WEBVTT 00:00:01.120 --> 00:00:03.759 Take your Bible and turn to Matthew chapter 18. 00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:05.280 Matthew chapter 18. 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:14.640 And I titled as much as uh kind of lengthy, but really spoke to me this week what it's all about, and uh says, Receiving grace, but not giving grace is a disgrace. 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:24.399 And we're gonna look at look at this today in a parable that Jesus teaches, and it's really uh should speak to all of us about how God expects us to be forgiving once we've received his grace. 00:00:24.559 --> 00:00:34.960 But in Matthew chapter 18, verse 21, it says, Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, talking to Jesus, says, How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him till seven times? 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:36.640 And let's go to the Lord in a word of prayer. 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:38.640 Heavenly Father, we just humbly bow before you. 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:44.799 Again, Lord, just thank you for the day and for all the many blessings you bestow upon us for the opportunity to come this morning to worship you in spirit and truth. 00:00:44.880 --> 00:00:59.600 And Lord, I do ask you for your preaching grace, that you just have me behind the cross and I remain there and that we would truly uh again not not just hear your word uh with our ears, but we hear it with our hearts, and truly understand what it means to be forgiven and to be a person that is willing to forgive. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:05.599 Uh, because none of us are perfect, only you're perfect, and that we would just live a life where you receive all the honor, the glory, and the praise. 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:16.079 And we do pray for this one that's lost among us today that doesn't know you as Savior, that today be the day that they would repent of their sins and call upon you and be saved and grow and become a disciple. 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:19.760 And any other decision that needs to be made today, Lord, we pray it be made today in accordance to your will. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:21.359 And Father, we're so thankful for your word. 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:23.040 Uh, we're thankful for your Holy Spirit. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:25.280 I pray we always be yielding to Him and censored to Him. 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:28.879 I pray as He moves today that we again be yielding to Him for your will to be done. 00:01:29.040 --> 00:01:30.159 Again, we love and we praise you. 00:01:30.239 --> 00:01:32.719 We ask forgiveness of sins, and we ask it's all in Jesus' name. 00:01:32.959 --> 00:01:33.599 Amen. 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:38.079 So Peter asks a question, and Jesus gives the answer in verse 22. 00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:42.079 Jesus said to him, I say not unto these seven times, but until seventy times seven. 00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:44.000 So we really think about what Jesus is saying. 00:01:44.079 --> 00:01:48.400 It's really talking about grace and meaning forgiveness and how many times we're to forgive someone. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:57.040 Uh and it's uh the definition of grace is really it's unmerited favor, and it's God giving us what we don't deserve. 00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:00.719 What people will say about mercy is God withholding what we do deserve. 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:10.159 Uh, none of us are deserving of God's grace, but out of his love and for us, and he was willing that he would send Jesus to die, that we would be saved through his blood. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:10.960 It's a gift. 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:14.479 So turn to Ephesians, keep your place here, but turn to Ephesians chapter 2. 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:16.879 Uh it explains it very well to us. 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:26.240 Great verses about salvation and what it what grace really is, and how we're saved through grace, uh, by faith through uh with grace through faith. 00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:34.879 And Ephesians chapter 2 says, For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. 00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:44.560 In verse 9, it says, Not of works, lest any man should boast, as we are as workmanship created in Christ, Jesus, unto good works, which God hath ordained that we should walk in them. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:48.800 And if we don't are not willing to forgive people that wrong us, guess what? 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:56.319 We're not going to be able to do the good works that God would have us to do, because we are to reflect Christ, and Christ was so forgiving of every sin. 00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:01.680 That was one of the very last things that Jesus said on the cross says, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:09.599 So really to think about what Peter's asking is understanding that we have received an amazing grace. 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:10.879 An amazing grace. 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:15.199 The Bible says where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:17.439 And uh the world is full of sin, but guess what? 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:22.000 God's uh uh payment, his blood has covered all sin. 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:26.960 And so we ought to be a forgiving, a forgiving people because we have received his grace. 00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:32.240 But you think about people that's received grace from God, and it's and it's just surface level. 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:36.479 It's it's either it's either abused, it's used, or refused. 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:40.319 Really, you think about people when it comes to receiving God's grace. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:43.759 I preached a message years ago about abusing God's grace. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:50.879 I've been guilty of it, we've all been guilty of it, but I belong to him, and when I realize that the Holy Spirit convicts and we repent. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:55.120 We're gonna look today, though, at someone that has only received the grace on a surface level. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:57.599 And so it's understanding it's more than that. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:04:03.599 We ought to receive his grace for salvation, and then we daily need his grace for fellowship, for fellowship. 00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:09.599 So understanding that, and then grace is really his forgiveness for something you know that we don't deserve God's grace. 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:15.439 Uh turn to Colossians, if you're still in Ephesians a few pages over to Colossians chapter one. 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:17.920 Colossians chapter one. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:34.240 The Apostle Paul, the church in Colossae, he says in verse 9, it says, For this cause also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will and all wisdom and spiritual understanding. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:05:04.480 And what is God one God's will for us, of course, to be saved, to be growing, and to be a forgiving people, to be a forgiving people, uh, that you might might walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing the knowledge of God, strengthening with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness, giving thanks to the Father, which hath made us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us from the kingdom of his dear son. 00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:06.240 That's all of us that's been saved. 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:06.800 Guess what? 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:09.519 We once walked in darkness, separated from God. 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:13.759 But he has drawn us through the light, and we are, like Jesus said, we are to be the salt and the light. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:17.680 And he says in verse 14, in whom we have redemption through his blood. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:18.879 Look what it says. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:21.439 Even the forgiveness of sins. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:23.040 Even the forgiveness of sins. 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:24.879 So what does Peter ask Jesus? 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:28.959 Look back in Matthew 18, verse 21. 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:35.360 Then Peter came to him again, Jesus, and said, Lord, how often my brother sin against me and I forgive him till seven times. 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:38.160 I've seen commentaries in some commentaries and things. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:43.439 It says some rabbis in Jesus' day was teaching that, you know, they would teach, well, you get you got three times. 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:48.560 You need to forgive someone three times, and after that third time, it's okay to just say, I'm done with you. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:49.680 We're finished. 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:57.279 And so Peter's probably thinking, well, Jesus is always a little bit, he's a little wiser, definitely wiser than the other rabbis and things. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:59.120 Jesus is probably going to say seven. 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:01.040 So he says, is it seven times? 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:02.240 And what did Jesus say? 00:06:02.399 --> 00:06:08.240 In verse 22, he says, I say not until seven times, but until 70 times seven. 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:12.160 And I believe it's either in Luke or Mark, it says, and he says, in a day. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:17.600 So seven times seventy, four hundred and ninety times in a day is what Jesus is saying is we're to always be forgiving. 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:20.399 We're always be forgiving if we're sincere. 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:25.199 And understanding to be sincere. 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:28.879 Because forgiveness is really is it's about it's about salvation. 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:32.480 What we just read in Colossians, we be forgiven of our sins. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:34.720 Uh because God doesn't have to. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:37.360 We we we are the ones that's unrighteous. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:40.959 We are the ones that are filthy rags, and but God loved us and forgave us. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:50.879 And so we to not forgive someone, and I struggled with it for a long time growing up, I would hold a grudge and I wouldn't always want to be like some people, I'm gonna get back. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:52.160 I'd always just say, I'm done. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:54.560 I'd always just do my own thing and like I'm done with that person. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:07:01.040 And it's such a self-righteousness, but to be saved, but to be saved and know the truth and say, I, you know, I'm I'm done with that person. 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:08.240 When God can forgive that person, and you say, Well, I'm done with that person, you're making yourself to be more like more righteous than God. 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:09.199 Really. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:15.279 And that's not what God wants at all for us to be self-righteous at all, because we are forgiven. 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:16.160 We're forgiven. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:18.800 And so we're going to look at what Jesus, how he teaches this. 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:24.000 Uh, we need to always remember, uh, turn to Matthew real quick, Matthew chapter 6, a few pages back. 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:38.160 Well, this is a very it should really help us understand what Jesus, the seriousness of us forgiving. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:44.000 In Matthew chapter 6, verse 14, he says, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you. 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:49.360 In verse 15, he says, But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses. 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:55.759 I mean, that's a very serious statement from Christ saying, if you're you're going to be so self-righteous that you won't forgive someone, then why do you think God would forgive you? 00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:57.519 Because of your self-righteousness. 00:07:57.600 --> 00:07:59.199 And so really it's understanding. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:01.120 And Jesus teaches a parable. 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:05.680 And really, all parables, every single parable, is about one thing. 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:06.879 It's about salvation. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:08.560 Understanding salvation. 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:20.240 And it's what Jesus tells this parable, but we, of course, forgiveness, we have been forgiven of our sins, but we have to accept that free gift, that gift of grace that's been given to us. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:30.560 And uh and so he tells this parable in verse 23, back in Matthew 18, he says, Therefore is the kingdom of heaven like unto a certain king which would take account of his servants. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:35.600 And again, most of the parables, when it comes to the king and the Lord of the story, guess who that is? 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:37.360 That's Jesus or God the Father. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:39.759 So the king is representing Christ or the Father. 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:40.960 He's going to take an account. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:42.399 And he's talking about the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:45.600 It's like unto a certain king which would take an account of his servants. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:47.840 And that's that's all of us. 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:49.679 Uh think about the servants. 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:55.600 Bible says that you know that he's going to separate the sheep from the goats. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:58.559 Uh and I pray you're a sheep. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:00.080 I pray you're a sheep. 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:01.200 And not a goat. 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:03.919 There's churches all over this world that have both. 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:05.039 That have both. 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:06.559 But it's not for us. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:08.720 We can't see the heart. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:14.240 We're going to look to that in a minute, but it's the heart, and God will eventually, one day, separate the sheep from the goats. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:16.639 But we have to understand this is what Jesus is teaching. 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:24.559 And he says, begin, and he says, the king says, and when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him, which owed him 10,000 talents. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:28.720 I've heard all kinds of different numbers back for that day to be today. 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:31.679 Three billion, three hundred million. 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:38.159 I mean, it's an amount that no one could work ten lifetimes and save every penny and payback. 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:42.240 He was in humongous, humongous debt. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:44.000 He owed that guy so much. 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:46.159 And again, what's that picture for us? 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:50.080 It's a reference to our sin debt. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:58.399 That we we we uh we have a debt from the time that we're born in this world, we reached the age of accountability that we could never pay back. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:02.799 We could never, there's no good works, there's nothing we could do to pay that back. 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:04.000 So, what did God do? 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:07.600 He sends Jesus the perfect sacrifice to pay our sin debt. 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:09.679 So, this is what this is all really picturing. 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:12.799 So this guy owes him 10,000 talents. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:14.320 And then verse 25. 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:19.600 And he says, But for as much as he had not to pay, he didn't have enough, of course not. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:25.279 His Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and his children, all that he had, and payment to be made. 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:31.840 So the Lord says, I'm gonna sell your wife and your kids and everything you have to pay off what you owe me, a part of what you owe me. 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:33.840 Look what it says in verse 26. 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:42.399 And the servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, I will pay thee all. 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:49.919 Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion and loosed him and forgave him the debt. 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:51.120 Guess what? 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:52.320 Who is that? 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:54.080 That's all of us. 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:56.159 We've all been forgiven. 00:10:56.879 --> 00:11:01.039 Every last person on this earth has been forgiven. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:03.519 That's what we do with that forgiveness. 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:05.519 That's the difference. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:07.679 What we do with that forgiveness. 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:11.039 And so it's really understanding what Jesus is saying here. 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:17.759 I mean, you look at that like, wow, I got an amount that was unpayable back amount. 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:20.559 He couldn't pay it back, and God forgave him. 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:22.960 So we see he's been forgiven. 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:29.679 And uh really think about what we do with that grace is the difference in our lives. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:31.519 It's the difference in our lives. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:40.799 In verse 28, and this but the saved servant went out, the same serpent went out and found one of his fellow servants. 00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:44.399 This guy had people he worked for him, which owed him a hundred pence. 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:46.639 I should have looked that up, but I know it's very, very small. 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:50.000 Very, very small in comparison to the billions that he was given. 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:53.120 Let's just say, I'll say hundreds or maybe a thousand. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:58.559 Doesn't even compare to what he had just been forgiven of, is what he was owed. 00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:01.120 So he found someone that owed him just a little bit of money. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:08.799 And what look what he did what he does, which owed him a hundred pence, and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:18.559 Just after being forgiven an amount of money that he could take ten lifetimes and never pay back, took him by the throat saying, Pay me that thou owest. 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:25.840 Definitely not kind, as we talked about a few weeks ago, and it's definitely not Christ-like. 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:38.080 Just being forgiven and then demanding, demanding grace, or not giving grace, is a disgrace. 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:43.200 And I'll tell you, I've worked with people, I've been out there 30, I'll be out there 37 years in October. 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:45.440 And I've worked with all kinds of people. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:46.879 All kinds of people. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:50.799 And just this past week, got a guy that's really struggling. 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:54.159 Uh got issues, he's really struggling. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:55.759 And he's griping and complaining. 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:56.960 We got a new guy, we got another guy. 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:58.639 We had to move, they're short-handed milk shops. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:12:59.840 We lost a guy in our shop. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:03.519 And this guy in our shop, he's just griping and complaining about the new guy. 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:05.440 He said, Man, he don't know nothing. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.960 He don't know nothing. 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.559 He's always making mistakes. 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:10.000 I said, Man, he's young. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.840 He's young, he doesn't know. 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:13.120 Give him some grace. 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.000 It'll be fine. 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:15.039 He said, Ah, well, I don't know. 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:15.759 He just takes off. 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.559 Like, whatever. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:18.799 So I just kind of let them have their own little deal down there. 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.679 I got tied up. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:22.960 They're working on a bearing, and there's all kinds of parts. 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:26.000 You take a thing apart and clean it all up, put it all back together. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:29.759 I'm gonna let it let them do their thing, and then I got on and check it out and walk down there. 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:31.120 Just obvious. 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.200 One of the main parts is not in it. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:38.080 And the guy that was doing the griping and the complaining, he was the one that put it together. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:40.320 And that's how it always goes. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:43.840 You gripe and complain about somebody else's mistake, guess what? 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.519 You're fixed to make one. 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:47.519 You will make one. 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:49.360 So I walk over there and I say, it's obvious. 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:50.480 I said, Man, that's not right. 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.759 He said, What's wrong with it? 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.200 I said, Look at it. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:56.480 That main ring that goes in a row has to be in that bearing. 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:58.399 He's like, You know what he said? 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:01.440 He said, Ah, it's not the first time that's happened. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.879 Like, no. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.960 I said, No, we've all made mistakes. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:06.399 We've all made mistakes. 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:12.639 But he's still yet, when it was staring him in the face, wouldn't admit it was his fault. 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:14.000 It was his fault. 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:23.679 But he demanded perfection from this kid, young guy, but he himself made a mistake the very next week, the very next day, after he had come to me about griping and complaining. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:28.240 And so I'm just here to say, if you think you know it all, guess what? 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:30.960 There's some situation going to happen where you'll realize you don't. 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:31.679 You don't. 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:33.200 That's how God works. 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.559 That's how God works. 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:36.399 And so we ought to give grace. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:38.000 We ought to give grace. 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:40.399 And here, this guy does not give any grace. 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:43.840 He grabs him by the throat, saying, You pay me everything you owe me. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:46.000 And look what it says in verse 29. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:52.240 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him, saying, Have patience with me and I will pay thee all. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:54.080 Boy, doesn't that sound familiar? 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:56.000 Who does that sound like? 00:14:56.240 --> 00:15:03.039 It's almost word for word what the guy that had him by the throat just said to the Lord. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:05.360 Let's just say the day before. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:08.480 He said the exact same words. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:13.200 Ask him for compassion and mercy and grace. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:15.759 And he wouldn't do it. 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:18.240 In verse 30, he said, he would not. 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:23.360 But went and cast him into prison till he shall pay the debt. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:26.480 So what did he do with the grace that he had been given? 00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:29.279 He made it a disgrace. 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:32.080 He made it a disgrace. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.039 He wouldn't do it. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.120 So guess what? 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.639 Word gets out. 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.639 It always does. 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:52.080 He said, so when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry or upset or angry and came and told their Lord all that was done. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.960 The Lord sees. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:58.879 Not just our actions, but he sees the heart. 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:02.480 And they seen the attitude and things that was going on. 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:10.480 And it's understanding what grace is and and realizing how much we've been given. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:16.320 But there's also understanding that it's what we do with it. 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:19.120 And it's in every situation. 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:24.480 This situation here, he would have been forgiven an amazing amount of money. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.159 And forgiven. 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:29.600 And he's like, all right, I'll take that grace. 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.600 Dances off and like, man, yeah. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:36.320 Then someone asked for so much less and then want and give it. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.840 It's terrible. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:51.440 And it's kind of like in a way, in a little way, like having kids, and say you go to the store with one, you buy them ice cream or whatever, and the other two's not here, and you show up and you buy ice cream and the other two show up and gone, they show up, and you say, Hey, okay, share that. 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.639 I want to share that. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:54.240 I just bought you bought that for me. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:17:02.320 I'm like, well, yeah, I bought that for you, but share it with your two brothers or your brother and your sister, whatever it might be, if you have three or two, or whatever it might be, the opportunity to share. 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.919 Because, well, you gave it. 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:05.839 And so it's not about being stingy. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.759 But the situation could also be like this. 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:13.279 You have two kids and you give them an opportunity to say you'd want to say, I'm gonna want you to mow the yard. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.839 And one says, I don't want no part of that. 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:17.920 And one says, Well, I'll do it, but how much? 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:18.400 $10. 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.000 Mow the yard for$10. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:22.960 Okay, one says, I'll do it, and then says, I don't want no part of it. 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.799 Okay, one mows the yard for$10. 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:27.839 You give me the$10, and then the one comes back and says, Hey, give me my$10. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:28.559 No. 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:29.920 You had your choice. 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:33.279 So it's not about, and every situation is like that, understanding that. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:44.799 By saying this past week, a great picture of socialism was someone someone does that situation, and then someone does the$10, does all the work, and says, okay, now the dad says, okay, here's your$10, give your brother seven. 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.799 That didn't do it, didn't do any work. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.680 That's not fair. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.200 That's not at all right. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.359 See, God is always right. 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:53.279 God is always just. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:18:03.440 So we're going to see what the just God does in verse 32 when he hears what's going on to the man that he had just given this amazing grace to. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:10.720 He said, Then his Lord, after he had called him, said to him, Oh, thou wicked servant, look what he says. 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:17.200 I forgave thee all that debt because thou desirest me. 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.960 He said, You asked me. 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:20.960 And I gave it. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:33.359 He said, Shouldst not thou also have compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee. 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.799 It tells us what? 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:41.359 It tells us how much we have been forgiven of. 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:44.160 All of us. 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.920 And it reminds him. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:50.559 It reminds him of how much he had been forgiven of. 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:58.319 We must never forget how much we've been forgiven of, and also what it costs God to forgive us. 00:18:58.559 --> 00:19:01.920 And all we have to do, if we ever forget that, look at the cross. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.200 Remember the cross. 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:14.799 Remember what it costs God and how much we've been forgiven of, because we think about the blood and we should, but also when you think about the man that was on it, Jesus took our place. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:19.839 We should have been the one on the cross. 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:25.599 Yes, we are to we do celebrate and understand the blood, but understand he took our place. 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:27.920 The punishment was poured out on him. 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:33.599 And so that grace we should be willing to forgive. 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:35.599 Should be willing to forgive. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.759 Look what he says in verse 34. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:46.319 And his Lord was wroth or angry and delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all that was due unto him. 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:49.599 And so, what's it say? 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:54.079 Till he should pay all that was due to him, he would never be able to pay it. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:56.559 That's the whole lesson right here. 00:19:56.960 --> 00:20:02.079 Understand there's a sin, our sin that could never, we could never repay it. 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:10.160 And so God offered that grace to this man, and he took it for on surface level, but it was never in his heart. 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:11.680 It was never in his heart. 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:14.880 And so many people today are like this man. 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:20.880 They have a grace, they'll take that grace from God, but they won't give grace to other people. 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:24.880 Those people to me are very hard for me to be around. 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:28.000 That's why I'm really struggling with that guy in my shop right now. 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:30.960 It was up to me, he would be gone tomorrow. 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:33.359 But I don't have that authority. 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.039 Because I can't stomach it. 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.720 I cannot stomach it. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:43.119 For someone to think they're so perfect and they they want they want grace when they make mistakes. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:48.960 But the moment they they they do, it's just it's just so wrong. 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:52.079 It's just such it's such an arrogance and a conceit. 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:54.559 It's not humility at all. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:21:01.839 And so we see that God made it right because He was never He never belonged to Him. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:11.920 And so many people really need to check your life, check your heart, and say, Do I belong to, am I Christ-like? 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.920 Because what did Jesus tell Peter? 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:21.039 He said, I say not unto thee, until seven times to keep track, but until seven times seventy. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:26.160 It's understanding, yeah, we're not to be a doormat and let people continually take advantage of us. 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.599 That's not at all it. 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:36.079 Sometimes you have a friend that sometimes just takes advantage of you, and this, that, and the other, and say, Okay, I forgive you, but I cannot have that fellowship with you. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.720 That's true. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.160 That's true. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:43.920 Because what did what does Jesus say in verse 35? 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:53.920 So likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.680 And who what's he saying to you? 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.319 Who is you? 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.599 That's Peter. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.880 That's Peter. 00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:09.440 He says, So So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses. 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:14.400 It's a very humbling, very, very humbling story that Jesus tells us. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:18.640 That we are to walk humble and know that none of us are perfect. 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:28.240 And we've been given an amazing grace, an amazing grace, that we are to be like Christ, being a forgiving people. 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:30.160 Because what does forgiveness do? 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:36.559 When you forgive someone, it frees you from holding that grudge or whatever it might be that you're holding against that person. 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.519 It frees you. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:40.480 But also it renews that fellowship with God. 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:48.720 I'm here to tell you: if you belong to the Lord and you got a hardness in your heart and an anger in your heart, or you have an unwillingness to forgive someone in your heart, guess what? 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:50.480 That fellowship is broken. 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.839 Because it's simple. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:58.319 I'm not saying you don't belong to God, but if you won't forgive that person, I'm not saying be best friends with them. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.960 But forgive them. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:08.160 Turn over to the Lord, and that renews that fellowship you'll have with the Lord because God says, if we can't forgive, how do you think God's ever going to forgive us? 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:12.079 And we want to be forgiven because none of us are perfect. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:15.200 And by forgiving, we become more and more like Christ. 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:17.519 Turn back to Ephesians chapter 4. 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:19.440 Ephesians chapter 4. 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:22.400 Look at verse 32. 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:39.279 I think I might have looked at this a couple weeks ago and talking about not being nice, but being kind. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.000 What's it say? 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.839 And be ye kind one to another. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.920 Be kind one to another. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.279 Tender-hearted. 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.480 And then what's it say? 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:53.119 Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sakes hath forgiven you. 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:54.799 We've been forgiven. 00:23:55.119 --> 00:24:02.240 Accept that gift of grace and share that grace with people all around you that you come in contact with. 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:02.799 Share that. 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:04.720 Be like Christ. 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.839 And how does it start? 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:08.240 It starts by receiving God's grace for salvation. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.440 So if you would please stand. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:11.759 Miss Michelle and Brother Matt will come forward. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:15.279 Really examine your heart, examine your life. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:25.759 The Holy Spirit's here, talking to each and every one of us, wanting us to be, to accept God's grace for salvation and to share that grace in all we come in contact with. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:38.319 So I pray if you've lost and doesn't, you're not in a relationship with God, that you have never truly repented from the heart, ask God to forgive you of your sins, and you call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:40.240 I pray that today be the day you do that. 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:42.240 You'd have that conversation with God. 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:42.720 It is. 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:46.240 It's an open, honest conversation between you and God. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:49.039 It's like you would come and talk to me or talk to someone in this building. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.640 You talk to God in prayer. 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:55.440 In all sincerity and truth, say, Lord, I don't know how to word it, but I know I'm lost. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.799 I know I'm a sinner. 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:57.759 I know I've made mistakes. 00:24:57.839 --> 00:25:00.000 I know I've broken your law, but I believe in Jesus. 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:01.519 I believe he died in my place. 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:03.599 I believe that you have given us grace. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:05.440 I believe he died and he's rose again. 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.480 Lord, just save me. 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:10.000 And however you word that, as you're talking to God, guess what? 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:17.279 He will save you, and you'll become a new creature, a new creation belonging to him, and to be a babe, and he wants you to grow and become a disciple. 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:20.640 So if you're not growing, you're saved, but not growing, get right with God today. 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:22.160 It's not fellowship's not there. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.519 He wants to be in fellowship with you. 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.480 And what's the first step? 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.880 It's scriptural baptism. 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:29.039 Be baptized by the thought of the New Testament church. 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:31.119 That's the first step in obedience after being saved. 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:36.079 So I encourage you whatever it is decision you're dealing with between you and the Lord, get it right today before you leave. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:37.039 As we sing.