The Instructions Of The King
Our Text: Matthew 18
It is fair to say the biggest hindrance to the Church has been the Church itself. When Christian people bicker and fight amongst themselves then the Church does not set much of an example to that lost soul looking in. When the Church sides with the immorality of the world it has not followed the truth of the Word of God and to that lost soul that is looking in he sees no difference from that of his own life.
The Church needs to be busy about the Masters work and leave off the ways of the world that have been seeping into God's House for a long time now. We need to be ashamed and humble our selves before God.
I am a Christian who attends a Baptist church, not because it is Baptist, but because I believe the doctrine is the closest thing to the New Testament church as taught by the Apostles.
Like Oliver Green said, when someone comes along with a doctrine that follows the doctrine of the New Testament church in the time of the Apostles in a better way then, I may go to a different church.
The main thing is to be in a Bible believing Church and that means the entire Word of God. I find the most accurate version to be the King James Bible.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy these words:
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know [how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth].
In this chapter we will continue to see what Jesus taught His disciples about principles and relationships, especially involving the kingdom of Heaven. We must remember that this is not the church but these lessons are needed by today's believers as well.
What we will see is that after the transfiguration of chapter 17 is that these disciples showed more concern for their own status in that soon coming Millennial Kingdom than in the actual building of it.
*****Our Text:
Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mat 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Mat 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Mat 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
This very first verse connects these events with the events of chapter seventeen:
Luk 9:37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
Luk 9:38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.
Luk 9:39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
Luk 9:40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
Luk 9:41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
Luk 9:42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
Luk 9:43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
Luk 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
Luk 9:45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
Luk 9:46 [Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest].
The questions of the kingdom stayed so much in the mind of the disciples that they were loosing track of their purpose.
As the church, we also have a place reserved in Heaven but if God did not have a purpose for us here while we yet live, then He would have taken us on to Heaven when he saved us.
There is not single child of God that has more influence with Him than another. We all have a job in the army of God and it is on that one thing that we will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
We receive the Holy Spirit upon being washed in the blood of Jesus. It is that very Spirit that will then give us a gift with a meaning and a purpose in the body of Christ.
Excluding Judas (the betrayer) and adding Matthias those 12 disciples will judge the nation of Israel during the Millennial Kingdom as it written, all on the same standing.
To emphasize, Jesus Christ sat a small child in the midst of them. With this child in plain site Jesus began to teach some valuable lessons.
1.) A child at that time was dependant totally upon it's father. A child knows nothing of itself but must be taught by it's father. A child must depend on it's father.
a.) In order to enter into the kingdom of heaven then that person must have a childlike dependence on the "One"(God) who offers up the kingdom.
2.) A child had no rights at home, all rights belonged to the parent. The child could not exert his will against his father but was subject to his father's will.
a.) The position in the kingdom of heaven depends on taking that position as a child.
3.) Only those that subject themselves to the will of the Father who is in Heaven can enter into that Heaven.
4.) To receive the Father one has to also receive His Children.
Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire [to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all].
Nothing like this had ever been taught in the history of the world.
This brings to the importance of these words:
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
We must humble our selves before God as a child. True humility means knowing yourself, accepting yourself, and being yourself, to the Glory of God.
There are two extremes we have to avoid:
1.) Thinking less of ourselves than we ought to:
As Moses:
Exo 3:11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
We know Moses as one of the great men of the Bible and probably one of the two witnesses in the Book of the Revelation of Christ.
2.) We can also think too much of ourselves:
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
3.) The servant of God will not deny the gifts God has given to them but will use them to the Glory of God.
An unspoiled child of God will:
1.) Trust in Him for everything.
2.) Depend on Him for all things.
3.) Desire to make others happy through knowledge of Jesus Christ.
4.) There will not be a selfish desire to be greater than others.
5.) He will not boast of his accomplishments.
None of us want to be servants but God requires us to have the mind of a servant.
Jesus points out four attitudes about children:
1.) "become as little children"
2.) "humble himself as this little child"
3.) "receive one such little child"
4.) "despise not one of these little ones"
We must be careful that we do not become a stumblingblock to any child of God.
Like the good Shepherd, God seeks the lost and God saves them. As His servants WE MUST NOT CAUSE THEM TO PERISH.
We would be foolish to also think that these things did not apply to the way we raise our own children. I'm sure child neglect is a serious matter to Our Father in Heaven.
Humility is a much desired trait of the redeemed of the Lord:
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Jesus was not telling us to maim our own bodies but He was telling us instructing us to perform "spiritual surgery" on ourselves, removing anything that could cause us or others to stumble.
A truly humble person lives for Jesus first and others next. In fact a good rule of thumb still is the word JOY:
Jesus
Others
Yourself
*****Our text:
Mat 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Mat 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
Mat 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
The goals of Jesus should be the goals of every Christian. We should want what God wants!
God wants every living breathing human being to be saved. It's up to God if that takes place. It is in the hands of God and not in our hands but we should have the attitude that all are in need of salvation and be open witnesses to all that will hear God's message. He does the calling and He does the saving.
OUR JOB IS TO BE THE WITNESS. Not only in theWord of God but in our daily lives. There are always those that are looking at those who claim to be Christian.
There is no greater words about the shepherd than that in John 10:
Joh 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Joh 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Joh 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Joh 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Joh 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
*****Our Text:
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Christ Jesus has already announced His intention to build His Church. We also know that the building of the Church is still future, after the cross. He has said that no Church exists at this time of His life on this Earth.
And so the words He spoke now to the disciples are in anticipation to the gathering out of the assembly of God. (The Church)
The "Church" is not the same thing as the "Synagogue"!
Jesus had already answered their question about who will be the greatest. He had said that true believers must be as little children and Born of God.
Jesus had spoke of His "mission" to save all that are lost.
Jesus spoke of His "grace" in seeking those that stray.
Now His teaching falls on those that have sinned. He speaks directly of the brother who has sinned!
Jesus will now address how a brother who is in sin is to be treated:
If a brother is in sin, whether it be intentional or unintentional another brother is to go to that brother and point out that sin to him.
The object is to restore and regain this brother. This should only be done after earnest prayer, in meekness and only after self judgment.
God gave these words to the Church:
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
1.) We can see that the first step is to treat our brother in a personal manner and not over expose the committed sin to others.
2.) If he will not listen as it would be your understanding against his own understanding then another witness or two should be taken both having the same manner of preparation. (Prayer, in meekness, and self judgment)
3.) After this fails then it should be presented to the entire Body of Christ all in the same manner, in prayer, in meekness, and self examination. And if everyone in one accord and there is no repentance then step four will be taken.
4.) Let him be as a heathen and a publican:
Heathen means today:
In modern usage the word denotes all nations that are strangers to the revealed Word Of God.
Publican means:
The class designated by this word, in the New Testament, were employed as collectors of the Roman revenue. A collector of toll or tribute. Among the Romans, a publican was a farmer of the taxes and public revenues,and the inferior officers of this class were deemed oppressive.
Both were hated by the Jews!
We must also understand that this is the function of the Church to the brothers in Christ. These same rules are not to be used on the "lost". We may judge our brother to a degree but we are witnesses only to the lost of this world. It is God and His Word that will judge the "Lost"!
*****Our text:
Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
*****VERILY: means In truth, in fact, certainly.
What we see is that the Lord has given authority not to the Apostles but to the assembly, The Church to act on Earth for Himself. The authority of the Church is absolute. The Apostles are to teach but this cannot take place till after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ. It will begin at Pentecost. The proof being in the first sermon of the Apostle Peter.
It is the Church that has executive power! The Church is to act according to the rules laid down by Jesus in harmony with His Word.
It is necessary to maintain unity among believers because this has been required by the Lord for answered prayer. Corporate prayer is simply not effective unless it is done in unity and in agreement.
God said that where two or three that gather together in agreement with Him that He also would be there with them to pray.
We must stay focused on the goal, which is to save this brother.
Church discipline is not the Church acting as policemen but exercising the authority of God through a local Body of Christ to restore and erring child of God.
*****Our Text:
Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Unless the lessons of the Word of God result in forgiveness, relationships cannot be mended and strengthened. Peter recognized this but, we cannot just assume that it is our brother that will sin against us. We then have exalted ourselves above our brother and lack humility. We all make mistakes!
When Christ died on that cross he unleashed limitless forgiveness. Where there is "agape" love, there can be no limits in forgiveness.
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Again Christ teach teaches the Church:
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
*****Our Text:
Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
In order to teach the principle of forgiveness Jesus uses a parable.
Let's put this in perspective. At the time of Jesus the entire levy of taxes for all of Palestine was only about 800 talents a year. This man was stealing funds from the king and actually thought he could get out of debt.
800 talents in our day would be about 10 million dollars. This man owed 10 thousand talents. This man owed about 125 million dollars to this king. This man could never repay this debt.
That sounds a whole lot like my debt I owed when the Lord paid my debt. I had a debt I could not pay.
This man's belongings and all his family would never be enough to pay this debt. We can see the "typology" in these statements. You cannot accumulate enough in this world to get you into Heaven. Only with God's mercy and His Grace can we obtain eternal life!
This servant did just as we all have to do. We have to humble ourselves before a righteous God.
The Master was moved with this man's plea and forgave him.
Oh what a Savior!
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Why because I had a debt I could not pay. My blood would have meant my life.
What is propitiation?
The act of appeasing wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person; the act of making propitious.
In theology, the atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage his wrath and render him propitious to sinners. Christ is the propitiation for the sins of men.
He is all that is needed for propitiation in behalf of our sins, the propitiatory sacrifice provided by the Father's love removing the estrangement, appearing God's righteous wrath against the sinner. A father may be offended with a son, yet all the while love him.
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be [a propitiation] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
1Jn 2:2 And he is [the propitiation] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be [the propitiation] for our sins.
Now the true test of the forgiven ones:
This servant did not deserve this forgiveness but did it change him?
Let's not forget what a parable is all about:
A fable or allegorical relation or representation of something real in life or nature, from which a moral is drawn for instruction.
A parable is the placing side by side or comparing earthly truths, expressed, with heavenly truths to be understood.
This servant left the presence of this king. You if we are truly saved we will never want to leave from the presence of our King, Our Lord, Our God.
When he did he found a servant that had owed him some money. Now a pence at the time of Jesus was a day's wages. This man owed 100 pence which could have been paid with 100 days of labor.
This unjust servant, who had left the presence of the Lord, had no forgiveness in his heart.
Now we could see this in two different ways but we must be careful. We could say that in "typology" that this man was saved and then lost his salvation and we would be in great error.
What we really should realize is this parable relates to the kingdom heaven, which is not the Church though a great principle can be observed here.
The truth is that he had not ask for forgiveness with a open heart. He had not truly invited the Lord Jesus into his heart.
James says:
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
This servant who had had the opportunity to avoid prison was now placed into prison. The king had these words:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
In other words:
If you want to live by the justice of this world rather than the justice of God, then you can have it your way.
It was the actions of this servant that sent him to hell rather than the freedom offered by this king.
The world's worst prison is the prison of an unforgiving heart. When we refuse to forgive others we are imprisoning our selves in our own torment.
Let's Pray!
Our Text: Matthew 18
It is fair to say the biggest hindrance to the Church has been the Church itself. When Christian people bicker and fight amongst themselves then the Church does not set much of an example to that lost soul looking in. When the Church sides with the immorality of the world it has not followed the truth of the Word of God and to that lost soul that is looking in he sees no difference from that of his own life.
The Church needs to be busy about the Masters work and leave off the ways of the world that have been seeping into God's House for a long time now. We need to be ashamed and humble our selves before God.
I am a Christian who attends a Baptist church, not because it is Baptist, but because I believe the doctrine is the closest thing to the New Testament church as taught by the Apostles.
Like Oliver Green said, when someone comes along with a doctrine that follows the doctrine of the New Testament church in the time of the Apostles in a better way then, I may go to a different church.
The main thing is to be in a Bible believing Church and that means the entire Word of God. I find the most accurate version to be the King James Bible.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy these words:
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know [how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth].
In this chapter we will continue to see what Jesus taught His disciples about principles and relationships, especially involving the kingdom of Heaven. We must remember that this is not the church but these lessons are needed by today's believers as well.
What we will see is that after the transfiguration of chapter 17 is that these disciples showed more concern for their own status in that soon coming Millennial Kingdom than in the actual building of it.
*****Our Text:
Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mat 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Mat 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Mat 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
This very first verse connects these events with the events of chapter seventeen:
Luk 9:37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
Luk 9:38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.
Luk 9:39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
Luk 9:40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
Luk 9:41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
Luk 9:42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
Luk 9:43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
Luk 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
Luk 9:45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
Luk 9:46 [Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest].
The questions of the kingdom stayed so much in the mind of the disciples that they were loosing track of their purpose.
As the church, we also have a place reserved in Heaven but if God did not have a purpose for us here while we yet live, then He would have taken us on to Heaven when he saved us.
There is not single child of God that has more influence with Him than another. We all have a job in the army of God and it is on that one thing that we will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
We receive the Holy Spirit upon being washed in the blood of Jesus. It is that very Spirit that will then give us a gift with a meaning and a purpose in the body of Christ.
Excluding Judas (the betrayer) and adding Matthias those 12 disciples will judge the nation of Israel during the Millennial Kingdom as it written, all on the same standing.
To emphasize, Jesus Christ sat a small child in the midst of them. With this child in plain site Jesus began to teach some valuable lessons.
1.) A child at that time was dependant totally upon it's father. A child knows nothing of itself but must be taught by it's father. A child must depend on it's father.
a.) In order to enter into the kingdom of heaven then that person must have a childlike dependence on the "One"(God) who offers up the kingdom.
2.) A child had no rights at home, all rights belonged to the parent. The child could not exert his will against his father but was subject to his father's will.
a.) The position in the kingdom of heaven depends on taking that position as a child.
3.) Only those that subject themselves to the will of the Father who is in Heaven can enter into that Heaven.
4.) To receive the Father one has to also receive His Children.
Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire [to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all].
Nothing like this had ever been taught in the history of the world.
This brings to the importance of these words:
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
We must humble our selves before God as a child. True humility means knowing yourself, accepting yourself, and being yourself, to the Glory of God.
There are two extremes we have to avoid:
1.) Thinking less of ourselves than we ought to:
As Moses:
Exo 3:11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
We know Moses as one of the great men of the Bible and probably one of the two witnesses in the Book of the Revelation of Christ.
2.) We can also think too much of ourselves:
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
3.) The servant of God will not deny the gifts God has given to them but will use them to the Glory of God.
An unspoiled child of God will:
1.) Trust in Him for everything.
2.) Depend on Him for all things.
3.) Desire to make others happy through knowledge of Jesus Christ.
4.) There will not be a selfish desire to be greater than others.
5.) He will not boast of his accomplishments.
None of us want to be servants but God requires us to have the mind of a servant.
Jesus points out four attitudes about children:
1.) "become as little children"
2.) "humble himself as this little child"
3.) "receive one such little child"
4.) "despise not one of these little ones"
We must be careful that we do not become a stumblingblock to any child of God.
Like the good Shepherd, God seeks the lost and God saves them. As His servants WE MUST NOT CAUSE THEM TO PERISH.
We would be foolish to also think that these things did not apply to the way we raise our own children. I'm sure child neglect is a serious matter to Our Father in Heaven.
Humility is a much desired trait of the redeemed of the Lord:
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Jesus was not telling us to maim our own bodies but He was telling us instructing us to perform "spiritual surgery" on ourselves, removing anything that could cause us or others to stumble.
A truly humble person lives for Jesus first and others next. In fact a good rule of thumb still is the word JOY:
Jesus
Others
Yourself
*****Our text:
Mat 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Mat 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
Mat 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
The goals of Jesus should be the goals of every Christian. We should want what God wants!
God wants every living breathing human being to be saved. It's up to God if that takes place. It is in the hands of God and not in our hands but we should have the attitude that all are in need of salvation and be open witnesses to all that will hear God's message. He does the calling and He does the saving.
OUR JOB IS TO BE THE WITNESS. Not only in theWord of God but in our daily lives. There are always those that are looking at those who claim to be Christian.
There is no greater words about the shepherd than that in John 10:
Joh 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Joh 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Joh 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Joh 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Joh 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
*****Our Text:
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Christ Jesus has already announced His intention to build His Church. We also know that the building of the Church is still future, after the cross. He has said that no Church exists at this time of His life on this Earth.
And so the words He spoke now to the disciples are in anticipation to the gathering out of the assembly of God. (The Church)
The "Church" is not the same thing as the "Synagogue"!
Jesus had already answered their question about who will be the greatest. He had said that true believers must be as little children and Born of God.
Jesus had spoke of His "mission" to save all that are lost.
Jesus spoke of His "grace" in seeking those that stray.
Now His teaching falls on those that have sinned. He speaks directly of the brother who has sinned!
Jesus will now address how a brother who is in sin is to be treated:
If a brother is in sin, whether it be intentional or unintentional another brother is to go to that brother and point out that sin to him.
The object is to restore and regain this brother. This should only be done after earnest prayer, in meekness and only after self judgment.
God gave these words to the Church:
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
1.) We can see that the first step is to treat our brother in a personal manner and not over expose the committed sin to others.
2.) If he will not listen as it would be your understanding against his own understanding then another witness or two should be taken both having the same manner of preparation. (Prayer, in meekness, and self judgment)
3.) After this fails then it should be presented to the entire Body of Christ all in the same manner, in prayer, in meekness, and self examination. And if everyone in one accord and there is no repentance then step four will be taken.
4.) Let him be as a heathen and a publican:
Heathen means today:
In modern usage the word denotes all nations that are strangers to the revealed Word Of God.
Publican means:
The class designated by this word, in the New Testament, were employed as collectors of the Roman revenue. A collector of toll or tribute. Among the Romans, a publican was a farmer of the taxes and public revenues,and the inferior officers of this class were deemed oppressive.
Both were hated by the Jews!
We must also understand that this is the function of the Church to the brothers in Christ. These same rules are not to be used on the "lost". We may judge our brother to a degree but we are witnesses only to the lost of this world. It is God and His Word that will judge the "Lost"!
*****Our text:
Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
*****VERILY: means In truth, in fact, certainly.
What we see is that the Lord has given authority not to the Apostles but to the assembly, The Church to act on Earth for Himself. The authority of the Church is absolute. The Apostles are to teach but this cannot take place till after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ. It will begin at Pentecost. The proof being in the first sermon of the Apostle Peter.
It is the Church that has executive power! The Church is to act according to the rules laid down by Jesus in harmony with His Word.
It is necessary to maintain unity among believers because this has been required by the Lord for answered prayer. Corporate prayer is simply not effective unless it is done in unity and in agreement.
God said that where two or three that gather together in agreement with Him that He also would be there with them to pray.
We must stay focused on the goal, which is to save this brother.
Church discipline is not the Church acting as policemen but exercising the authority of God through a local Body of Christ to restore and erring child of God.
*****Our Text:
Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Unless the lessons of the Word of God result in forgiveness, relationships cannot be mended and strengthened. Peter recognized this but, we cannot just assume that it is our brother that will sin against us. We then have exalted ourselves above our brother and lack humility. We all make mistakes!
When Christ died on that cross he unleashed limitless forgiveness. Where there is "agape" love, there can be no limits in forgiveness.
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Again Christ teach teaches the Church:
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
*****Our Text:
Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
In order to teach the principle of forgiveness Jesus uses a parable.
Let's put this in perspective. At the time of Jesus the entire levy of taxes for all of Palestine was only about 800 talents a year. This man was stealing funds from the king and actually thought he could get out of debt.
800 talents in our day would be about 10 million dollars. This man owed 10 thousand talents. This man owed about 125 million dollars to this king. This man could never repay this debt.
That sounds a whole lot like my debt I owed when the Lord paid my debt. I had a debt I could not pay.
This man's belongings and all his family would never be enough to pay this debt. We can see the "typology" in these statements. You cannot accumulate enough in this world to get you into Heaven. Only with God's mercy and His Grace can we obtain eternal life!
This servant did just as we all have to do. We have to humble ourselves before a righteous God.
The Master was moved with this man's plea and forgave him.
Oh what a Savior!
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Why because I had a debt I could not pay. My blood would have meant my life.
What is propitiation?
The act of appeasing wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person; the act of making propitious.
In theology, the atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage his wrath and render him propitious to sinners. Christ is the propitiation for the sins of men.
He is all that is needed for propitiation in behalf of our sins, the propitiatory sacrifice provided by the Father's love removing the estrangement, appearing God's righteous wrath against the sinner. A father may be offended with a son, yet all the while love him.
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be [a propitiation] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
1Jn 2:2 And he is [the propitiation] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be [the propitiation] for our sins.
Now the true test of the forgiven ones:
This servant did not deserve this forgiveness but did it change him?
Let's not forget what a parable is all about:
A fable or allegorical relation or representation of something real in life or nature, from which a moral is drawn for instruction.
A parable is the placing side by side or comparing earthly truths, expressed, with heavenly truths to be understood.
This servant left the presence of this king. You if we are truly saved we will never want to leave from the presence of our King, Our Lord, Our God.
When he did he found a servant that had owed him some money. Now a pence at the time of Jesus was a day's wages. This man owed 100 pence which could have been paid with 100 days of labor.
This unjust servant, who had left the presence of the Lord, had no forgiveness in his heart.
Now we could see this in two different ways but we must be careful. We could say that in "typology" that this man was saved and then lost his salvation and we would be in great error.
What we really should realize is this parable relates to the kingdom heaven, which is not the Church though a great principle can be observed here.
The truth is that he had not ask for forgiveness with a open heart. He had not truly invited the Lord Jesus into his heart.
James says:
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
This servant who had had the opportunity to avoid prison was now placed into prison. The king had these words:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
In other words:
If you want to live by the justice of this world rather than the justice of God, then you can have it your way.
It was the actions of this servant that sent him to hell rather than the freedom offered by this king.
The world's worst prison is the prison of an unforgiving heart. When we refuse to forgive others we are imprisoning our selves in our own torment.
Let's Pray!
