Forgiveness

Introduction: Jesus teaches his disciples about forgiveness. 15 Jesus said, "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won

your brother. 16 "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17 "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 21 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up

to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 One servant owed him ten thousand talents. 25 "But the servant did not have the means to repay the debt

and his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26 "So the servant fell to the ground before him, saying, "Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.' "And the lord of that slave felt compassion and forgave him the debt. 28 "But that same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and

he seized his fellow servant and began to choke him, saying, "Pay back what you owe.” So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, "Have patience with me and I will repay you.” But he was unwilling and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. When the other slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32 "Then summoning the steward, his lord said, ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you

pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."