When You Were Lost, God Was Loving You

Today, I want to remind you of something truly remarkable and awe-inspiring: God loves you deeply. It's easy to forget or overlook this profound truth, especially when we face challenges or doubt our worthiness. But let me assure you, my friend, that you are cherished by a loving and compassionate God.

In the book of Romans, chapter 5, verse 8, it beautifully states, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." These words hold immense power and serve as a constant reminder of God's unconditional love. You see, God didn't wait for us to become perfect or righteous before extending His love to us. He loved us in our brokenness, in the midst of our shortcomings and failures. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the ultimate proof of this extraordinary love.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 2:9, we find an incredible promise: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." This verse reminds us that the depth of God's love and the blessings He has in store for us are beyond our imagination. We may experience trials and tribulations in this world, but God's plans for us are far greater than we can comprehend. He has an eternal and abundant future prepared for those who place their trust in Him.

So, my dear friend, I encourage you to meditate on these verses and let them resonate in your heart. Allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the incomprehensible love of God, which surpasses all understanding. Embrace the truth that you are cherished, valued, and deeply loved by the Creator of the universe.

Remember, in times of doubt or struggle, you are not alone. God's love is a constant presence in your life, offering comfort, guidance, and unending grace. Seek His presence through prayer, immerse yourself in His Word, and surround yourself with a community of believers who can support and uplift you.

May you find solace and strength in the knowledge of God's love for you. You are a precious child of the Most High, and He has extraordinary plans for your life. Embrace His love, and let it transform you from within.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday (Father's Day) at 10:30 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124

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Being So Heavenly Minded You are Perfectly Earthly Good. Part 2

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download To watch the video, click here.

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.

Where is your mindset?

Colossians 3:1,2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Thesis
As a consequence of us being seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), we are to have our minds set on this reality. Our thinking and emotional energy is to be focused on heavenly realities and we are to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature (Col. 3:5) while we clothe ourselves in Christian virtues.

Introduction
When we are truly heavenly minded there is a practical component that plays out in our lives that sheds abroad love and goodness to everyone we come into contact with.

People who are so heavenly minded they are no Earthly good are not truly heavenly minded. They may have knowledge or some type of pseudo spirituality but they are not truly connected to heaven.

Meddling Moment

I’ve noticed a pattern in people that if there is something about their lives they don’t like they are quick to assign a source to the problem that is outside of their ability to control. The whole time that really isn’t the problem but a convenient scape goat get’s created that allows the person to delude themselves into thinking there’s nothing they can do about it thus giving them a way out of having to overcome the situation.

I believe my spirit is alive in God but my mind needs to be renewed and washed to a different reality that is found in Christ. The course of my life is set by this mind so it’s imperative that I make it submit to heavenly realities.

We are instructed to take every thought captive and demolish wrong thinking.
 
2 Corinthians 10:4,5
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Last week, in looking at Colossians 3:5-9, we looked at “what not to do”. This week our focus is going to be in Colossians 3:12-15 where we will look at how heavenly minded people are to think and behave.

Heavenly Minded Behavior

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…

1. Compassion – a sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

• Empathy - the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another.

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:30-37
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…

2. Kindness - of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature, showing sympathy or understanding; charitable.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…

3. Humility- not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive; reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission.

Philippians 2:5-11
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…
 
4. Gentleness - free from harshness, sternness, or violence

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…
 
5. Patience - bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint , manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…
 
6. Forbearance- a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due.

7. Forgiveness of the Lord

Matthew 18:23-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Part 3
  8. Love
  9. Walk in Peace
10. Walk in Thankfulness
11. The Message of Christ is Taught
12. Each Person Admonishes another
   

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V. If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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What is the Prayer of Faith?

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.
 

Thesis: We’ve always been taught that prayer is “Talking with God” and it is.  However, the prayer of faith takes on a different component. We will see that a prayer of faith is rightly recognizing God’s word and declaring it over a situation. This prophetic utterance of faith, based on God’s spoken word, causes supernatural manifestations.

 

James 5:13-16

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

 

v. 13 and 14 Let your prayer life be authentic with your situation. Happy? Praise. Trouble? Pray. Sick? Call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.  The Lord will raise them up.  If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

• The sick person initiates the prayer request to the elders of the church.
• The elders are to anoint with oil and pray in the name of Jesus.
• The prayer of faith will make the sick person well

Praying in the name of Jesus is not simply saying, “In the name of Jesus”.   Praying in the name of Jesus also includes the one ministering healing, being like Jesus.  In the name can be synonymously tied to the idea of the nature of Jesus. Jesus is in me and I’m in him so when I pray it’s not me it’s Jesus in me releasing the virtue of the Kingdom of God into this situation. Saying “in the name of Jesus” is not a magic spell or magic sentence. It’s got to be backed by the substance of Jesus in the one ministering. A person where sin dominates their life cannot pray in the name of Jesus with any substantive results. Jesus I know, and Paul I’m getting to know, but who are you? Acts 19:15

 

It’s more important that you are in Jesus than you say the words, “In the name of Jesus”.  The demons, sickness, or whatever, knows if you’re in Jesus or not. The proof will be in the results of your prayers/declarations of God’s will.

 

It’s also interesting that physical healing and forgiveness of sins go hand in hand in this passage. I strongly encourage people of all denominations to study the concept of the Greek word Sōzō and then fearlessly share it with people you have influence with. The modern concept of salvation has been fragmented into component parts however many are being awakened to the idea that salvation includes healing and deliverance from unclean spirits.

 

If you want to keep someone sick and you’re the devil and you know that Jesus has already paid the price for their healing, the only strategy you have that will work will be to keep the people ignorant to the promise of God and then convince them healing is not for them or it’s not God’s will. This is the only way to keep God’s people sick from the Devil’s perspective. Don’t buy the lie!

 

The example from James 5 for the person who prays the prayer of faith is Elijah.  James 5:17,18 references his prayers of faith to start and stop the rain.

 

Some may Think Elijah has special privileges but…

 

Hebrews 8:6

But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

 

Prayer to Stop the Rain

 

Elijah’s prayer of faith was a declaration that it wouldn’t rain.

 

1 Kings 17:17 

Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”

 

Prayer to Start the Rain

 

1 Kings 18:1-2

After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.

 

1 Kings 18:41-43

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. 43 “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

 

Mark 11:22-25

22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

 

In Mark 11:22-25 we see Jesus teaching on the prayer of faith. Have faith in God and If you speak to the Mountain and believe and don’t doubt it will be done for you.

 

1 John 5:14,15

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

 

Therefore… whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

 

When you stand praying, forgive anyone who has sinned against you. What you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. If you don’t want your prayers hindered, release people from your heart judgments.

 

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V. If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124

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From Pew Warmer to Prophet

By Tony V. Hammack 

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download To watch the video, click here.

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.  

Thesis:

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him in faith. We cannot come to God unless he draws us. When he draws us and reveals himself we will be changed forever.

 

Outline:

1. Seek God

2. See the Holiness of God

3. See yourself as in need

4. Receive atonement forgiveness and value

5. Enter obedient service

 

 

 

 

Isaiah’s sin Atoned for

 

Isaiah 6:3-8

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

 

1. Seek God

 

2 Chronicles 16:9a

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

 

Hebrews 11:6

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

 

Acts 17:27

27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

 

2. We Must See God in His Holiness

• Isaiah saw God in a heavenly vision. (Isaiah 6:1-4)
• Holiness means set apart or special and unique.  (Do you see God in his holiness or is he the “Man Upstairs?”; or maybe “The Big J.C.?)
• This is why worship in Spirit and in Truth (Jn. 4:24) is so very important. This will thrust us into God’s presence where we can be challenged and changed.
• No one can be saved unless the Spirit of God draws them. (John 6:44)
• No one can be saved unless Jesus is revealed to them.

No one can be saved unless Jesus is revealed to them.

*Centurion Soldier

• Mark 15:39  And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

 *Jesus Son of David Have Mercy on me

• Blind Bartimaeus
• Mark 10:52 your faith has healed (sozo’d) you.

*The Thief on the cross

• Luke 23:41 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

*Peter

• Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

3. See yourself as in need

Isaiah saw himself as guilty, insignificant and in need of a savior when he clearly saw the Lord.

Sin, aroused by the Law is designed to create hopelessness in an individual driving them to Christ. (Rom. 7:8)

If a person doesn’t see a need they will not look to find a solution to their problem.

Everyone has a different “rock bottom”.

The philosophy of humanism teaches that man is inherently good.   Humanism is the “religion” of many people in our country.

Many “good” people will not make it to heaven because they will stand before God with their sinful nature still intact before him.

4. Receive atonement forgiveness and God esteem.

When almighty God says your sins are forgiven it is tremendously empowering.

This forgiveness is a form of approval by God himself.  When God is for us who can be against us. Again very empowering. (Rom 8:31)

Romans 2:4

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

5. Enter Service

After Isaiah saw a glimpse of God’s holiness, was forgiven for his sin and empowered he was immediately motivated to be sent into service for the Lord.  God commissioned him as a prophet.

They can’t hear unless there’s a preacher (Romans 10:14)

Romans 12:1,2 also shows a similar pattern we see in Isaiah 6

Romans 12:1-2

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We see the holiness, our sinfulness, the atoning sacrifice of the Lord here. What follows this?

Offering our bodies as a living sacrifice. Here am I, send me!

God’s not mad at you!

If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ God is not mad at you. His justice has been satisfied toward you in the suffering of Jesus.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Conclusion:

We need a good look at God’s Holiness, mercy and kindness. When immersed in God we will be changed from the inside out.

This Change is nothing short of God himself working to will and to accomplish his good purposes through us.

Prayer Focus

1. We would Seek God
2. Then God would show us himself in holiness.
3. We would comparatively see ourselves in the light of God’s holiness recognizing our own need.
4. God would extend us mercy because it’s in his heart to be kind and merciful.
5. We filled with gratitude would enter service, lovingly building God’s kingdom faithfully obeying the voice of the one we have come to love.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124



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Cruizin' with Pastor Tony - Forgiveness

Enjoy this weeks "Cruizin' with PT" as I discuss the new world wide internet radio station www.kccjfm.org 106.9 LPFM as well as discussing the subject of forgiveness and bitterness.



If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here and watch all four videos on the page. Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V. If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church 45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124

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The Devil and the Duck

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm and he was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner.

As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, 'Sally, let's wash the dishes' But Sally said, 'Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.' Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?' So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, 'I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.' Sally just smiled and said, 'well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help? She whispered again, 'Remember the duck?' So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he Finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, 'Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.'

Thought for the day and every day thereafter:

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done....? And the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear , bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is....You need to know
that: God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing.

He has seen your whole life... He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.

Jubilee Family Church

When Unforgiveness is Not a Good Option

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 18:21-35

The Parable
We know that this story illustrates a kingdom principle of forgiveness and judgment. It shows how the character of God interrelates with men based on the way men interrelate with God and one another.

Peter in Verse 21 asks the question, “How many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times?

Peter is asking the question in regard to the previous teaching on conflict resolution and your brother wronging you found in verse 15.

I also think Peter may be trying to show out a little here by coming up with the question and the answer in the same breath. In Peter’s mind, 7 forgiveness's is a large number. It may be a large number in some of our minds today as well.

Hypothetically imagine if your boss decided not to pay you for a weeks work and came and apologized from his heart and did this for 7 consecutive weeks, how many of us could truly forgive our boss from our heart?

Jesus completely blows Peter out of the water with his answer. You think 7 is a big number but I tell you that you must forgive your brother 70 times 7 times. This is practically the number 490 but I believe it represents something more infinite.

There is a key to taking on a merciful personality found in this parable.
There is an excellent and logical reason why some people are very critical and judgmental of others. We’ll see why in just a minute.

In verse 23, The parable of a human king correlates nicely with Jesus being the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who will one day settle accounts with his subjects or attendants.

In the parable the debt is financial but in our lives our debt is a sin debt. The Bible is very clear that every human owes God a sin debt. Every sin needs to be paid for or atoned for.

Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Each one of us has a huge sin debt that is owed to a holy, just and righteous God.

The financial illustration is a great way to understand the ratio of our debt compared to the debt other people owe us. The amplified Bible describes the debt of sin we owe the king as 10,000 talents or the equivalent of $10,000,000.

Because the man could not pay in v. 25, his master ordered him to be sold into slavery, with his wife and his children and every thing that he possessed and payment to be made.

This could be considered the wages of sin in this life being destruction ultimately followed by physical death.

Proverbs 13:15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Galatians 6:7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

This can also be looked at as eternal punishment for a debt that cannot be paid and due to God’s holy and just nature he must judge sin.

Both understandings are correct and we need to deal with both realities.

The Servant’s Response to the King
The servant fell on his knees, begging the king, “Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.”

The servant’s words in V. 26 indicate that he feels a sense of responsibility to pay back the debt even though it’s impossible to pay back. He begs for patience.

The King’s Response to his Servant
Because of the man’s approach and heart condition, the King’s heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [canceling the debt.]

Wow, a $10,000,000 debt cancelled simply because he asked for patience and mercy. This speaks volumes about the heart of God toward us.

James 2:13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

God’s nature is Just and Merciful all at once. These two character qualities seem unreconcilable.

The only way these two character qualities can be expressed simultaneously is when there is an advocate or a scapegoat to take the punishment thus satisfying God’s demand for justice and a recipient of mercy, satisfying God’s merciful character.

We see a beautiful illustration of this in the Cross. Jesus (God himself) taking our punishment, the ultimate in mercy so he can maintain his integrity expressing justice and mercy simultaneously.

The First Servant’s Response to the Second Servant
In v. 28 the same attendant, as he went out, found one of his fellow attendants who owed him a hundred denarii [about 20 dollars]; and he caught him by the throat and said, Pay what you owe!

The illustration is a simple one. The servant receives a tremendous bail out package from the king and then goes out immediately and demands justice when he’s been shown mercy.

And the contrast financially is a sharp one. This illustrates the debt of sin people can owe us.

Have you ever been hurt by a person?
Verbally
Physically
Even maybe sexually abused?
Maybe it’s much less severe. Is their ANYTHING in your heart against someone?

So his fellow servant did the same thing he did when he obtained mercy from the King. He fell down in v. 29 and begged him earnestly to give him time and he would pay all!

A Sharp Contrast between the King and the First Servant
The first servant who’d received mercy from the king was unwilling to give his fellow servant time to pay the debt in v. 30. He had him imprisoned until he could pay off the debt of 20 dollars!

Who have you put into your heart prison. Is there someone you haven’t forgiven. Yes they’ve hurt you but is it really even close to the hurt you’ve inflicted on God?
People who hold grudges and bitterness either haven’t been forgiven by the king or they have forgotten what it is like to be forgiven by the king.
When the Love of the king comes in and forgives you your debt it’s impossible to hold a petty grudge (of $20) against your brother or sister in Christ.

So you’ve got to ask yourself. If you’re carrying some unforgiveness against a brother or sister. Am I forgiven? Or am I just disconnected from the revelation of that forgiveness?

Bring in Some Balance
Does God forgive people if they don’t repent and ask for forgiveness? NO
Should you?

Well, Yes if you can. Do it to free yourself from lingering in the past. Those memories if not dealt with can be toxic to your present time.

Romans 12:19
19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,“ says the Lord.

However, if they genuinely, from their heart, ask you to forgive them, you HAVE to forgive them if you expect forgiveness from the King of Heaven for yourself.

Listen to what the King now says to the first servant.
V. 32 You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and cancelled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to.

V. 33 And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?

V. 34 and in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.

Again I believe this has a dual meaning.

It effects your here and now (what are some practical ways that unforgiveness is like being tortured or jailed?)
It effects your eternity.

V 35 So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.

Sometimes holding a grudge only effects you! The person who’s offended you doesn’t even know! LET IT GO!! Take it to the king and let that person free from your heart prison! It’ll make you feel better!

Some may say, “Pastor I can’t forgive what they did to me, I tried and I just can’t.” Well I would say to you that you need to catch a glimpse of God’s forgiveness for you again.

If they’ve asked for forgiveness it’s imperative that you do this. If they haven’t it’s important for your future.

Jubilee Family Church