Stories that Transform: Unmerciful Servant

                                      Stories that Transform:    Unmerciful Servant

                                                     Matthew 18:21-35

Jesus told stories to make a    

Context –    “How often do I have to ?”    

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?   Up to seven times?”            Matthew 18:21 (NIV) 

Jesus reply:    “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.”      Matthew 18:22 (Msg)

Jesus told a story about a King and a servant                   

A king wanted to accounts with his servants

“One day a king decided to call in his officials and ask them to give an account of what they owed him.”

Matthew 18:23 (CEV)

The servant’s debt was

 “a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.”     Matthew 18:24 (NIV) 

The servant’s statement was

 “Be patient with me and I will pay back everything”    Matt 18:26  (NIV)

The master’s compassion was

  “The servant’s master took pity on him,  canceled the debt, and let him go”    Matt 18:27 (NIV)

The servant’s response was

He grabbed him and began to choke him.  “Pay back what you owe me!”  he demanded   Matt. 18:28 (NIV)                           

The master the unforgiving servant

“You wicked servant”,   he said,   “I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”  Matt 18:32-33 (NIV)

We must our brothers and sisters just as God has forgiven us

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you your brother from your heart”

 Matt  18:35