Northside Notes February 2-3, 2019 The Second Half of the Story

The Prison of Unforgiveness The one forgiven so much found one who owed him much less.
Stories of Forgiveness
Matthew 18:21-35 He seized and intimidated that man and put him in prison.

Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother
sin against me, and I forgive him?’ Matthew 18:21a
Introduction
The word for the year at Northside is journey.
Some things help the journey; some things hinder the journey.
That man pleaded for mercy and received none.
Others saw it all come down and told the master.
Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!
I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should
not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on
you?’ Matthew 18:32-33

Forgiveness is important for the journey.

Lessons

The Question of the Hour All believers have been forgiven an enormous debt.

How many times do you forgive one person? That forgiveness has set us free from the prison of sin.

Tradition said three times. To not forgive others puts us in a prison we make for ourselves.

Peter stretched it to seven thinking that was generous. We must learn to forgive like Jesus forgives.

Jesus said it’s more. But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. Psalm 130:4

To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him
The Story of the Hour receives forgiveness through his name. Acts 10:43

A king settled accounts with his servants.

One owed a huge debt he couldn’t pay. Key Takeaway

He was about to lose everything. When you’ve been forgiven much, forgive much.

He begged for mercy. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our
trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
He was released and all was forgiven.

And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and
forgave him the debt. Matthew 18:27 Scripture passages from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted