In this enlightening episode of the International Gospel Hour, we delve deeply into the powerful words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the significance of mercy in our lives. Through an engaging discussion on the biblical definition of mercy, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own capacity for compassion and the essential role that mercy plays in their spiritual journey. Jeff Archie and our team walk us through a profound examination of the parable of the unforgiving servant, drawing parallels to our modern lives and Christian responsibilities.
The greatest preacher ever known stated in the greatest sermon ever given, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Imagine one failing the test of mercy. Let’s think on this today from the International Gospel Hour.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
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Well, thank you to our Jay Webb for his kind words, and you’ll hear from Jay throughout our broadcast. Greetings to all of you for joining us for our broadcast here from the International Gospel Hour. From Matthew, the fifth chapter, in verse seven, the Bible says, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The words of Jesus on that blessed Sermon on the Mount teaches that a merciful soul will obtain mercy. And it stands to reason the more mercy that is in my life, that mercy becomes a greater part of my life. You know, I find this definition of mercy most interesting. Listen to this. It’s sympathy in action. Okay, I’ve got that. It assumes need on the part of him who receives it. and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. Now we talked about this in an earlier broadcast, but let’s back up and look at it a little more in case you missed it. It assumes need on the part of him who receives it. Well, of course it would. That’s the definition. But I love this part. Resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. So when one has the need of mercy and receives it, they understand receiving it, and in turn, they have the resources of mercy adequate to show it. That is a wonderful definition. It’s the biblical definition. I credit Vine’s New Testament Dictionary for that. But in Matthew, the 18th chapter, verses 23-35… we find a parable of Jesus known as the parable of the unforgiving servant or the unmerciful servant. Now, in our previous broadcast about loving mercy, we began with that parable. And in a moment, we’re going to read it. We’re going to do a little brief recap, and then we’re going to accelerate into our application today. But first, allow us to share a great online study for you.
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Does It Matter? is a free online video study. The most important question in all the world is, where will you go when you die? This question and others are addressed from God’s Word. May we send you the link and you give it a try? Just call toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, email, and just say, Does It Matter? Again, call toll-free at 855-444-6988. And please leave your name, email, and just say, Does it matter? You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, email, and type, Does it matter? in the message blank. We will send the link to you.
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And now Matthew 18, 23-35, the parable of the unforgiving or unmerciful servant. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants, and when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 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. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 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. So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 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. Then his master, after he had called him and said to him, You wicked servant, I forgave you all the debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers, until he should pay all that was due to him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses. Again, friends, that is Matthew 18, 23-35. Isn’t it tragic that the one that was extended the most mercy could not extend a little? Now, as we began in verses 23 through 27, we see the servant with a debt in today’s language would be in the billions, an enormous amount. And within the parable, Jesus used the harsh penalties imposed upon debtors of that day. I mean, family could be sold. Relatives would have to pay the debt. Imprisonment could be upon them. Well, friends, here’s the application to us. The debt of sin is so great, we can’t pay our way out, friends. We can’t do enough good works. How thankful we are for God’s grace and mercy that teaches us how to live. Titus 2, 11 and 12. But oh, the pleading of the one who owed. I mean, no way he could pay that debt, just like there is no way we could begin to pay God for his mercy and forgiveness. And the king forgave him. It is the only way he could have gotten out of debt. So the servant walked away debt-free, family intact, start anew. And then we come to verses 28 through 31, and you have to shake your head. I mean, this servant now that’s in good standing with the king, this forgiven servant now becomes unforgiving. I mean, friends, grabbing a fellow servant and taking him by the throat and treating him the way that he avoided? Oh, and what happened when the king found out? Well, we return to verses 32 through 34 once again. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, You wicked servant! I forgave you all the debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? And his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. You know, I’ve got to pause here as the Bible student. I wonder when he was cast into that prison and there is the fellow servant that he cast into prison. Or is it possible that this unmerciful servant was cast into maybe a worse part of the prison? Again, this is just a Bible student in me wondering these things, but here’s what we do know. Let’s recall the definition of mercy that we noted earlier. Now, sympathy in action. The action of the king to forgive the servant. And the greatest debt was erased. And then it assumes need on the part of him who receives it. Oh, the need of mercy. Both the unmerciful servant and his fellow servant. I mean, he assumes need. He is the one who needs mercy because he’s been overwhelmed by sin, or in this case, overwhelmed by debt. Now, mercy is also the resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. Now the problem. The one who rejected mercy was because he refused mercy upon another. I mean, his debt was forgiven. Amazing. Then look at what he did. Imprisonment for the rest of his life, or in the application here, eternity. I mean, the one who rejected mercy was because he refused mercy upon another. Friends, he had it. All he had to do was free his fellow servant. Have patience with me and I’ll pay you all. Wait a minute. Man, I was just forgiven a greater debt. It is forgiven. Mine’s been released. Yours has been released. Let’s both do better as servants. Well, the story, the account doesn’t end that way. So friends, from all we’ve talked about today, we best understand and grasp the teaching of Jesus. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. We do not need an unforgiving heart anywhere or anything unforgiving near our hearts. Matthew 6, 14 and 15 in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Friends, the idea of forgiveness, I forgive you, Oh, it was the old movie. I think it was the second Karate Kid when Mr. Miyagi had a childhood friend that Miyagi left Japan and came back. And the friend wanted to fight him. And then when things happened and he came to Miyagi, he said, forgive me. Miyagi looked at him and said, old friend, nothing to forgive. I think that’s a beautiful thought. My friend, nothing to forgive. It’s all good. And may this help us in our relationship with one another, but we must make certain that we walk as a forgiven soul in light of God and His mercy. Friends, with that being said, we love to encourage people to study the Bible, to help us to search the things that will help our hearts and to grow. And here is our J-Web one more time with a Bible study by mail. We offered one earlier by online, rather. But here’s one by mail that we offer quite often. Our J-Web has the details.
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Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
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Well, friends, let us never refuse the mercy and forgiveness of God, and let’s never forget what He has done for us. And we’ll continue these studies together at another time. Thank you for joining me today here from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and keep listening.
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God be with you till we meet again.
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Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com.
