Matthew 18: 23 - 35 Continued Parable of the Unjust Servant, 4th post.
We left last post asking why, Jesus did not give this servant another chance, when in other places in His teaching He says we are to forgive over and over. The point of Chapter 18 of Matthew is forgiveness is the goal, but sometimes, people can not change, if they will continue to live contrary to God's Law, then they must be let go, to keep from spoiling the rest of the group. This is the point of Matthew 18: 15 - 20 (Excommunication from the group.) This is a very serious charge, and should not be taken lightly. What does Excommunication mean?? It means that you are throwing someone out of your fellowship and leaving them for Satan to have. Whenever a Church group enters into this part of Matthew Chapter 18, excommunication is on the table. This is very serious, and the charge should match the solution. Hurt feelings is not a charge serious enough to use this solution. This servant was guilty of not forgiving his neighbor his debts (trespasses). This was taught us by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount Mathew Chapter 5 - 7. Jesus teaches us that the Father in Heaven will not forgive us, unless we first forgive our neighbor his debts (trespasses). You should remind yourself of this every time you say the Lord's Prayer! If you are a follower of Christ you should have a forgiving heart, up to a point. Learn the difference!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
568th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Unjust Servant 3rd Post - Matthew 18: 23 - 35
Matthew 18: 23 - 35 Continued 3rd post. Parable of the Unjust Servant Continued.
We left off last post with the servant who had his large debt forgiven, finding a fellow servant who owed him a considerably less debt, but demanded payment, and the servant could not pay threw him in prison until such time he could pay his debt. What just happened, speaks a lot about the character of the first servant. Most people when we have been forgiven a large debt by their master, would in turn forgive the other servant his debt to us; most of us would think this way. This is why the other servants who have watched this drama unfold, ran and told the master all that was done. The master in this story acts exactly how we would expect the master to act in this situation. We believe the master dealt justly with the unjust servant. You would be right. Now why would Jesus tell this parable in Chapter 18, along with the disciples bickering among themselves about "Who is the greatest!", and Jesus teaching about restoring a fallen member. This unjust servant was not restored but thrown out. Why?? The master threw him out, because he had already tried to restore him, when he forgave him his debt. Jesus tells us that we are to forgive over and over right??
Why would Jesus tell this story?? I am running out of space for this post so will continue this next post.
We left off last post with the servant who had his large debt forgiven, finding a fellow servant who owed him a considerably less debt, but demanded payment, and the servant could not pay threw him in prison until such time he could pay his debt. What just happened, speaks a lot about the character of the first servant. Most people when we have been forgiven a large debt by their master, would in turn forgive the other servant his debt to us; most of us would think this way. This is why the other servants who have watched this drama unfold, ran and told the master all that was done. The master in this story acts exactly how we would expect the master to act in this situation. We believe the master dealt justly with the unjust servant. You would be right. Now why would Jesus tell this parable in Chapter 18, along with the disciples bickering among themselves about "Who is the greatest!", and Jesus teaching about restoring a fallen member. This unjust servant was not restored but thrown out. Why?? The master threw him out, because he had already tried to restore him, when he forgave him his debt. Jesus tells us that we are to forgive over and over right??
Why would Jesus tell this story?? I am running out of space for this post so will continue this next post.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
567th Post Jesus Said Conerning Parables Con't. - Parables about Forgiveness Con't. - The Unjust Servant Parable 2nd Post - Matthew 18: 23 - 35.
Matthew 18: 23 - 35 Continued 2nd Post The Parable of the Unjust Servant.
This was spoken by Jesus toward the end of His earthly Ministry. Jesus was on His way from the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem for His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). Chapter 18 of Matthew opens with the disciples arguing amongst themselves "Who will be the greatest!" They come to Jesus and ask Him to tell them which one. Jesus grabs a child and puts him in their midst and then proceeds to tell them that they have to become more like this child to gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew chapter 18, also gives information about reconciling your lost brother. Then the chapter ends with this parable of the Unjust Servant; these topics do not seem to go together. Forgiveness is the central theme running through this chapter. In the parable listed above, the Master calls all of his servants to settle accounts. One of his servants owes him a debt of ten thousand talents. The master demands that the servant pay all he owes now. The servant could not pay, so the master commanded the servant, his wife and children be sold along with all his goods to settle the debt. The servant falls down before him and said "Have patience with me and I will pay you all." The master had compassion on this servant and forgave him his debt. The servant had no sooner left the master's presence when he finds a fellow servant that owes him a hundred denarii. The servant demands payment, when the servant can not pay, he threw this servant into prison till he could pay the debt.
This was spoken by Jesus toward the end of His earthly Ministry. Jesus was on His way from the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem for His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). Chapter 18 of Matthew opens with the disciples arguing amongst themselves "Who will be the greatest!" They come to Jesus and ask Him to tell them which one. Jesus grabs a child and puts him in their midst and then proceeds to tell them that they have to become more like this child to gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew chapter 18, also gives information about reconciling your lost brother. Then the chapter ends with this parable of the Unjust Servant; these topics do not seem to go together. Forgiveness is the central theme running through this chapter. In the parable listed above, the Master calls all of his servants to settle accounts. One of his servants owes him a debt of ten thousand talents. The master demands that the servant pay all he owes now. The servant could not pay, so the master commanded the servant, his wife and children be sold along with all his goods to settle the debt. The servant falls down before him and said "Have patience with me and I will pay you all." The master had compassion on this servant and forgave him his debt. The servant had no sooner left the master's presence when he finds a fellow servant that owes him a hundred denarii. The servant demands payment, when the servant can not pay, he threw this servant into prison till he could pay the debt.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
566th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - The Unjust Servant - 1st Post Matthew 18: 23 - 35.
Parable of the Unjust Servant - Matthew 18: 23 - 36- 1st Post.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all." Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him his debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!" So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. Continued next post.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all." Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him his debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!" So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. Continued next post.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
565th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - New Section Forgiveness - My Comments.
New Section Parables on Forgiveness.
Forgiveness is at the center of why many of us became Christians in the first place. When I think of forgiveness, the second verse of Amazing Grace comes to mind. "Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved, How precious did the Grace appear, The hour I first believed." When we come to understand that our sinful nature is enough to send us directly to hell, we understand we need help. This is what makes us come to the Throne of God, because God the Father gave us His Son to die on our behalf. This is the first part of second verse of Amazing Grace. The second part takes a while for some of us to understand. How can Grace teach your heart to fear, and then relieve your fear as well. When you understand that God forgives us, more than once, He is willing and able to forgive us whenever we ask for forgiveness. To understand this, we need to know that this forgiveness is not a license to sin like crazy. When you decide to be a part of the Kingdom of God, you start taking off the attributes of this world, and put on the attributes of God. It is process, that shows people that you are different. The parables we will be looking at in this section are as follows:
The Unjust Servant
Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little
The Prodigal Son
Forgiveness is at the center of why many of us became Christians in the first place. When I think of forgiveness, the second verse of Amazing Grace comes to mind. "Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved, How precious did the Grace appear, The hour I first believed." When we come to understand that our sinful nature is enough to send us directly to hell, we understand we need help. This is what makes us come to the Throne of God, because God the Father gave us His Son to die on our behalf. This is the first part of second verse of Amazing Grace. The second part takes a while for some of us to understand. How can Grace teach your heart to fear, and then relieve your fear as well. When you understand that God forgives us, more than once, He is willing and able to forgive us whenever we ask for forgiveness. To understand this, we need to know that this forgiveness is not a license to sin like crazy. When you decide to be a part of the Kingdom of God, you start taking off the attributes of this world, and put on the attributes of God. It is process, that shows people that you are different. The parables we will be looking at in this section are as follows:
The Unjust Servant
Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little
The Prodigal Son
564th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables Growing the Kingdom Con't. - Mark 4: 26 - 29 2nd Post.
Natural Growth Parable Mark 4: 26 - 29 Continued 2nd Post.
The parable continues to say that the seed grows and matures without the man's help. There are other forces at work here. God causes the rain to come to water the seed, and the sun to give it additional nutrients. So why would Jesus tell this parable, along with the "Sower","The Mustard Seed" and "Leaven". All these parables give you a view of what the kingdom of God is like. Not all of the parables Jesus told, talks about what we have to do gain it. In the Parable of Natural Growth, the seed seems to grow without very much intervention from us. So how do all these parables help us to understand the kingdom of God. In the parable of the "Sower", we learned that the condition of the soil was very important for growth. The soil is the condition of our heart. If our hearts are prepared to receive the seed (Word of God), the seed will grow and prosper. The Parable of the "Mustard Seed and the Leaven", we found that both good and evil would be part of the kingdom of God on earth. This is brought out in the Parable of "Natural Growth". Jesus was trying to show that somethings are involved that are beyond our ability to control.
The parable continues to say that the seed grows and matures without the man's help. There are other forces at work here. God causes the rain to come to water the seed, and the sun to give it additional nutrients. So why would Jesus tell this parable, along with the "Sower","The Mustard Seed" and "Leaven". All these parables give you a view of what the kingdom of God is like. Not all of the parables Jesus told, talks about what we have to do gain it. In the Parable of Natural Growth, the seed seems to grow without very much intervention from us. So how do all these parables help us to understand the kingdom of God. In the parable of the "Sower", we learned that the condition of the soil was very important for growth. The soil is the condition of our heart. If our hearts are prepared to receive the seed (Word of God), the seed will grow and prosper. The Parable of the "Mustard Seed and the Leaven", we found that both good and evil would be part of the kingdom of God on earth. This is brought out in the Parable of "Natural Growth". Jesus was trying to show that somethings are involved that are beyond our ability to control.
563rd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables About Growth in the Kingdom Con't. - Parable of Natural Growth - 1st Post - Mark 4: 26 - 29.
Mark 4: 26 - 29 Parable of Natural Growth 1st Post.
The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1- 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. All of these parables that start with the kingdom of God is..., were told by Jesus to try to give us a picture of the Kingdom of God. The book I am writing, will list all of these parables together. They were told by Jesus together, because each parable builds on the previous parable to better explain whatever Jesus was trying to explain, in this case it is the kingdom of God. All of these parables dealing with the kingdom of God, need to be looked at, together in order to understand what Jesus was trying to say. If you look at the parable written above, Jesus likens the kingdom of God, to a man who scatters seed on the ground. The seed grows, the man does not know how, he just knows that if he plants the seed it will grow. The man goes to sleep at night, and the seed grows on its own. I have run out of room for this post, we will continue next post.
The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1- 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. All of these parables that start with the kingdom of God is..., were told by Jesus to try to give us a picture of the Kingdom of God. The book I am writing, will list all of these parables together. They were told by Jesus together, because each parable builds on the previous parable to better explain whatever Jesus was trying to explain, in this case it is the kingdom of God. All of these parables dealing with the kingdom of God, need to be looked at, together in order to understand what Jesus was trying to say. If you look at the parable written above, Jesus likens the kingdom of God, to a man who scatters seed on the ground. The seed grows, the man does not know how, he just knows that if he plants the seed it will grow. The man goes to sleep at night, and the seed grows on its own. I have run out of room for this post, we will continue next post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)