Moreover, this episode introduces listeners to ‘Living Water’ by Chuck Smith, a down-to-earth exploration of the Holy Spirit’s power to transform lives. Touching on rich spiritual truths, the discussion highlights how embracing the Holy Spirit can lead to revolutionary changes in one’s spiritual walk, offering real answers and practical guidance for living a life aligned with God’s will. Join us as we seek to ignite our faith and offer hope to the world through the practice of authentic love and forgiveness.
Jesus says, forgive one another as your Father in Heaven has forgiven you. We have to. See, I don’t like that person. He didn’t ask you to like him. He asked you to love him.
SPEAKER 03 :
This is Real Life. Welcome to Real Life Radio with Pastor Jack Hibbs. I’m David Jay, thanking you for joining us today as we listen, learn, and are challenged by God’s Word, the Bible. Do you ever find yourself longing for a deeper spiritual walk? For many believers, the Holy Spirit is just a mysterious idea we hear about on Sundays but rarely live out on Mondays. What if his presence could transform your daily life, fueling you with hope and power and unstoppable joy? What if his guidance could help you navigate through decisions, strengthen relationships, and bring genuine peace to your soul? This month, Pastor Jack Hibbs is featuring Living Water by Chuck Smith. It’s a down-to-earth look at the Holy Spirit who can revolutionize the way you connect with God. Inside, you’ll uncover practical biblical insights to help you walk and step with the Spirit right where you are. No hype, no cliches, just real answers for everyday challenges.
SPEAKER 02 :
This book changed my life. Authored by my pastor, Chuck Smith, the book Living Water, incredible.
SPEAKER 03 :
Living Water is available for a gift of any amount at jackhibbs.com slash real radio. That’s jackhibbs.com slash real radio. On today’s edition of Real Life Radio, Pastor Jack now continues his series called The Parables of Jesus and a message titled Parable of the Unmerciful Servant Part 3. Whenever Jesus spoke to the crowds, he often spoke in parables, right? Now, these are relatable stories illustrated to us in full color, but with common themes. You see, we saw in part one what it means to forgive and to be forgiven. In part two, Jesus tells us to be compassionate toward our fellow Christians just as he is compassionate to us. Now, this takes patience and understanding, and we need to try to treat one another with respect. Here now in part three, we are called to be holy just as Jesus is holy. So, in today’s message, Pastor Jack teaches that the parable of the unmerciful servant is not about eternal life or hell. It’s about being merciful as God is merciful. It’s a simple but powerful message about how Christians need to get along. Now, with his message called Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, Part 3, here’s pastor and Bible teacher, Jack Hibbs.
SPEAKER 02 :
Listen, this is tough for us theologically, but it is so, so true. You and I, are positionally perfect before God. That’s what the book of Romans is all about. Did you know that? Positionally before God perfect. We’ve been declared saints. Isn’t that weird? You know what? So here’s the challenge. We’re supposed to live like it right now. We need to remember that. Have you noticed that you and I, we have the power. We have power. Every one of us have power to create people. And I’m not talking about making babies. I’m talking about destroying babies or encouraging babies. What I mean by that is how we speak to people. We can tell a child, you’re stupid. You’re nothing but a, you’re nuts. You know what? You’re a weirdo. Guess what that kid’s gonna grow up to think about him or herself. They’ll be exactly that. If we tell somebody, you can do it. You know what? That’s fantastic. Come on, let’s try again. Persevere. Let me show you how you can do this. I know you. You know what? They will just absolutely say, Get excited about that. And get excited about life. Husbands and wives, you can always tell husbands and wives on how it is, just look at the husband or the wife. They reflect one another like the sun and the moon. Hey, how’s things going? He goes, great! And she’s like this. The only person who thinks that’s great is the guy who thinks that’s great. We have to be very careful. Positionally, isn’t it amazing? If you have a husband or a wife that’s a Christian, did you know that before the throne of God, God sees that husband or that wife holy? Wow. Well, if God knew what he, she, I understand that. Please don’t misunderstand me now. I’m not talking about pretend Christian. At the right time of the day, Satan is a Christian. I’m not talking about people who say they’re Christians. I don’t care what people say, but if somebody came up to me and said, I’m a Satan-worshiping pagan, I’d say, all right, nice to meet you. How’s it going? It’s true. What do I expect from this person? You said it, nothing. Why? Because they’re a Satan-worshiping pagan person. I don’t expect anything from them except Satan-worshiping pagan stuff. Right? The moment someone says, hi, I’m a Christian, it’s like, oh man, this guy just declared the name. Does he know the name? What’s he know? Let’s see. Isn’t that funny? If I’m a pagan worshiping heathen, you’re going to know in five minutes. But then someone says they’re a Christian, and now I’ve got to watch them for three months. What are you doing? That guy said he’s a Christian over there. Watch him. You know this is true, you know. Pastor, that’s so unloving. It’s what we’re supposed to do. Big deal, this is a big deal. Listen, you’ve been forgiven. It’s gonna be manifested in your life. It’s gonna come out. Habakkuk chapter two, verse four says, the just shall live by faith. Man, that’s Old Testament. That sounds like New Testament text. Theology, isn’t it? It’s because the same author of the book wrote both, old and new. Same guy. Same author. The just shall live by faith. Sounds like Paul wrote that, huh? It’s the same Holy Spirit. Habakkuk 2.4. But how does this happen? How are we declared, how are we just? Romans 5.8 begins, this is powerful, but God demonstrates his own love toward us How? In that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more than having now been justified by his blood. You see how? There’s the how. How am I justified? By his blood. Church, say it. By his blood. By his blood and my, nope. By his blood and, nope. By his blood. Wow. By his blood. We shall be saved from wrath through him. Hallelujah. Romans 8.1. Now, this is the power behind Romans 8.1. There is therefore now no condemnation, no judgment coming. God’s not scowling. He’s not sharpening his blade to those who are in Christ Jesus. Wow. Why? Because you have come to Christ by faith, you’ve repented of your sin, you agree with God. This is sin. And God imparts to you the righteousness of Christ positionally. Do you and I still struggle with sin right here, right now? Yes, but positionally, your name is written down in heaven in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Positionally. And God looks at you right now through Jesus Christ. It’s awesome. Now, someone’s gonna say, well, Pastor, you tell people that too much and they’re gonna get too excited and then they’re gonna go out sinning. That’s impossible. It’s impossible for the real Christian to hear it that way. This parable to the Christian or to the person God is touching tonight makes perfect sense. A real Christian says, I’m not gonna go do that thing and sin against my God. Do Christians trip up? Yes, they trip up, but they get right back up. And they say, you know what? Get that off of me. Get it off of me. The next thing is this, the final thing, is be like Jesus and be merciful. Mercy. Verse 35 says, so my heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you from his heart does not forgive his brother his trespass. You hear the mandate in that? So what is it that Jesus is saying I’m in trouble about? Here’s what it is, mark it everybody, this is huge, this is huge. Jesus is saying this, you’re my child, I’ll just make this up. Fred and Barney are going at it and they’ve been arguing. And so Fred asks Barney to forgive him, Barney won’t do it, Fred goes and asks a godly friend to go and they wind up, Barney won’t listen. Fred goes and gets Wilma and Betty and even Dino and they go on over and Barney will not still listen. So then they’ll go and get others and they won’t listen. Barney won’t listen. Jesus says right here, okay, Barney, let me tell you something right now. Your father in heaven, you’re his son. Just like Fred is your brother and a son of the father also. But because you will not obey, And you will not issue. Every human has the sovereignty to issue forgiveness to their own heart. I’m not talking about forgiving themselves. I’m talking about you have the power and the mandate given to you by God to forgive the person who’s hurt you. That’s your power to set you free and to set them at ease, at peace. And you won’t do that. You will not make up. So you know what? Jesus is saying this. That’s why I stressed it in the beginning. This is written to believers. This is what God is saying. Like Isaiah 59, verses one and two. God’s hand is not short that he cannot save you. Neither is his ear deaf that he cannot hear you. But your sins have separated you from your God so that he will not rescue you and he will not hear you. You’re still a child of his? But God just goes like this, listen, and I’m bringing this out because this is where A great bulk of Christians live every day of their lives because of unrepented, unforgiveness in their lives. This is what happens. They say, I’m not going to forgive that person for thinking that they are doing the right thing because it feels somehow justifiable. They rip me off. Of course they ripped you off. It’s justifiable hurt. Of course it is. But nowhere is that an out. Has Jesus forgiven you? Watch. Watch. Watch me. Are you watching? I’m Barney right now. I’m loaded up with sin. I’m Barney. I’m a Christian. I’m going to heaven. But I hate Fred. And here’s the deal. Jesus speaks to me and says, Barney, you’re going to heaven. I know. I know. I forgave you so much, thank you, it’s great, believe me, I do appreciate it. So why don’t you forgive Fred? Never! So watch this, Jesus will say that a few more times in your life by the Holy Spirit, he’ll say it to you. And then, listen, he winds up, without you even realizing it, sending you to your room, and he shuts the door. You’re still his child, you still live in the house of God, We’re still related. You’re going to heaven, but you’re in a sarcophagus. That’s where you’re at. You know what that word means, sarcophagus? Flesh eater. The word means flesh eater. Sarcophagus, flesh eater. You, in your unforgiveness, you’re rotting away, and you’re bitter, and you’re angry, and you have stomach problems now from it, and every time you hear, even if you hear somebody say, you know, Fred Meyer, you freak out. Fred, ah, Fred, ah. Somebody’s dog is named Fred. Fred, it’s consuming you. And Jesus says, just know this. This is the last time I’m speaking to you. I’ll see you in heaven. And tragically, you’re gonna suffer a huge loss in life. All your life’s experience you’ll miss that I had planned for you. And it’s too bad, they’re in the room down the hall, but you won’t go down there. And so I’ll see you in heaven, but your life’s gonna be miserable and I’m not speaking to you anymore. And God stopped speaking. And you know what’s tragic about Christians today? They’re living their life, God hasn’t spoken to them in years. And they’re still on cruise control. And they think they’re okay because they have settled for such a absolute debased version of Christianity that it is pathetic. There’s no vitamins, there’s no nutrients, there’s no sky, there’s no sunshine, there’s no life, there’s no vitality. They are absolute zombies in the kingdom of God. They’re going to heaven. That’s why Jesus said, your father’s not gonna forgive you either. It has nothing to do with your sins being forgiven regarding the salvation. It has to do with communication sins. 1 John 1.9 says, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, right? Who’s that written to? Christians. John was writing to Christians in 1 John. What’s he saying? Get along. For Jesus’ sake, get along. But go to your room. No, really. You don’t know, go to your room. Why? Because God’s not talking to you. And you want to lead a ministry? God’s not talking to you. You want to pray? He’s not hearing you. I’m a Christian. He’s not listening. Didn’t Jesus say, if you’ve got something against your brother and it’s not amended, then you come to the altar, stop right there. Go settle it with your brother and then come back. I’m not listening. I’m not listening.
SPEAKER 03 :
You’re listening to Real Life with Pastor Jack Hibbs. You know, to hear more episodes and maybe catch up in the series, just go to jackhibbs.com. That’s jackhibbs.com. And for now, let’s get back to our teaching. Once again, here’s Pastor Jack.
SPEAKER 02 :
Christians, harboring bitterness, unforgiveness, God has not been hearing your prayers. You show me a verse in the Bible that where God is hearing your prayers, and I’ll lead this sermon. This is the scourge of the church today. Imagine if we repented of the sin in our own hearts and minds that are shrines like fortresses now. Imagine if those things came down. Imagine what God could do through the body of Christ. We need to be merciful. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mounts, Matthew 5, 7, blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Do you want God to be merciful to you? Yes. Yeah, me too. You and I, we all have the same feelings. Well, this person hurt me. And just think, we could all get together. We could like, okay, time out. Christian time out. What does that mean? We’ll just leave our Christianity here for a second. Let’s get together. How are we going to get back at this person? I know, we’ll string them up by their thumbs. And then we’ll do this. Okay, now back into our Christianity. And we walk around like this. Hi, brother. Praise the Lord. Huh? And Jesus says, you know, I love you so much. I forgave you. You’re gonna go to heaven. But man, are you messing yourself up? And because of that, you gotta stay in your room. I’m not gonna hear you anymore. Isn’t that amazing? Years ago, Dr. J. Edward Orr was speaking at Calvary Chapel, and he was talking about the doctrines of repentance, the doctrines of forgiveness, and it was really awesome because he talked about his little son David, and he said, you know, one of the greatest pictures I’ve seen regarding repentance the church and what it needs to do and get away from this unforgiveness and bitterness of heart. He said, my son at five years of age was really being mean to his sister. And mom came in the room and settled the score, but little David thought she was a little bit too much for the sister in the settlement of it all. And he mouthed off to his mom, And mom said, David, you go to your room. I’ll be there soon to deal with you. But you go to your room, and when I’m ready to come, which is a very wise parental thing to do, she said, when I’m ready, I’ll come to you, which is very cool. Because, you know, a little kid can take you off, and it’s like, you little creep, I’m going to. But no, send them to their room, and you get control of yourself. And you pray, and what any parent would love to do is, Lord, break his little spirit, his will, not his spirit, break his will before I even have to get in there. That’s a nice thing. Because by the time you get into the room, they’re already crying, they’re weeping, you know, they got flowers for you. They’re repenting. And that’s sweet because the very act of discipline is to get them to that point. And it’s beautiful if a child responds to that and says, I’m so wrong. I should have never, you know, cut her hair off and, you know, whatever. So she hears the door open and he comes down the hallway. And he says, Mama, and she goes, I told you to go to your room. We’re not talking here. And he said, I know, Mama, but I just remembered. I need to tell you what I want for Christmas. Can you believe it? And she said, get to your room. We are not on talking terms. Get to your room. And you know, Dr. J. Edmond Orr said, that’s exactly how the church is today. Dear God, I want to tell you what I want. And God is saying, I’m not talking to you. You’ve got so much sin in your heart. go to your room. Yeah, but I understand that, but this is what I want for Christmas. Or I want, this happened in my life, I want a job, I want a man, I want a woman, I want a car, I want this, I want, and God says, go to your room. And unfortunately, many in Christianity today have settled with walking up and down the hallway and they never wind up getting sent out. Jesus says, forgive one another as your Father in heaven has forgiven you. We have to. Yeah, I don’t like that person. He didn’t ask you to like him. He asked you to love him. Liking people is easy. You like people who you like. And Jesus says, love your brothers and sisters. We’re gonna be together forever in heaven. Let’s make the biggest impact on the world right now while we can. Let’s wash our hands. Let’s wash our hearts. No more excuses. no more junk, get right with God, and catch fire, and burn for him. You know, if we get hot enough for God, the world will come out and watch us burn. You know? Father, we thank you for your word and for your truth, and tonight, right here, right now, all of us need to do housekeeping in our soul. There are people who have wronged us in life, and there’s gonna be people who will wrong us in life. When our emotions are at the wheel, it feels like it’s the end of the world. Lord, when we take a deep breath and push back away from the issues of life, we see you. And Father, tonight, I just pray that you would sovereignly sweep through the hallways of our soul and cleanse us, Lord, tonight. Father God in heaven, I invite, we invite your conviction. to be upon us, Jesus. Convict us of our sins. Speak to us, Lord, about settling accounts with others. Keep us from grabbing someone by the neck and demanding that they pay or be thrown in the jail. Forgive us, Father God. We ask it in Jesus’ name and all God’s people said, Amen. Amen.
SPEAKER 03 :
pastor and Bible teacher, Jack Hibbs, here on Real Life Radio with his message called Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, Part 3. We’re glad you stopped by to listen today. You know, this message is part of Pastor Jack’s new series called The Parables of Jesus. It’s a great series that highlights the teachings of Jesus while he was here on this earth. And we’ll continue on the next edition of Real Life Radio.
SPEAKER 01 :
So as you heard from our broadcast, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. And if you’d like to know what a commitment to Christ can mean in your life personally, we would love to help you out with that. Go to jackhibbs.com slash know God. That’s K-N-O-W God. And there you’ll be guided through what a commitment to Christ can mean in your life and the freedom that you’ll find in knowing God. Don’t miss out. That’s the know God tab at jackhibbs.com.
SPEAKER 03 :
Pastor Jack, we’ve got a great book of the month this month. It’s called Living Water and written by Chuck Smith. And from what I understand, and the listeners might not know this, but you and Chuck Smith, you go back quite a bit. Is that right?
SPEAKER 02 :
Yeah. Amazing. First of all, just the Jesus revolution, the Jesus movement. A lot of people kind of think of Greg Laurie in that. But the truth of the matter is Greg Laurie was a byproduct as I, as so many thousands of others were. all because one man decided to obey God and really go against, so to speak, church rules in those days. What he decided to do is let’s do the Bible verse by verse. Let’s do the Bible and nothing else.
SPEAKER 03 :
So, you know, the concept of the Holy Spirit can be difficult to understand for a lot of Christians. What I specifically like about this book is the focus on the Holy Spirit. So how do you think Living Water, this book, stands out from other books about the Holy Spirit?
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, obviously there’s libraries that are filled with books on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, the person of the Holy Spirit. And I’m not knocking any of those books, but it’s impossible to read them all. Chuck Smith had what might be one of the most unique ways of teaching the Bible because even from his pulpit and the thousands and thousands of people that attended his sermons, he just spoke to you as though you were sitting at a coffee table with him. That’s simple. He taught in such a way that you remembered. You remembered what you heard. You remembered what was taught. And in this case, you’ll remember what is written because, frankly, it’s just plump with Bible. And it’s just a tremendously powerful book regarding the power, frankly, of the Holy Spirit active in your life. And so it’s a highly recommended book. It changed my life. It made things that are normally complicated by people. Pastor Chuck just brought it down so simply and powerfully. So it’s such a great resource. I hope everybody gets it and will be blessed by it as much as I have been and as I am, to be honest with you.
SPEAKER 03 :
Yeah. Living Water by Pastor Chuck Smith. It’s available right now for a gift of any amount at jackhibbs.com slash real radio. That’s jackhibbs.com slash real radio. Did you know that along with the radio program, Pastor Jack also has a TV show with more of the Pastor Jack Hibbs content that you like. It’s called Real Life TV. If you enjoy Pastor Jack on the radio, you’re going to love him on TV. So check out your local listings or visit jackhibbs.com and catch the latest episodes. That’s jackhibbs.com. This program is made possible by the generous contributions of you, our listeners. Visit us at jackhibbs.com. That’s jackhibbs.com. Until next time, Pastor Jack Hibbs and all of us here at Real Life Radio wish for you solid and steady growth in Christ and in His Word. We’ll see you next time here on Real Life Radio.
