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 | MATTHEW | MARK | LUKE | JOHN | RELATED PASSAGES |
The Parable Of The Wicked / Unforgiving Servant
| Matthew 18:23-35 | | | | |
PARABLE INTERPRETATIONS: THERE ARE 4 DIFFERING VIEWS | THE 1ST VIEW | THE 2ND VIEW | THE 3RD VIEW | THE 4TH VIEW | RELATED PASSAGES |
The Ten Thousand Talents (18:23-25)
| Sins Of A Man Not Yet Saved By Grace | Sins Of A Man Not Yet Saved By Grace | Sins Of A Man Not Yet Saved By Grace | Sins Of A Servant Of God Already Saved By Grace But Living In Sin | |
The Master's Forgiveness (18:26-27)
| Salvation Man's Sins Are Forgiven Now Saved By Grace | Salvation Man's Sins Are Forgiven Now Saved By Grace | Forgiveness Is Provided But Not Accepted Still Not Saved By Grace | Forgiveness Given To The Servant Upon Confession (1st John 1:6-10) | John 3:16 John 5:24 John 10:28-29 John 1:12-13 John 3:3 Ephesians 2:8-9 Ephesians 1:13 Ephesians 4:30 Titus 3:5 Romans 8:38-39 Philippians 1:6 1st John 1:6-10 |
The Wicked Servant's Unforgiveness (18:28-30)
| Post-Salvation Sin An Unforgiving Spirit | Post-Salvation Sin An Unforgiving Spirit | Evidence Of No Salvation An Unforgiving Spirit | Blatant Hypocrisy Cold & Heartless Unforgiving Spirit | |
The Master's Response (18:31-34)
| ? | Forgiveness Revoked Sentenced To Hell | Forgiveness Wasn't Accepted Sentenced To Hell | Fatherly Discipline | Matthew 18:17 1st Corinthians 5:5 1st Timothy 1:19-20 |
Jesus' Warning (18:35)
| ? | You'll Be Sentenced To Hell If You Aren't Forgiving | ? | You'll Be Disciplined If You Aren't Forgiving | |
Problems With This View
| Who Are The Torturers? What Of Jesus' Warning? | Promise Of Eternal Life Holy Spirit Is Sealed | He's Called A "Servant" Jesus Holds Us Accountable | ? | |