Demonstrate gratitude for God's mercy

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | June 21, 2023 | Matthew 18:28-35

KEY VERSE:

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. ³³Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ Matthew. 18:32-33 (NIV)

THE MESSAGE:

The story of the wicked and ungrateful servant in Matthew 18:32-33 serves as a reminder of the extravagant forgiveness we have received from God and our responsibility to extend that forgiveness to others. In this passage, a servant who owed a significant debt pleaded for patience and mercy from his master. Astonishingly, the master forgave the entire debt, but despite being forgiven a colossal debt, the servant in the parable encountered a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller amount. Rather than extending mercy, he displayed a lack of gratitude by demanding immediate payment. With no mercy or compassion, the ungrateful servant denied his fellow servant’s plea for forgiveness. Then, he cast him into prison until he could pay the debt (Matt. 18:30). When the other servants saw this, they informed their lord the king.

The servant had been forgiven so much, but it had not changed him. He demonstrated that he had forgotten about the forgiveness he had received. We are never told of his thanking the king for his compassion, mercy, and forgiveness of his debt. Nor do we read of any sense of gratitude demonstrated. Despite having received a monumental act of forgiveness himself, he failed to understand the significance of extending forgiveness to others. His ungratefulness is evident in his actions. He disregarded the immense favour bestowed upon him by his master, demonstrating a lack of appreciation for the mercy he had received. The ungrateful servant's failure to forgive resulted in severe judgment from the master. The master, upon hearing of the ungrateful servant’s behaviour, responded with righteous judgement. He revoked the servant’s forgiveness and handed him over to be tormented until he repaid his entire debt.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

This message challenges us to examine our hearts and consider whether we truly appreciate and understand the depth of God's forgiveness. The parable challenges us to respond to God's forgiveness with gratitude and a transformed heart. Recognizing the depth of our forgiven debts should move us to extend forgiveness and grace to those around us. We should strive to treat others with the same kind of mercy and grace we have received from God. As a result, we can be agents of transformation in our communities by living out the love of God.

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the forgiveness You have lavished upon me through Jesus Christ. Lord, I confess that at times I have struggled to fully comprehend and appreciate the forgiveness I have received. Forgive me for my lack of gratitude and my failure to extend that same forgiveness to others. Fill my heart with a deep sense of thankfulness for Your unmerited grace. May my life be a testimony to Your transformative power and Your boundless forgiveness. I pray all this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!