The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Christianity is not a checklist; it's a love relationship.

Christianity is not about head knowledge; it's about heart knowledge.

Genesis 22:18 NIV

18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

The teachings of Jesus aren't to make you a better person; they're to guide you to be more like Him in order to change the world.

Matthew 18:21-35 NIV

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

It's natural to keep score; it's supernatural to forgive.

Steps to Forgiveness

1. Admit it.

Religion keeps you from spiritual formation.

You can't receive grace and healing if you don't know you need grace and healing.

Steps to Forgiveness

1. Admit it.

2. Commit it.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Steps to Forgiveness

1. Admit it.

2. Commit it.

3. Absorb it.

"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."

Romans 6:23 NIV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Steps to Forgiveness

1. Admit it.

2. Commit it.

3. Absorb it.

4. Release it.

Unforgiveness is like drinking poison hoping it hurts the person who wronged you.

The person you hate is ruining the love you have for the people closest to you.

1 John 5:19 NIV

19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Romans 10:13 NIV

13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The enemy will keep you in prison as long as you will stay there – but the doors are unlocked.