Pastor Jonathan Foley teaches from Matthew 18 about forgiveness, offense, and reconciliation. Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant reveals that we have all been forgiven an impossible debt through Christ. Because of this, believers are called to extend the same mercy to others. The message also highlights the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation: forgiveness releases the debt, but reconciliation requires repentance and humility. As followers of Jesus, we are called to walk in mercy, humility, and truth in our relationships.
Full Transcript…
00:00:02:01 – 00:00:33:13
Unknown
We are excited to announce that we’ll be doing our first legs ministry meeting next Sunday. This meeting is for current volunteers who are very generously giving time, taking the van down to the lakes. So that our students can come to church on Sunday. We’re also inviting those who are participating in helping with food. We also have some folks coming with us, ones on our teaching day, which is Wednesday.
00:00:33:15 – 00:01:06:26
Unknown
Our heart is to disciple others in this ministry. And so if you’re interested in volunteering in any of these areas, we would love to see you. Sunday, 130 March 22nd. And it is a great ministry that we’re doing right now. There’s a lot of, fruit that’s coming out of it. You guys can see us. For those of you that don’t know what we’re doing, we’re just, ministering to people that are just battling addictions and other things of that sort.
00:01:06:26 – 00:01:27:25
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And so you’ll see us walking around with a bunch of cool people. We have a lot of love for what we do. And I know we got a lot of love in this body. So if anybody wants to join in and we can chain up and keep doing the work of God, so that’s our heart.
00:01:27:28 – 00:01:57:02
Unknown
Heck yeah. I’m so grateful for, leaders like Brahm and Angie that step up answer the call. I’m grateful for, the many things happening. You know, Ashley Ball reached out to a man, Nick Prater, since, and this last season months ago. And and set him up. And he he’s a man who really carries a heart for righteousness and the heart of God.
00:01:57:02 – 00:02:24:11
Unknown
And, he really helped bring clarity Wednesday night to, this, this challenge of being Christians in a political world, in a world where, lots of decisions have to be made and people are trying to make the right ones, and they do it from their worldview. But that’s that’s a, a place where we have to bring our worldview.
00:02:24:11 – 00:02:49:05
Unknown
Amen. So we made that recording available. Do check it out. It’s important, you know, I’m grateful for, Tim and Yvonne McCormick. They’ve been, providing an opportunity for parents to invest in probably one of the most challenging things you’ll do in your life, and that is raise children.
00:02:49:08 – 00:03:21:05
Unknown
It is. It’s it’s a major challenge. And, and I just want to encourage people capitalize. You know, babysitting is provided this is an opportunity for the parents to one hear information that affects, this incredible task, but also to build relationship with people who are in the grind because parenting is a grind, you’re going to need relationship.
00:03:21:05 – 00:03:34:17
Unknown
And so it’s a really valuable opportunity. I just want to thank them for doing that. Yeah. Yeah.
00:03:34:19 – 00:04:03:15
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All right. Well, I, I don’t know how you guys feel from from your spot, but but I’m really sensing a tension today. It’s, it’s been a an interesting, challenge for me in bringing this message. I never feel like I’m prepared for, stepping up and and giving what God wants us to give. But we have to respond in faith and and trust Holy Spirit.
00:04:03:18 – 00:04:22:02
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And so today we’re going to we’re going to be diving into a parable out of Matthew 18. We’re going to be starting at verse 21. And I’d like you guys to read it with me. And we’ll just start by reading a set of scriptures 21 to 34.
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And it starts with Then Peter came to him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times Jesus said to him, I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to 70 times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants and when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents.
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But as he was not able to pay his master.
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Commanded that he be sold with his wife and children, and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him 100 denari.
00:05:35:12 – 00:06:06:28
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And he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, pay me what you owe. So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not, but went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
00:06:07:00 – 00:06:33:13
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Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
00:06:33:16 – 00:07:04:24
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All right. This is, Jesus. He’s talking and he’s talking to you. And I. He’s talking in the form of a parable here. But that parable is following this infamous question that I think everybody asks at some point, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me? And I forgive him up to seven times. So here we have Peter coming to Jesus.
00:07:04:26 – 00:07:37:18
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Want an answer? Peter’s thinking that he’s he’s being gracious. He’s being generous, right? He’s he’s actually coming from a place of understanding where the expectation is that you should forgive somebody up to like three times, right? A precedent established. And the way God dealt with enemies of Israel in the Old Testament. So so he’s going, man, I’m I’m thinking at least double that.
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Let’s add one more just to be safe. In fact, that number seven is perfection. This has got to be enough. If my brother sins against me more than seven times, there’s no reason for forgiveness.
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God’s response? No, I’m telling you seven times seven. So a clear picture is being established here that forgiveness has no limit.
00:08:19:27 – 00:08:54:19
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So Jesus is taking us from that declaration to a parable. And in this parable we see two relational focus points. We see him dealing with our offenses to another, our need for forgiveness. And then he’s dealing with offense by others. They need to have our forgiveness for them.
00:08:54:21 – 00:09:01:15
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He jumps into this parable with this example of the King.
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This king is owed an incredible sum.
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10,000 talents. Now to give a picture here. A talent in this time was viewed in the in the term of labor. So one talent was equal to 20 years of labor.
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So the sum of 10,000 talents is equivalent to a 200,000 year repayment of labor. It’s possible if you, you know, could have 10,000 servants helping you pay this off. You know, you get it done in 20 years. But what’s really been shared here is an impossibility for one man to pay the debt that is owed. So Jesus is starting out strong with Peter’s question how many times should I forgive?
00:10:05:11 – 00:10:21:29
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And he’s saying, well, let me remind you that you have been forgiven much. Let me, let me remind you with this quick perspective of this King who is willing to forgive all your debts.
00:10:22:01 – 00:10:50:24
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That word forgiveness means to release. It means to let go. Pastor Pat has, preached on forgiveness in the past, and he talks about opening our hand and letting go right of what we’re holding on to it. Say a simple picture of of what is really happening here. A debt is being forgiven. This is the gospel message, right?
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This is the crux of of everything Jesus has meant to accomplish.
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Forgiveness of our sins, a restoration of our relationship with him. Relationship is a key, variable to notice in this parable. Right? So this relationship with our Savior is tied to this unsurmountable debt that we need forgiven.
00:11:26:15 – 00:12:10:17
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His response of forgiveness comes following our humility. Right? First there was a call for payment, but then there was a humbling of that servant, a pleading for mercy. And really, it was time, you know, give me time. I’ll pay the debt. But the king knew better, but he forgave it anyway. In response to repentance.
00:12:10:20 – 00:12:16:27
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So today we’re we’re experiencing tension.
00:12:16:29 – 00:12:25:28
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Is that tension? Is it between you and God?
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Do you understand? Clearly the the work that’s been accomplished for you? Can you can you recognize that your position? Is forgiven, that your debt has been canceled? There’s actually nothing you can do.
00:12:55:18 – 00:13:16:18
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With that relationship, can you see that clear? Are you convinced of that? That’s the gospel. That’s the goodness of our father. That’s the blessing of this walk that we have with him.
00:13:16:20 – 00:13:33:02
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So then the second part of this parable, there’s a shift. There’s a shift taking place. It’s no longer about needing forgiveness. It’s about giving it.
00:13:33:05 – 00:13:37:02
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So now the roles have changed.
00:13:37:04 – 00:14:21:10
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You’re not the servant. You’re the master, the the position of this forgiven debt that you have, this position of freedom being restored in your life, this position of authority that you now possess, right, is is bumping into a different scenario. All three of those things forgiven debt, freedom, restored authority in your life or because you’re not in prison paying off the debt that was just forgiven you, right?
00:14:21:12 – 00:14:39:06
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So God has restored your liberty. He’s restored your authority. You have voice and power to control somebody else’s life. That’s the reality of this shift in the story.
00:14:39:08 – 00:14:54:08
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Yeah. What happens? A struggle, a need, a sin that brings a challenge to a relationship.
00:14:54:10 – 00:15:05:07
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It’s a different relationship now. The relationship is no longer about you and God. You in this King.
00:15:05:10 – 00:15:11:25
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It’s now about you and a fellow servant.
00:15:11:27 – 00:15:51:02
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This is where the kingdom way that we have been talking about shows up. The Kingdom way is about us living by the by the way of Jesus, by us embracing the truths that he demonstrates the the realities of his kingdom, that he’s King of. But our opportunity to embrace that comes from our place of freedom. It comes from our place of authority.
00:15:51:04 – 00:15:58:03
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It comes from a place. Where somebody owes you something.
00:15:58:06 – 00:16:07:12
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Where you’re in the right, somebody else is in the wrong. The kingdom shows up here. And so my.
00:16:07:14 – 00:16:12:00
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My struggle with this today.
00:16:12:03 – 00:16:48:09
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Is probably not in the place where I don’t think a ton of people have maybe a difficulty forgiving somebody. But potentially you may be in that place today. I’m sure there’s, there’s some walking through some, some scenarios where, a great effort of forgiveness is maybe being asked of you, the circumstances that you’re walking out.
00:16:48:11 – 00:16:56:05
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But God’s really focused. My attention on offense today.
00:16:56:07 – 00:17:21:12
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He’s focused my attention on that because if it if forgiveness is required, it means an offense has occurred. An offense has taken place. Forgiveness always involves dealing with something that maybe doesn’t deserve forgiveness.
00:17:21:14 – 00:17:27:16
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It always requires you having to let go of something.
00:17:27:18 – 00:17:52:14
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And that something is possibly a great injustice to your life. And so here we are in this story. And Peter’s asked this question, but this story is following a few other series of instructions. At the start of chapter 18.
00:17:52:16 – 00:17:59:19
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Jesus is asked a question, who will be greatest in the kingdom?
00:17:59:21 – 00:18:20:23
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Jesus goes, okay, well, you know, let me, let me show you. And he and he calls forward a young child and stands the child in front of them all. So imagine, you know, maybe this ten year old child in front of you.
00:18:20:25 – 00:18:23:28
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And Jesus says.
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Whoever is converted.
00:18:28:09 – 00:18:53:02
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And is, becomes like, this child shall be greatest in the kingdom. All right. So the context of this parable that we just read is coming from this place of greatness is this place of how do I how do I be somebody in your kingdom?
00:18:53:04 – 00:19:13:05
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Bam, ten year old child. Now all of us have watched children and we don’t we don’t look at a ten year old child and go, all right, that’s that’s my example to follow. Here we go.
00:19:13:08 – 00:19:42:08
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Our explore teachers can clearly tell you that that is not the the standard of living that we want to employ. So what’s happening there? What is what is Jesus setting up for his disciples?
00:19:42:11 – 00:19:49:22
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In verse six of chapter 18.
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I think it’s going to be on the screen here.
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Whoever causes one of these little ones to believe in me, who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses, for offenses must come. But woe to that man whom the offenses come.
00:20:19:18 – 00:20:44:28
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All right, that’s a strong declaration. So now we’ve we’re coming from that to this parable, man. You got to forgive. You got to forgive all. And here’s this. Here’s this instruction and warning. Woe if you cause offense to one of these little children.
00:20:45:01 – 00:21:13:25
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All right. This is Jesus giving illustration. And he’s now likened any believer to a ten year old boy. All right. That means you are a child in the way of God’s kingdom. And it it means you have a lot to learn about the way of God’s kingdom.
00:21:13:27 – 00:21:51:22
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But if you will trust God, he will take care of your needs. And now he’s given this warning that anyone who tries to harm you, right? It is being warned that there is there is a great, consequence to that. Right? So God’s putting you into this place of importance.
00:21:51:25 – 00:22:13:29
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For the Son of Man, it says in verse 12 or 11, For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. This is why Jesus has arrived. All right. This this relationship, you and I, he wants us saved.
00:22:14:01 – 00:22:40:22
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And then he goes into. The heart of the father towards us. And he uses the parable of the sheep God leaving the 99 to go after the one right. For those who know the Bible, this is a familiar story. And all I’m trying to point out with it right now is that God is willing to leave everyone else to go get the one right.
00:22:40:23 – 00:22:56:27
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That’s that’s his heart for each of us. Right? Which is again displayed in the in the the, mercy of the King to forgive all that debt. Right. This is this is the heart of God.
00:22:56:29 – 00:23:01:06
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But then in verse 15.
00:23:01:09 – 00:23:29:29
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We’re going to read that together, says, moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if you will not here, take with you 1 or 2 more that by the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses every word may be established, and if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.
00:23:30:01 – 00:24:01:08
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But if you refuse even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. All right. What is what is happening here? All right. This this question by Peter Lord, how many times do I got to forgive my brother who sins against me, is following this instruction of how to deal with somebody who has caused offense?
00:24:01:11 – 00:24:18:02
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Right? Go to him first. Talk to him one by one. Say, hey, I’m worried about you, all right? There’s things happening that I’m not sure are are okay? And you, you really need to change.
00:24:18:04 – 00:24:22:29
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If he hears you, you’ve gained your brother.
00:24:23:02 – 00:24:36:02
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If he doesn’t bring a couple more people along, establish in their ears and in their eyes the importance of our relationship.
00:24:36:05 – 00:25:04:00
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The relationship you and I have with one another is really important. When we start talking about unforgiveness. If he still fails to respond, bring it to the church. Now, this is not an easy thing that is being said here.
00:25:04:02 – 00:25:22:03
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To be brought in front of a group of people and called out for your sin. That doesn’t sound like man. I got to forgive all of the offenses that have been committed against me.
00:25:22:06 – 00:25:45:23
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But this is the the context of this moment, and this is part of the challenge that is coming at us today, because this this understanding of forgiveness and whether or not we forgive somebody is actually being connected.
00:25:45:25 – 00:25:51:24
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To a an important relational understanding.
00:25:51:27 – 00:26:02:05
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If the person does not repent, what does Jesus say to consider them as?
00:26:02:08 – 00:26:32:24
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A heathen or a tax collector? Now basically what that means is consider them as someone who does not actually believe that Jesus is Lord. A tax collector is someone who is deceptive, right? That they did, things for their own gain. They asked for more taxes right then were actually required and withheld for themselves. It was a really common practice.
00:26:33:01 – 00:26:44:04
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So that tax collector was was really a, common problem in this culture. And then this time.
00:26:44:06 – 00:27:12:14
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So we’re being asked to view somebody that will not turn from their unrighteousness. They’ve been approached kindly one by one. They’ve been approached and counsel maybe 2 or 3, and now they’ve been called out in a public way.
00:27:12:17 – 00:27:43:22
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And they’re not saying, man, I’m sorry. Forgive me. I’ve sinned. I need to change. How can I take this next step forward? Why is it so important? Why is someone else’s behavior so important? For our everyday relationship?
00:27:43:25 – 00:28:10:13
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Because this context here is changing our relationship. We were considered brothers. But now I have to view you as someone outside the family.
00:28:10:16 – 00:28:17:10
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There is a necessity for unity.
00:28:17:13 – 00:28:52:13
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In the body of Christ and necessity for oneness in the kingdom, we there is a a demand of embrace of truth between one another. And that that demand is that we remain humble before the before the Lord, that we remain in a place of.
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Proper living before the Lord.
00:28:58:28 – 00:29:02:12
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That is.
00:29:02:15 – 00:29:11:09
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Not an easy thing for any of us to do.
00:29:11:12 – 00:29:26:12
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All of us have to come before the Lord and ask for mercy, and ask for forgiveness. But when we are unwilling to.
00:29:26:14 – 00:29:32:00
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These relationships change.
00:29:32:02 – 00:29:36:04
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They have to.
00:29:36:06 – 00:30:05:25
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It’s impossible for us to walk together in unity when we are living by two different standards.
00:30:05:27 – 00:30:11:22
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I want to just dwell on this a bit because.
00:30:11:24 – 00:30:19:07
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What I’m when I’m managing in my in my heart.
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Is how to help us, how to help us gain clarity, to walk in this relationship with the father and with one another.
00:30:36:01 – 00:30:40:12
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There’s a there’s a cost.
00:30:40:15 – 00:30:44:09
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To us doing it our own way.
00:30:44:12 – 00:30:49:23
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And that cost is affecting the community.
00:30:49:25 – 00:31:12:16
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But we’re walking in a world right now where people are not paying attention to their community, and they’re allowing in their own life behaviors and actions that are not. Consider it to a brother, to a sister.
00:31:12:19 – 00:31:31:09
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Right. Those behaviors, those actions, they’re all debts that God is forgiving. They’re all debts covered by the mercy of Jesus Christ. But they are they are debts nonetheless.
00:31:31:11 – 00:31:38:14
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That have to be brought before one another.
00:31:38:16 – 00:31:47:23
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Because my my decisions affect your life. And we’re not talking about.
00:31:47:25 – 00:31:57:00
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Sins where, you know, somebody somebody looked at me weird. And, you know, I just I don’t think they like me.
00:31:57:03 – 00:32:04:22
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We’re talking about things that cause division, we’re talking about.
00:32:04:24 – 00:32:23:04
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Immorality. Talking about backbiting, gossip. When we’re. We’re undermining reputation and or tearing down.
00:32:23:07 – 00:32:25:27
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Somebody’s.
00:32:26:00 – 00:32:44:08
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Value. We’re talking about things that that bring division, lying, cheating, those kinds of acts, activities and behaviors.
00:32:44:11 – 00:32:50:26
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We’re watching those kinds of things happen all across our world today.
00:32:50:29 – 00:33:05:10
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But God’s calling a people to embrace his kingdom, to embrace his way.
00:33:05:13 – 00:33:23:07
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My heart is for a church to love this, this way that Jesus is prepared for us, to embrace it, to to desire it above anything else.
00:33:23:10 – 00:33:32:05
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How do we navigate this? I this understanding that man, I have issues.
00:33:32:07 – 00:33:44:09
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How do how do we how do we manage this reality? That man, I’m not walking the path the way I should.
00:33:44:12 – 00:33:49:26
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His God is God putting condemnation on us.
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Is he saying there’s no way for you?
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No, he’s not.
00:33:59:16 – 00:34:12:16
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But he is bringing clarity to. But you got to do something about it. You can’t you can’t excuse it.
00:34:12:19 – 00:34:21:23
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You have to own up to the things in your life that are affecting relationships.
00:34:21:25 – 00:34:38:22
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And then ask for mercy. If it’s a friend, if it’s a spouse, if it’s a coworker.
00:34:38:24 – 00:34:45:00
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There’s a there’s a call to humility in this parable.
00:34:45:02 – 00:34:55:19
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And an embrace of what is true. And this is this is our challenge in the world we live today.
00:34:55:21 – 00:35:02:03
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Can we own up to our part?
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Can we look at ourselves in in this our.
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And call out our issues? Can we bring reconciliation to relationships that we’re a part of?
00:35:24:03 – 00:35:42:14
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By recognizing the offense we have caused. When we see repentance, something beautiful happens. You know, somebody showing me forgiveness.
00:35:42:17 – 00:35:48:05
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Doesn’t restore that relationship that I have with them.
00:35:48:08 – 00:36:14:17
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They may be able to release me of the debt that I owe. But if my desire is for reconciliation of that relationship. It won’t happen until I repent.
00:36:14:20 – 00:36:36:02
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So, yes, the challenge for us who have been sinned against in this story is, man, you have to be able to forgive, right? You have to be able to respond to a situation as Jesus responded to you.
00:36:36:04 – 00:36:43:12
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Releasing all your debt. It’s the same.
00:36:43:15 – 00:37:02:23
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But until repentance comes, a relationship can’t be built. A relationship cannot grow between us.
00:37:02:25 – 00:37:21:00
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This is the kingdom where you guys. For us to release blessing in the lives of our family, the lives of our community, and in the in the time that we live.
00:37:21:02 – 00:37:33:11
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We have to be prepared to respond to one another and love and mercy.
00:37:33:13 – 00:37:36:24
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And we have to be willing.
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To humble ourselves before one another.
00:37:45:05 – 00:37:52:13
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Today we’re going to take communion.
00:37:52:15 – 00:37:55:07
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We’re going to have.
00:37:55:10 – 00:38:05:18
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The ecclesia. Come on up here. They’re going to sing a song.
00:38:05:21 – 00:38:17:29
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A little worship and. And while they’re singing.
00:38:18:01 – 00:38:25:21
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My challenge is to put our focus on two points today.
00:38:25:23 – 00:38:38:08
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At first point is remembering the mercy that Jesus Christ has poured out for us.
00:38:38:11 – 00:38:43:29
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Remembering that work that he has accomplished.
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So that we can have freedom so that we can have a restoration of purpose.
00:38:57:16 – 00:39:03:22
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But then that that second question.
00:39:03:24 – 00:39:12:23
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Is where do I. Need to release forgiveness?
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Where do I need to?
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Humble myself before a brother or sister. It’s from from that decision that we get to step into the blessing of God is from that place that we get to step out of torment.
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Step out of the tension. Step out of the disrupted peace that’s in our lives.
00:39:56:01 – 00:40:08:11
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This is the kingdom we.
00:40:08:13 – 00:40:14:16
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Then.
00:40:14:19 – 00:40:18:25
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Our God is worthy. Our God is holy.
00:40:18:27 – 00:41:05:28
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We all, We’re here today because of Mr. Jordan. Matter recruited the troops to, sing one of our favorite songs. Holy. This is Pastor Jonathan said. You know, this can be a time of reflection. And also a time of worship. So, you know, however, the Lord leads you. This is not a spectator sport.
00:41:06:01 – 00:41:56:29
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From the ends of the earth, this song will rise. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty from the ends of the earth. This song will rise. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty. From the ends of the earth. Lately so will rise. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty. From the ends of the earth the sun will rise on you.
00:41:56:29 – 00:42:16:05
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Holy, Holy is no.
00:42:16:07 – 00:42:28:06
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Free. Here we are gone. We come before the throne of grace.
00:42:28:09 – 00:42:43:07
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Do you hear? We are gone. We come before the mercy seat.
00:42:43:09 – 00:43:16:23
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And I can see now like you I can. You can hear, I can hear. The is free from your throne I can feel like me. I can feel the thunder. I can hear the voices you sing from your throne 24 hours. Now we know.
00:43:16:25 – 00:43:29:18
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Nothing on the grounds of. Go home for living creatures. Crying out.
00:43:29:20 – 00:45:03:12
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Day and night. Night and day. Know me. One word comes to mind. There’s only one way to describe me. One. Only one word comes to mind. There’s only one way to describe. Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. Holy, holy, Lord God almighty, high us, holy, holy. Lord God almighty, Holy, holy. Lord God Almighty, and there is no one like you.
00:45:03:14 – 00:45:37:21
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You are holy. Holy. There is no one like you. You are holy, holy. There’s no one like you. You are holy, holy. I.
00:45:37:24 – 00:47:12:03
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There is no one like you. You are holy. Glory is holy, Holy. Lord God Almighty, who was and is to come. Holy, holy. Lord God Almighty, who only one way comes to mind. There’s only one way to describe only one holy. One word comes to mind. There’s only one word to describe Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, with you, Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, worthy to be free.
00:47:12:06 – 00:48:45:25
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Holy, holy. Lord God Almighty, we God, Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty and here there’s no one like you. You are holy. Holy is no one like you. You are holy. Holy. There is no one like you. You are holy, Holy. There’s none. There is no one like you. You are only holy. You use holy, Holy are you, Lord God Almighty.
00:48:45:27 – 00:49:55:07
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Worthy is the lamb. Worthy is the lamb. Oh, you are holy, Holy are you. Lord God Almighty, what is the matter? You got me. Where is man? Oh, you are holy. Holy are you, Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the lamb. Worthy is the lamb. You are holy, holy, holy. Lord God almighty, worthy is the lamb with its mouth open.
00:49:55:07 – 00:50:13:26
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Sing hallelu. They who, they who you are. For the Lord God Almighty. Raise.
00:50:13:29 – 00:51:30:19
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Up in me. In the up for the Lord God Almighty. Raise you up with you. Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, worthy is one for this crown. You two are holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, worthy is the lamb. Worthy is the lamb. You are wholly holy. Are you, Lord God Almighty, worthy is the lamb.
00:51:30:21 – 00:52:16:08
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Where is the lamb? Lamb.
00:52:16:11 – 00:52:20:11
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Amen.
00:52:20:14 – 00:52:31:05
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He’s a piece of bread in the bottom of your cup.
00:52:31:07 – 00:52:44:15
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Jesus gave his body. So that you and I could stand here cleansed.
00:52:44:18 – 00:52:53:18
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So that you and I could be counted with him.
00:52:53:20 – 00:53:00:04
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There’s nothing more joyful than that.
00:53:00:07 – 00:53:06:24
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So partake with me.
00:53:06:26 – 00:53:28:14
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Father, we thank you for your body. We thank you that it was given freely. That you, Lord, paid the price. God cleanse us today as we embrace. Father.
00:53:28:17 – 00:53:32:23
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Your life.
00:53:32:26 – 00:53:36:26
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And God, as we.
00:53:36:28 – 00:54:08:05
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Get ready to drink of this cup, father, we thank you that the blood of Jesus has cleansed us and has made a way for us to step into a new covenant with you, God, to be counted as sons and daughters of the Most High God, the Good Father, Lord. And that we now have the power to overcome sin.
00:54:08:05 – 00:54:10:26
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God.
00:54:10:29 – 00:54:24:15
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So, Lord, help us, Lord, to see one another with love today. Lord, to see the things in our lives that must change.
00:54:24:17 – 00:54:32:24
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Cleanse us now, father, and help us to turn from our wicked ways.
00:54:32:26 – 00:55:01:02
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In Jesus name.
00:55:01:05 – 00:55:08:15
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Is Holly Hollywood. You?
00:55:08:18 – 00:56:24:28
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The movie, for the Lord God Almighty, we, need you, the movie up for home tonight to praise, the who. Young and holy. Holy are you, Lord God almighty. Where is the man? Where is the man? For you. Oh, worthy. Holy, holy. Lord God almighty. Worthy is the lamb. Worthy is the lamb. You only I lifted up.
00:56:24:28 – 00:56:59:07
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Holy we are. I praise for you, Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the lamb. Worthy is the lamb. You never.
00:56:59:10 – 00:57:10:21
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Father, we step into. Your hands today. God.
00:57:10:23 – 00:57:15:09
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We trust you, Lord.
00:57:15:12 – 00:57:25:24
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God, we ask that your kingdom would be further established in the decisions we make.
00:57:25:26 – 00:57:38:09
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God that tomorrow we would bring love. That tomorrow we would bring thanksgiving of all you’ve done.
00:57:38:11 – 00:57:43:28
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God, that we would see one another.
00:57:44:01 – 00:57:47:20
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We would consider each other.
00:57:47:23 – 00:57:53:00
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God that we would embrace your way.
00:57:53:03 – 00:58:10:12
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Strengthen everyone that has come today. God, and let your light shine. That our path would be clear in Jesus name. Amen.
00:58:10:14 – 00:58:31:03
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Amen. Thank you, Pastor Jonathan, we want to invite you guys. We have fellowship across the way. We would love to have you. If you’re new here, we have people that have prepared lunch, so we’d love for you to join us. Also, just want to let you know next Sunday you won’t want to miss it. We have Pastor David from India going to be here bringing a powerful word.
00:58:31:03 – 00:58:38:04
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So we’ll see you next week.
00:58:38:07 – 00:58:38:19
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Until.
In Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus a question that many people quietly wrestle with:
“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Peter likely believed he was being generous. In Jewish tradition, forgiving someone three times was often considered sufficient. Peter doubled that number and added one more for good measure.
But Jesus responds with something far beyond Peter’s expectations.
“I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Jesus wasn’t giving Peter a number to track. He was revealing a Kingdom principle: forgiveness is not meant to have a limit.
To explain this, Jesus tells a powerful parable.
The Debt We Could Never Pay
In the story, a king begins settling accounts with his servants. One servant owes the king 10,000 talents.
A single talent represented about 20 years of labor, meaning this servant owed the equivalent of 200,000 years of work. The debt was impossible to repay.
The servant falls before the king and pleads for mercy.
Instead of demanding payment, the king responds with compassion and forgives the entire debt.
Pastor Jonathan Foley points out that this moment reflects the heart of the Gospel. Every one of us has stood before God with a debt we could never repay. Through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and our relationship with the Father is restored.
Forgiveness means release. It means letting go of what is owed.
But the story doesn’t end there.
When Mercy Stops With Us
After being forgiven such an enormous debt, the servant encounters another servant who owes him 100 denarii, a much smaller amount.
Instead of showing the same mercy he received, the servant grabs the man by the throat and demands repayment. When the man begs for patience, he refuses and throws him into prison.
When the king hears about it, he responds with anger and says:
“I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant?”
Jesus is showing us something important: when we truly understand the mercy we have received from God, it should shape how we treat others.
Offense and Forgiveness
Pastor Jonathan Foley emphasizes that forgiveness only exists because offense exists. If forgiveness is needed, something real has happened. Someone has wronged someone else.
This is why forgiveness can be difficult. It requires us to release something that may feel justified to hold onto.
Earlier in Matthew 18, Jesus speaks about offenses and gives instructions for dealing with conflict between believers. He explains that if someone sins against you, you should go to them privately first. If they do not listen, bring others. If they still refuse to respond, the situation eventually involves the wider community.
This process reveals how deeply relationships matter in the Kingdom of God.
Our actions affect one another. Sin damages relationships. But God’s desire is always restoration.
Forgiveness and Repentance
One of the key distinctions in this message is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation.
Forgiveness is something we are called to extend freely. It releases the debt someone owes us.
But reconciliation requires something more: repentance.
A person can be forgiven, but a relationship cannot truly be restored unless humility and repentance take place. When someone acknowledges their wrongdoing and turns from it, reconciliation becomes possible.
The Kingdom way calls believers to walk in both mercy and truth.
Walking the Kingdom Way
Pastor Jonathan Foley reminds us that the world we live in often ignores the importance of community and relationships. People pursue their own way without considering how their actions affect others.
But God calls His people to something different.
The Kingdom of God is built on humility, honesty, repentance, forgiveness, and love for one another.
When we truly remember the mercy Jesus has shown us—His body broken and His blood shed—we are reminded that we now have the power to walk in a new way.
That leads us to two important questions:
Where do I need to receive God’s mercy?
Where do I need to extend forgiveness or seek reconciliation?
When we humble ourselves before God and before one another, we step out of tension and into the peace that God desires for His people.
This is the way of the Kingdom.
Study Guide
Summary
Pastor Jonathan Foley teaches from Matthew 18 about forgiveness, offense, and reconciliation. Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant reveals that we have all been forgiven an impossible debt through Christ. Because of this, believers are called to extend the same mercy to others. The message also highlights the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation: forgiveness releases the debt, but reconciliation requires repentance and humility. As followers of Jesus, we are called to walk in mercy, humility, and truth in our relationships.
Icebreaker Questions
- What is one time someone showed you unexpected grace or kindness?
- When conflict happens in relationships, how do you usually respond?
- Why do you think forgiveness can sometimes feel difficult?
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Peter believed forgiving seven times was generous?
- What does the parable of the unforgiving servant teach us about God’s mercy?
- How does remembering the forgiveness we received from God affect how we treat others?
- What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation?
- Why is repentance important for restoring relationships?
- How can unresolved offense affect a community or church family?
- Is there someone you need to forgive or a relationship where you need to pursue reconciliation?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the incredible mercy You have shown us through Jesus Christ. You have forgiven a debt we could never repay, and we are grateful for Your grace. Help us to walk in humility and to extend that same mercy to others. Show us where we need to release offense, where we need to forgive, and where we need to humble ourselves in repentance. Strengthen us to walk in unity, truth, and love as Your people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.