The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-04-17
Lesson for April 20
JESUS TEACHING FORGIVENESS

JESUS TEACHING FORGIVENESS
LESSON TEXT-Matthew 1855, or
Easter Lesson. John 20:1-1s.
: GOLDEN TEXT-Forgive US our
debts as we forgive our debtors.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Jesus Teaching
forgiveness.
JUNIOR ToPIc-Jesus Teaching
forgiveness.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
iIC-Why Practice Forgiveness?
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP.
IYC-What Is True Forgivenessf
This lesson touches a most vital SUBJ
ject for our everyday lives. We are
always surrounded by wicked men.
i'll treatment we shall most surely re-
,ceive, for all who will live cody in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution
i(u Tim. 3:12).
; In this lesson we have divine in
structions as to our behavior in case
lof such i'll treatment.
! I. How to Gain an ErrIng Brother
INV. 1920.
A SHINING brother is lost. To bring
him to a knowledge Of his sin and
restore him to fellowship in the church
ifs to gain him. One soul is Of greater
value than the whole world. The
method to be used is:
/. Personal ". 15).
Go alone and tell him his fault.
Personal effort is most vital in win
ming an erring brother. It is usually
an effective method.
2. The help of comrade ". 49,.
"Take with thee one or two more"
The presence of one or two comrades
helps In making known his fault.
8. Tell 1t to the church ". 17.
Sometimes the church can accom-
plish that which the individual and
the comrades fail to do.
4. The binding authority of the
church's decision wv. 1920.
When the church follows the in
struction of the Lord, gathers in the
name Of Jesus Christ, and is actuated
by the Holy Spirit, its decisions are
final.
II. Peters Question ". Ply.
This question was probably occa-
stoned by the Ill treatment which
Peter was then experiencing at the
hands Of his fellow disciples. Christ's
confession of Peter brought him into
the limelight. The question Of the dis
ciples, "Who is greatest in the king
..dom?" shows that there was some jeal-
ousy Of Peter among the disciples.
This envy and jealousy was known to
Peter. His patience being thus tested,
he came to Jesus with question re-
garding forgiveness. From the Lords
teaching as to the efforts to bring
about reconciliation in case of offenses
between brother and brother, he knew
that the spirit of forgiveness would
be required. Peter, disposed to be
gracious, inquired, "till seven times?"
showing his readiness to forgive his
brother not three times, but twice
three times, and little over.
III. Jesus's Answer ". 22).
This answer was an astonishing
revelation to Peter. Jesus said, not
until seven times, but until seventy
times seven, showing that willingness
to forgive should be practically limit
less.
Nv. The Two Creditors wv. 23-35).
These two creditors illustrate
Christ's principle Of forgiveness.
1. The gracious creditor wv. 23-27).
The king in this parable represents
God. The servant who is greatly In
debt represents the sinner, any sim
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, resembles mans
vain imagining that he can pay his
debt to God, that by his future good
works he can atone for past sins.
2. The cruel creditor wv. 2S-35).
The man who was forgiven SO much
found a man who owed him a small
sum-perhaps seventeen dollars. He
shut his ears to this mans entreaty
to have patience with him, flew at his
throat, and cruelty put him into Jail.
The great mercy shown the one whose
debt had been forgiven did not touch
his heart, so he refused to be merci-
full. Being set free from so great a
debt as our sins against God, we should
not take up some slight consideration
against our brothers, but should make
Gods act of unlimited forgiveness
toward us a standard Of unlimited for
giveness toward others.
ny We, every one, continue to
need every day the forgiveness of
God. When we pray, ''Forglve US our
debt as we foSgive our Debtors" let
us be sure that we have put away all
thought of sin held against others.
No mercy will be shown to those who
have not shown mercy.