After Jesus spent a good amount of time discussing forgiveness and reconciliation, he gave a controversial parable that's become known as the parable of the unforgiving servant. What makes it controversial is that it's been given 4 different interpretations by many who hold onto their interpretations with heated passion. One view is almost passive, the other is too aggressive, and another is correct in what it asserts but incorrect in what it denies. The parable is about an unforgiving servant, who demanded payment for a debt owed to him right after he had been forgiven an even bigger debt by his own master. When the master found out, he sent him to the "tormentors until he paid all that was due". Basically folks, this parable promotes that Christians should be forgiving toward each other, but with a scary and ambiguous threat hanging at the end. It's that threat that's become the focus of all the heated debate. It almost sounds like it's saying Christians can lose their salvation if they aren't forgiving. Is that what that really means? In this session we'll cover all 4 interpretations and let you decide.
41 Minutes
October 31, 2012
| SESSION NOTES |
I. The 1st Interpretation.
A. The Ten Thousand Talents (Matthew 18:23-25) = The Sins Of A Man Not Yet Saved By Grace.
B. The Master's Forgiveness (Matthew 18:26-27) = Salvation; Man's Sins Are Forgiven; He Is Now Saved By Grace.
C. The Wicked Servant's Unforgiveness (Matthew 18:28-30) = Post-Salvation Sin; An Unforgiving Spirit.
D. The Master's Response (Matthew 18:31-34) = ?
E. Jesus' Warning (Matthew 18:35) = ?
F. Problems With This Interpretation = Who Are The Torturers? What About Jesus' Warning?
II. The 2nd Interpretation.
A. The Ten Thousand Talents (Matthew 18:23-25) = The Sins Of A Man Not Yet Saved By Grace.
B. The Master's Forgiveness (Matthew 18:26-27) = Salvation; Man's Sins Are Forgiven; He Is Now Saved By Grace.
C. The Wicked Servant's Unforgiveness (Matthew 18:28-30) = Post-Salvation Sin; An Unforgiving Spirit.
D. The Master's Response (Matthew 18:31-34) = Forgiveness Is Revoked; The Man Is Sentenced To Hell.
E. Jesus' Warning (Matthew 18:35) = You'll Be Sentenced To Hell Too If You Aren't Forgiving.
F. Problems With This Interpretation = The Promise Of Eternal Life Is Irrevocable; The Holy Spirit Is Permanently Sealed.
1. John 3:16
2. John 5:24
3. John 10:28-29
4. John 1:12-13
5. John 3:3
6. Ephesians 2:8-9
7. Ephesians 1:13
8. Ephesians 4:30
9. Titus 3:5
10. Romans 8:38-39
11. Philippians 1:6
III. The 3rd Interpretation.
A. The Ten Thousand Talents (Matthew 18:23-25) = The Sins Of A Man Not Yet Saved By Grace.
B. The Master's Forgiveness (Matthew 18:26-27) = Forgiveness That Is Provided But Not Accepted; The Man Is Still Not Saved By Grace.
C. The Wicked Servant's Unforgiveness (Matthew 18:28-30) = Evidence Of No Salvation; An Unforgiving Spirit.
D. The Master's Response (Matthew 18:31-34) = Since Forgiveness Was Never Accepted; The Man Is Sentenced To Hell.
E. Jesus' Warning (Matthew 18:35) = ?
F. Problems With This Interpretation = The Man Is Called A "Servant" Which Implies He's Saved & Jesus Holds Us (Who Are Saved) Accountable In His Warning.
IV. The 4th Interpretation.
A. The Ten Thousand Talents (Matthew 18:23-25) = The Sins Of A Servant Of God Already Saved By Grace But Living In Sin.
B. The Master's Forgiveness (Matthew 18:26-27) = Forgiveness Given To The Servant Upon His Confession & Repentance: 1st John 1:6-10.
C. The Wicked Servant's Unforgiveness (Matthew 18:28-30) = Blatant Hypocrisy: A Wicked, Cold & Heartless Unforgiving Spirit.
D. The Master's Response (Matthew 18:31-34) = Godly & Fatherly Discipline After The Prayerful Intervention Of Fellow-Servants.
1. Matthew 18:17
2. 1st Corinthians 5:5
3. 1st Timothy 1:19-20
E. Jesus' Warning (Matthew 18:35) = You'll Be Disciplined
Too If You Aren't Forgiving.
F. Problems With This Interpretation = ?
QUOTES & REFERENCES TO THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
ARE FROM THE PRE-2012 CLASSIC EDITION.
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