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In Don't Write Back, Sam Fleury teaches from Matthew 5:7 on what it means to be merciful. This message explores why we often want justice for others and mercy for ourselves, how grace and mercy are different, and how followers of Jesus are called to forgive, release revenge, and live with active compassion. (00:00) - Continuing The Beattitudes (00:43) - Matthew 5:7 and Mercy (00:58) - The Workout Class Story (03:25) - Justice for Others, Mercy for Ourselves (05:16) - Blessed Are the Merciful (05:41) - Mercy in a Controversial Context (07:03) - Jesus Disrupts Our Natural Tendencies (08:03) - Mercy Is Giving What You Received (10:08) - Receiving God's Grace and Mercy (13:23) - When Justice Becomes Revenge (15:31) - Turn the Other Cheek (16:25) - Blessed to Be a Blessing (19:22) - Mercy Is Giving What Is Not Deserved (24:17) - The Label Without the Character (27:04) - The Unforgiving Servant (33:05) - Mercy Is Giving What You Desire (34:47) - Active Compassion in Real Life (38:21) - If You Need It, Feed It (39:05) - God's Mercy Is Greater (40:07) - Jesus Shows Mercy on the Cross
Read OnlineAt the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36As Jesus went “to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness” (Matthew 9:35), He was moved with deep compassion for the crowds. The Greek verb splagchnizomai is often translated as “moved with pity” or “moved with compassion.” It appears twelve times in the Gospels—eight times describing Jesus' own compassion and four times illustrating divine mercy in parables or related contexts (the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the Unforgiving Servant, and the plea of a father for his demon-possessed son). This verb conveys not just an emotional response but a profound stirring of His entire being, compelling Him to act with divine mercy—engaging His mind, will, body, and emotions.Understanding this verb is essential because it unveils the very heart of Christ's mission, where His divine mercy is fully manifest in His humanity. Though His mercy originates in His divinity, He fully lived and expressed it in His human nature, allowing it to consume Him entirely and drive Him to shepherd His people.Jesus' all-consuming compassion should profoundly console us. God does not love us out of mere divine obligation; His love is deeply personal, intimate, and relentless. He is not distant or impersonal, aloof in His perfection. In Christ, God's mercy is made visible—His human heart is stirred to action, doing everything He can to draw us closer to Himself. This is why His compassion is such a source of reassurance: He is not a distant or angry God, standing far off to condemn. Rather, He is the God who, in Christ, allows Himself to be consumed with mercy, driven by compassion, and moved to act for the salvation of each one of us.That same profound mercy continues to flow from the Sacred Heart today. In Heaven, Christ's human heart remains inseparably united to His divinity, pouring forth the love of the Father and the Holy Spirit upon the world. His compassion is made present to us through His Church, especially in the Sacraments and in the lives of saintly men and women. This same compassion must become the driving force behind all we do for the Kingdom. We are called to be His living instruments of mercy, reflecting His Sacred Heart in our actions, words, and love for others—so that each of us might be reassured of God's unfailing love.We see in today's Gospel that Jesus' compassion moved Him to send out twelve of His disciples as His Apostles, entrusting them with His divine authority to proclaim the Kingdom of God, cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons. They were to be His chosen instruments of mercy, reaching out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel—those in dire need of God's truth and healing grace.Today, Jesus sends each of us forth in a unique way to be a beacon of light and mercy to others. He first calls us to love those closest to us—our family and friends—not in an ordinary way, but in a radical self-giving that mirrors His own love. We must allow our whole beings to be moved with divine compassion for them, reassuring them of both our love and God's love. But our mission cannot end there. After loving our families, we must extend that same compassion to all whom God places in our lives, offering the same depth of mercy that filled Jesus' Sacred Heart long ago.Reflect today on Jesus' divine compassion from two perspectives. First, gaze at His overflowing love for you. There is no way to overestimate that love. Second, allow that love to transform you so that His mercy flows through you into the lives of others. Do not hold back the love of God—let it pour forth freely and abundantly. Let His divine compassion move your entire being so that you become a true instrument of His mercy, drawing souls to Him through the power of love and all-consuming compassion. Most loving Lord, when You gazed upon the people of Israel's troubles and abandonment, Your Sacred Heart was stirred with deep compassion. Pour forth that same compassion upon me, O Lord, and make me an instrument of Your mercy in the lives of others. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: The mosiac of Sermon on the mount in churchSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
In Matthew 18, Jesus reveals what the Kingdom of Heaven is like: a King overflowing with mercy who forgives an impossible debt, and a people transformed by that mercy. Those who truly understand the magnitude of God's forgiveness walk in humility, repentance, and forgiveness toward others. Unforgiveness, pride, and bitterness keep us bound, but those who receive grace and extend it to others live in the freedom of the Kingdom. This message explores the parable of the unforgiving servant, the humility of biblical heroes like Joseph, David, Mary, and John the Baptist, and the call for every believer to receive God's mercy and release others from their debts. The evidence of having experienced God's mercy is showing mercy to others.
Rob Whitehouse continues our series on Parables looking at the Unforgiving Servant from Matthew 18:21-35
Lesson Series Today: Parables of JesusLesson Title: Parable of the Unforgiving ServantLesson Preached by: Luke BladesLesson 3 of 5 Today, Sunday, May 31, 2026
Sermon By: Pastor Roman Folia (The Gospel of Matthew pt. 62)
What does it really mean to forgive—especially when someone never apologizes? In this powerful episode of the North Raleigh United Methodist Church “Behind the Scenes” Podcast, Pastor Laura Johnson and host Kevin Van Hall dive deep into one of the hardest questions of the Christian faith: How do I forgive someone who has truly hurt me?Exploring Jesus' teachings in Matthew 18 (the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant) and Luke 23 (Jesus' words on the cross: “Father, forgive them”), this conversation unpacks the tension between forgiveness, justice, accountability, and healing. Together, they tackle real-life questions about resentment, toxic relationships, unanswered apologies, and what forgiveness looks like in everyday life.If you've ever struggled with letting go of anger, reconciling faith with real pain, or understanding what the Bible says about forgiveness, this episode offers honest insights, practical wisdom, and a grace-filled perspective.✨ In this episode, you'll discover: What Jesus really meant by “forgive 77 times” Whether forgiveness requires an apology The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation How to forgive someone who doesn't think they did anything wrong Why forgiveness is essential for your own spiritual and emotional health How Jesus modeled radical forgiveness—even on the cross This episode is part of the “I Love You, But…” sermon series, tackling tough conversations in Christian life, relationships, and belief.
Do you see the necessity of humility in your prayerful private pursuit of a brother or sister who has sinned against you applied here? Do you see your need for you to have the heart of the King in your encounter with them? For indeed, as much as it's right for you to go to the brother and talk to him about his sin, it's just as important that you do so with kindness and compassion, freely forgiving them when they hear you and repent.
God's great offer to mankind.The great message of the cross is forgiveness. And through forgiveness, peace. In this strife-torn, bitter, hatred-filled world of ours today, the cross makes peace in both directions: from man to God and from man to his fellow man.Support the show
Parable of Unforgiving Servant
How will God deal with us if we are unable to forgive each other? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Deep Questions The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
What does a parable from Matthew 18 teach us about the importance of forgiveness? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Deep Questions The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Continuing the Lenten series The Scandal of the Kindom, this episode explores Jesus' Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. The conversation digs into the staggering scale of God's grace, the challenge of extending forgiveness to others, and why radical mercy can feel so counterintuitive in our world.
Reformed Brotherhood | Sound Doctrine, Systematic Theology, and Brotherly Love
Upside Down Kingdom | The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant by Napoleon Church of the Nazarene
A sermon from our series The Kingdom of Heaven is Like... - Jesus' parables in Matthew's gospel. Date: 18 January 2026 Speaker: Evan McFarlane Matthew 18:21-35 www.stmatthews.com.au/unichurch
Series - The Parables of Jesus: Stories That Shape the Kingdom Heart - Pastor Russ Atter
We must forgive each other because God forgave us. Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness and the response he receives is that it is a lifestyle for the believer. Then the parable of the Unforgiving Servant teaches us that God is gracious to forgive our debts so that we can always forgive each other. FORGIVENESS DEFINED FORGIVENESS SHOWN FORGIVENESS EXPECTED
Parable Of Unforgiving Servant
The Unforgiving Servant
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant - Matthew 18:21-35, Rev. Paul Jang by CGS Media
The Parable of the Lost Sheep reveals the Father's passionate heart to pursue even one straying believer. This love and grace motivate Jesus' command on how to "gain your brother" when sin divides. When Peter asks about the limits of this forgiveness, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant provides a stark contrast: God's infinite debt-canceling grace, in light of Christ's atonement, versus the petty and calculating unforgiveness of man. The Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI and Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 18:(11), 12-35. To learn more about Our Savior and Agnus Dei, visit facebook.com/oursaviorunioncity and agnusdeimarshall.com. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
In Matthew 18:21–35, Jesus tells a parable that exposes the danger of harboring unforgiveness. In the story, a servant is forgiven for his great debt by a king, but then refuses to forgive others who owe him a great debt as well. Jesus uses this parable to show that unforgiveness is poison to our souls. It hardens our hearts against others, turns wounds into bitterness, and bitterness into bondage. But forgiveness is freedom.Jesus invites us to forgive not merely for our hearts, but from our hearts and ultimately to our hearts—receiving His forgiveness so deeply that it transforms the way we see and treat others.
In Matthew 18:21–35, Jesus tells a parable that exposes the danger of harboring unforgiveness. In the story, a servant is forgiven for his great debt by a king, but then refuses to forgive others who owe him a great debt as well. Jesus uses this parable to show that unforgiveness is poison to our souls. It hardens our hearts against others, turns wounds into bitterness, and bitterness into bondage. But forgiveness is freedom.Jesus invites us to forgive not merely for our hearts, but from our hearts and ultimately to our hearts—receiving His forgiveness so deeply that it transforms the way we see and treat others.
A sermon from Matthew 18:21-35
Around The Table - The Unforgiving Servant John Gauntt
Does God expect us to forgive? --- Jesus told stories to help anyone willing to listen better understand life in the Kingdom of God. These stories meet us where we are and take us to deeper places in our faith. Join us as we listen to Jesus' stories and ask Him to help us grow. Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49493364 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
Stories have a way of sticking with us. As a master teacher and storyteller, Jesus didn't just spin tales, He told parables: short, simple stories that invited listeners into deeper truth.This summer, we're diving into the parables of Jesus. Stories about seeds and soil, lost coins and prodigal sons, hidden treasures and unexpected guests. These are more than just ancient tales; they are windows into the heart of God and mirrors that help us reflect his image and love more clearly.Sermon by Kasey Sanchez
Week 8 | The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant with Pastor Josef Massanari August 31, 2025 Visit us online https://www.cornerstonelv.com https://www.facebook.com/lvcornerstone https://www.instagram.com/cornerstone_lv/
We continue in our Back to School series with the parable of the unforgiving servant. You will hear a vivid story about mercy, cruelty, and justice. Todd and Matt discuss the mandate and the motivation to forgive in today's episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pastor Sean discusses the importance of community, shares personal stories, and tackles challenging family dynamics, including forgiveness and restoration. Tune in for practical insights, heartfelt reflections, and an invitation to experience real life in Christ.00:00 Introduction: Discovering Real Life00:18 Invitation to River City Community Church01:06 Reaching for Real Life: Air Guitar and Drums01:36 Celebrating 38 Years of Marriage02:34 Pastor's Masters Golf Tournament03:46 Remembering John MacArthur and James Dobson05:55 Family Matters: Honoring and Forgiving13:26 Understanding Forgiveness and Releasing Debt14:30 The Power of Redemption and Forgiveness14:45 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant15:23 Self-Righteousness and Unforgiveness16:21 The Role of Social Media in Seeking Validation17:34 Seeking Godly Counsel and Restoration19:11 Family Dynamics and Christian Community21:46 Praying for Reconciliation and Letting Go23:41 River City Community Church Services and Invitation
Pastor Sean discusses the importance of community, shares personal stories, and tackles challenging family dynamics, including forgiveness and restoration. Tune in for practical insights, heartfelt reflections, and an invitation to experience real life in Christ.00:00 Introduction: Discovering Real Life00:18 Invitation to River City Community Church01:06 Reaching for Real Life: Air Guitar and Drums01:36 Celebrating 38 Years of Marriage02:34 Pastor's Masters Golf Tournament03:46 Remembering John MacArthur and James Dobson05:55 Family Matters: Honoring and Forgiving13:26 Understanding Forgiveness and Releasing Debt14:30 The Power of Redemption and Forgiveness14:45 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant15:23 Self-Righteousness and Unforgiveness16:21 The Role of Social Media in Seeking Validation17:34 Seeking Godly Counsel and Restoration19:11 Family Dynamics and Christian Community21:46 Praying for Reconciliation and Letting Go23:41 River City Community Church Services and Invitation
Forgiveness. It's one of the core teachings of Jesus, and yet one of the hardest commands to obey. When someone wounds us deeply—whether it's a single life-shaping event or years of accumulated hurt—forgiving feels impossible. In fact, it feels doubly cruel as we must process the attack of our offender and the guilt of withholding forgiveness.Yet the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant teaches us that forgiveness is not designed to punish us but to free and empower us. It is not a path towards great oppression but deeper joy. Join us this Sunday as we explore how forgiveness transforms us into forgivers.
Read OnlinePeter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21–22Saint John Chrysostom, in commenting upon this passage, explains that “seventy-seven times” was a way of saying “always.” In other words, Jesus was not giving a specific number to the times we must forgive, He was saying that forgiveness must be offered forever and always, without limit. This is the depth of forgiveness offered to us.This passage also shows the contrast between the human tendency towards forgiveness and God's. Peter, no doubt, must have thought that he was being generous by asking if he should forgive his brother as many as seven times. Perhaps he thought Jesus would be impressed by this apparently generous suggestion. But the infinite mercy of God can never be outdone. There is simply no limit to the mercy of God, and, therefore, there must be no limit to the mercy we offer others.What is your personal practice when it comes to seeking the forgiveness of God in your life? And what is your practice in regard to offering forgiveness to another? This line quoted above introduces the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. In that parable, the servant owed his king a “huge amount.” In mercy, the king forgave the debt just as God is willing to forgive us no matter what. But forgiveness does have one price. The price is that we must also forgive others to the same extent. Thus, when the servant who was forgiven a huge amount later sees one of his servants who owed him a much smaller amount, he demands the debt be paid in full. The result is that the king hears of this and withdraws his mercy, requiring the servant to pay him back in full.This tells us that forgiveness is not an option unless we are perfect and owe no debt to God. Of course, if anyone thinks that, then they are not living in reality. As we read in the letter to the Romans, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As a result, it is essential that we offer forgiveness always and everywhere, without condition, without limit and without hesitation. How easily do you do this? How fully do you forgive?One of the hardest persons to forgive is the one who has no sorrow for their sin. When this happens, it is easy to justify our condemnation of them. One thing that might be helpful to reflect upon if you are currently withholding forgiveness from another and remain angry, bitter or hurt, is that your lack of forgiveness does more damage to your own soul than to theirs. By refusing to forgive, you do immeasurable damage to your soul and to your relationship with God. Remaining angry and hurt only leads to more anger and hurt. It leads to vengeful thinking and even acting. And that is a sin for which you will be held accountable. Reflect, today, upon the infinite depth of mercy and forgiveness you are called to offer to each and every person who has or will hurt you. To forgive is certainly not to excuse. On the contrary, the act of forgiveness acknowledges the sin. But mercy must be offered no matter what. Always, everywhere, unending and without any conditions, it must be offered. If this is difficult to do, do it anyway and do not stop. Doing so will not only help the sinner, it will also open the gates of mercy from God in your life. My forgiving Lord, Your mercy is infinite and unfathomable. You desire to forgive every sin in my life and to restore me completely to a life of perfect union with You. I accept this gift of forgiveness in my life, dear Lord, and I freely choose to offer this same depth of mercy to everyone who ever has or ever will sin against me. I forgive as completely as I can. Please help me to imitate Your unending mercy. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: Jesus entrusts his flock to St Peter by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
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Jonathan Kerhoulas. Matthew 18:21-35
Since forgiveness lies at the heart of the gospel, Christians of all people should be known as forgiving people. Today, R.C. Sproul discerns the nature of forgiveness in Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant. Get R.C. Sproul's teaching series The Parables of Jesus on DVD, lifetime digital access to the messages and study guide, and his booklet What Do Jesus' Parables Mean?, all for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/3912/donate Learn more about becoming a Ligonier Ministry Partner: https://renewingyourmind.org/partner Meet Today's Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was known for his ability to winsomely and clearly communicate deep, practical truths from God's Word. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts