Sermon 29 June – Matthew 18:10-35
What can divide, trouble, or even destroy God’s community?
– pride, jealousy, greed, unforgiving heart, doctrine (not making a distinction between essential and secondary issues, or not recognising a broader but biblical understanding of faith/doctrine), atmosphere of cynicism, not willing to talk with each other openly and frankly.
When your brother or sister sins against you then speak to each other
– this involves confrontation but with a gentle attitude. Galatians 6:1, Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. You aim to ‘gain, win’ your brother, sister in Christ back. James 5:19-20 (is the last passage/verses in letter of James). 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
– Peter thought 7 times might be more than enough. Rabbis were pointing to 3 times. Jesus says 77 times.
Forgiveness may be withheld where there is no repentance, see verses 15-20 where it speaks about ‘disfellowshipping’ a person from the community. But in your heart you have to be ready to forgive always.
Leviticus 19:17-18
17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Conclusion
The parable is teaching that we always should forgive when there is repentance. Three things we learn from the parable:
1. God’s amazing, boundless, infinite grace. He gives you what you don’t deserve. All your debt, a debt you could never pay, is forgiven. Jesus took it on that Cross!
2. It is absurd to not forgive when such a great debt of ours was forgiven.
3. The fate for those who do not forgive is not promising according to Jesus, see verse 35.
