Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-01-06
MPaUvEB UEIToRn INTERNATIONAL
SlJNIlZYS0lOOL
LESSON
by REV p. B. FITzWATER, d. D..
Teacher VI English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
20 1870. Western Newspaper union.l
LESSON FOR JANUARY 8
JESUS TEACHES FORGIVENESS.

LESSON TEx,r-Matt. lS:H-3o
GOLDEN TGXT-If ye rgive men
their trespasses. your heavenly Father
| VIII also forgive you.-Matt. 6:l4.
REFERENCE MATERIA--Matt 6:12-
Is; lS:l5-20; Luke 1913. 4; Eph. :: 81, 81;
Col. S:l2-lA
PRIMARY ToPIC-Forgivins one Al
| other.
J JUNIOR TOPIC-Learnlng To Forgive.
| INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Forgivlng and Forgiven.
| YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
"-rorgiveness: Its Meaning and Scope.
In this lesson we have divine in-
structions rs to our behavior in case
Of ill-treatment.
!. Peters Question T.. 21).
This question, How often shall my
brother sin against me ard forgive
him? probably was occasloned by the
Ill treatment which Peter was then re-
ceiviDg at the hands of his fellow dis
| ciples. Christ's confession of Peter
brought him into the limelight. The
question Of the disciples QS:1) "Who
Is the greatest in the kingdom of heav-
Ousy of Peter among the disciples and
| consequent contention among them.
| From the Lords teaching as to the
efforts TO bring about reconciliation in
case of offenses between brother and
! brother He knew that it would require
the exercise of the spirit of forgive
ness. Peter disposed to be gracious in
qulres '"rill seven times?" showing his
readiness to forgive his brother not
| three times, but twice three times and
a little over.
u. Jesus Answer ". 22).
The Lords answer was an astonish-
Ing revelation to Peter. He said Not
until seven times, but until seventy
times seven" This shows that our
willingness to forgive should be limit
lefJs.
III. The Two Creditors (vv. 23-35).
This parable of the two creditors IL
illustrates His principles of forgiveness.
/. The gracious creditor wv. 23-2O.
The king in this parable represents
God, and the servant who Is greatly In
debt represents the slnner-any SIN
ner, every sinner, you and me. We
were hopelessly In debt to God. Ten
thousand talents are equal TO some
twelve millions of dollars. To meet
this obligation would be an utter i'm
possibility. This mans plea for time,
promising to pay all, much resembles
our vain lmaginings that we can pay
our debt to God, that by our future
good works we can atone for our past
most griveous sins. BY the justice Of
Gods law we were hopelessly con-
demned; by the grace Of God we were
freely pardoned.
2. The cruel creditor (vv. 2S-35).
This man who was forgiven so much
| found man who owed him small
suu-abOut fifteen or seventeen dol
lars. He shut his ears to the mans
entteaty to be patient with him, flew
at mis- throat and cruelty put him into
Jail. The great mercy shown him did
not touch his heart, so he refused to
be merciful. Being set free from so
great debt as our sins against God.
we should make Gods act of unlimited
Lol SiNChSoo LO"ui liic Va
unlimited forgiveness toward others.
In dealing with others we should al
ways keep these considerations before
| us: ~ We ourselves need it and do
every day continue to need the for
giveness Of God. With all our imper-
fections and positive sins We need the
continued mercy Of God. When We
pray, Forgive us our debts as we for
give our Debtors" let US be sure that
we have put away all thought of sin
held against others. To pray that
prayer otherwise Is an abominatiOn.
! (2) That there is day Of Judgment
coming and at that day we shall be
treated as we treat others. No mercy
will be shown to those who have not
shown mercy.
The heart, then, of this lesson Is that
Gods gracious act toward us should
be the standard Of our actions to-
ward others, and that we must exer-
else the. same spirit Of forgiveness
toward our fellowmen IL we would
continue to enjoy Gods forgiveness.
| The proof that we are Gods children
is that we manifest the spirit Of God.
BE We therefore perfect, even as your
Father which Is In heaven is perfect"
Matt. 5 :4S).