receive from him, so that our lives bring you delight and honor to his name. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

1. Why is forgiveness important?

2. Why is forgiveness so hard?  What makes forgiving others difficult for you?

3. What is the connection between receiving mercy and becoming someone who is merciful?  What prohibits us from being deeply transformed by the generosity shown to us?

4. What does Jesus mean when he says we must forgive “from the heart”?

5. What can you do when you are finding it difficult to forgive? 

6. How can you protect yourself when you forgive someone who isn’t changing? 

7. Is the gospel affecting you deeply?  As you walk with God, are you growing in gratitude, humility, wisdom, joy, etc.?   What habits or practices could help you connect more with God?

8. How can you process your life more fully with God?  How can Jesus Christ be a help, strength and healer to you?