Audio - The Ungrateful Servant

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The 22st Sunday in Trinity
The Ungrateful Servant
November 8, 2009

TEXT: NKJ Matthew 18:23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 "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. 26 "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27 "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 "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!' 29 "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 30 "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 "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. 32 "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
Jesus spoke in parables to explain who He is to the believers—and to impose a form of “judgment” upon those who “choose to refuse” to accept the teachings and direction of the Holy Spirit—the Holy Spirit is poured out upon all men—some of us listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit within us—some of us reject the message and follow the things of this world—this situation existed then and still exists today
 
NKJ Joel 2:28 " And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
 
Consider the parable of our text—the servant was within “the law”—he had a right to what he was owed—but we must understand that there are 2 kingdoms—the kingdom of this world—where no sins are forgiven—no Gospel is found—where governments maintain peace—and governments administer punishment for wrongdoing
 
Kingdom of God—a kingdom in which there is nothing but forgiveness of sins—this lesson is about the kingdom of God—how do we know?—let Scripture answer Scripture—John the Baptist ties the kingdom to Jesus the Christ
 
NKJ Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' "
 
In the parable of the text the Lord forgives his servant—and demands that the servant forgive others—we must never be so angry at our neighbor that we cannot forgive him—even if they offend us continuously—this parable is an extension to the lesson of forgiveness Jesus taught Peter about forgiveness
 
NKJ Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
 
The lesson: as long as we forgive—we have grace—when we refuse to forgive—our own forgiveness slips out of our grasp—forgive your neighbor—and God forgives you
 
The first part of the lesson—when the king demands payment from the servant—is our judgment day—when our King—Jesus—will demand judgment for our sins—the servant had no chance of paying the debt—and we have no chance of paying the debt of our sins—the price is beyond our reach
If ever a man should have been grateful for the forgiveness of a debt—the man in the parable should have been extremely grateful—the amount owed by the ungrateful servant would be equivalent to over 12 million dollars (according to the commentator, Lenski)—the second servant owed about 17 dollars—to be forgiven such a large debt, and to not be able to forgive such a small debt gives us perspective into the parable
 
Jesus paid our debt for our salvation—a debt that is just as impossible for us to understand as the forgiving of a 12 million dollar debt
 
NKJ Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
 
When the Law is preached—we see what we owe—more than we can pay
 
God is telling us—“put your trust totally in Me”—“love only Me”—“let Me be your only source of hope”—God demands our total obedience—He knows we cannot maintain perfect obedience—He has mercy upon us—He sent His only Son as the Ultimate Sacrifice for our redemption—Peter tells us of this in his first letter
 
NKJ 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.


 
 
In the parable of our text the Lord demands that the servant be sold—because he cannot pay—the Law reveals that we all deserve to perish—because we also cannot do what our Lord demands—what did the servant do?—he tried to pay the enormous debt—but it couldn’t be done!—what do we do?—we try to “do enough” to pay for our sins—contribute to charities and to the church—attend church—perform good works for our neighbors—but none of these things will pay the price demanded—perfection of obedience!
 
The servant in the parable fell before the king and begged for mercy—as Christians the Law brings us to this true state of humility—the king in the parable had mercy—God brings us the Gospel—He knows we cannot pay the debt—He forgives it all!—not because of our works—not because we deserve it—He desires to have compassion on us—God loves our humble hearts
 
True humility before God leads to the Gospel—which leads to heaven—the king in this lesson forgave the debt and the punishment—God forgives our sins and gives us heaven—it is by grace we are saved!
 
In this world when you break the law you must pay the price—in God’s kingdom your debts are forgiven—those who teach salvation by works do not preach or understand the Gospel—nor the saving grace of God
 
NKJ Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
 
This is a continuation of Paul’s thoughts in an earlier chapter
 
NKJ Romans 4:4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
 
Some teach that by our freewill we are saved—that is contrary to this Gospel lesson—this man had nothing to offer his king—forgiveness was a total gift—we have nothing to offer God—except our humble hearts—our love—and our obedience—and we are His by grace alone
 
Now let’s return to our lesson and the servant—the first servant was forgiven his debt—kept his possessions—kept his family—what more could he ask?—He has such a gracious lord—we are like that servant—we have a gracious God—it would be blasphemous for us to seek God’s favor by doing works—it is ours by His mercy and grace
Looking further at Scripture; God always warns man of pending affliction—Moses warned the Pharaoh—Noah and the ark—Lot in Sodom and Gomorra—those who hear the Gospel and fail to heed it and obey are also subject to punishment—this Gospel is a comfort to those Christians who live forgiving lives—it is a terror to those who harden their hearts and refuse to forgive.
 
Love God—Love your neighbor—Forgive sins—Be forgiven!—this is the Gospel!—listen to these closing words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
 
NKJ Luke 6:37 " Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
 
ALL GLORY BE TO GOD!