Slideshow Transcript

1. Slide 1: Kingdom living Matthew 18: The unforgiving servant
2. Slide 2: Structure of Matthew’s Gospel Birth and Preparation for Jesus (1-4) 1. Sermon on the Mount (5-7) Narrative Section: Deed Ministry: Miracles (8-9) 2. Mission of the Disciples (10) Narrative Section: Teaching and Preaching in Galilee (11-12 3. Kingdom Parables (13) Narrative Section: Healing in Galilee (14-17) 4. Church Discipline or Communal Rule (18) Narrative Section: Membership in the kingdom (19-23) 5. Eschatology (24-25) Narrative Section: Passion and Resurrection (26-28)
3. Slide 3: The intended audience of Matthew’s gospel is Jewish listeners Kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God mean the same thing Luke 4: 43 But he said, \"I must Matt. 4:17 From that time preach the good news of the on Jesus began to preach, kingdom of God to the other towns “Repent, for the kingdom of also, because that is why I was heaven is near.” sent.\" Luke 4:20 Looking at his disciples, Matt. 5:3 “Blessed are he said: \"Blessed are you who are the poor in spirit, for theirs poor for yours is the kingdom of is the kingdom of heaven. God.
4. Slide 4: 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 times seven. Forgiveness must be unlimited!
5. Slide 5: 23 \"Therefore the kingdom of heaven [NIV is like …] 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. Talent = 20 years’ wages 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.
6. Slide 6: 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. Jubilee Why?
7. Slide 7: 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.' Denarii = a day’s wages for a labourer or foot soldier 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.
8. Slide 8: 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. Basanistas = torturers, not merely jailers
9. Slide 9: 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.\" An echo of the Lord’s prayer: forgive us our sins as we have forgive those who sins against us’ . Matthew 6: 12 uses debts: ‘ … and forgive us our debts (opheilhema) , as we have forgiven our debtors (aphiemi)’. Luke 11: 4 uses sins and debts: ‘… and forgive us our sins (hamartia) as we forgive everyone who is indebted (opheilo) to us’ The Aramaic, khaba = sins and debts
10. Slide 10: \"We read the gospel as if we had no money, and we spend our money as if we know nothing of the gospel.\" John Haughey
11. Slide 11: Four things forgiveness is not: … 1. Forgiveness is not ‘never mind’ 2. Forgiveness is not weakness 3. Forgiveness is not easy 4. Forgiveness is not forgetting
12. Slide 12: Forgiveness is … … a letting go and cancelling a debt. The Greek word used is aphiemi, = ‘send off’, ‘ release’ 1. Forgiveness is a choice 2. Forgiveness is giving up revenge 3. Forgiveness brings freedom 4. Forgiveness is a process
13. Slide 13: How can I forgive? It hu r ts t oo m uch … justice! . I need It’s too difficult!!
14. Slide 14: Remember: It’s a choice God has forgiven us - we didn't say sorry, we didn't make the first move So should we forgive
15. Slide 15: Ask the Lord for help Pray for a revelation of how great the Father’s love and forgiveness is