Middletown transcript., 1921-01-08
LESSON FOR JANUARY 8
JESUS TEACHES FORGIVENESS.
LESSON rExr-Matt 1s.a1s5

JG0Oo lEANHES fOhOlVENESS.
LESSON TEXT-Matt 1S:21-35
GOLDEN TEXT-If ye forgive men
their trespasses, your heavenly Father
will also forgive you.-Matt. 6:14.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Matt. 6:12-
Is; lS:15-20; Luke 1r:3, 4; Eph. 4: 81, 80;
Col 3:12-14
PRIMARY ToPIC-Forgiving One An
other.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Learning to Forgive.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
--Forgiving and Forgiven.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
forgiveness: Its Meaning and Scope.
In this lesson we have divine in
structiOns as to our behavior in case
OF ill-treatment.
!. Peters Question ". Ply.
This question, "How often shall my
brother sin against me and l forgive
him?" probably was occasioned by the
i'll treatment which Peter was then re-
ceiving at the hands of his fellow dis
ciples. Christ's confession of Peter
brought him into the limelight. The
question of the disciples (19:D "Who
is the greatest in the kingdom of heav-
en?" shows that there was some jeal-
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
quires "TilI seven times?" showing his
readiness to forgive his brother not
three times but twice three times and
q little over.
II. Jesus Answer (v. 22).
The Lords answer was an astOnish-
ing revelation to Peter. He said mot
until seven times, but until seventy
times seven." This shows that our
willingness to forgive should be limit
less.
III. The Two Creditors wv. 23-35).
This parable of the two creditors H.
lustrates His principles of forgiveness.
1. The gracious creditor wv. 23-27).
The king in this parable represents
God, and the servant who is greatly in
debt represents the sinner-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 imaginings 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
demned; by the grace of God we were
freely pardoDed.
2. The cruel creditor wv. 2S-S5).
This man who was forgiven so much
found u man who owed him a small
Sum-abOut fifteen or seventeen dol
lars. He shut his ears to the mans
entreaty to be patient with him, flew
ut his 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 a debt as our sins against God.
we should make Gods act Of unlimited
forgiveness toward us the standard Of
unlimited forgiveness toward others.
In dealing with others we should al
ways keep these considerations before
us: (D 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 a day of Judgment
coming and at that day we shall be
treated as we treat others. No mercy
will lie 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 if 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).