DCLM Search The Scripture Youth & Adult For October 2, 2022 : Topic – Christ Teaches On Forgiveness
YOUTH STS
LESSON 39
CHRIST TEACHES ON FORGIVENESS
TEXT: Matthew 18:1-35
MEMORY VERSE: “Jesus saith unto him, say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).
In the previous chapter, the Lord Jesus Christ and Apostle Peter paid tribute to those in authority. The disciples must have been thinking of when the Lord will establish His reign here on earth. They are also thinking perhaps of enjoying the benefits of occupying political authority here on earth. Hence, they wanted to know what it takes to be greatest in the coming Kingdom. The answer of Christ must have surprised them. He used the occasion to teach them on the paradox of greatness in His kingdom.
Question 1: Distinguish between the methods of attaining greatness in the world for sinners and in God’s kingdom for believers.
While greatness in the world for sinners is by struggling, fighting, pulling down others and self-centeredness, greatness in the Kingdom of God is by repentance, humility and Obedience to the word Of God. Christ used the remaining Part of the chapter to teach about the possibility and resolution of offences in the Kingdom and the danger of unforgiving spirit.
PRECONDITION OF CONVERSION BEFORE ENTERING THE KINGDOM (Matthew 18:1-14; Mark 9:33-41; Luke 9:46-50; James 5:19)
Conversion is not optional for youths who are dreaming of entering and enjoying benefits in the kingdom of God. As it is not reasonable to be thinking of having a first class degree without first gaining admission into the university, so it is unreasonable to be thinking of greatness in God’s kingdom without genuine repentance and faith in Christ’s atoning death. Conversion is the genesis of a meaningful relationship between God and youths. Every youth is born with sinful nature, but God is against every form of sin. To fellowship with God, sins must be confessed and forsaken by the youth. Christ’s sacrifice must be accepted as the only means of approaching God. Religious activities are no substitute for salvation. Even if you are born in the church or born by Christian parents, you still need to personally repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. This is the only remedy for sins, without which it is impossible to enter heaven.
Question 2: What is the only way for youths to have Genuine fellowship with God?
It takes humility to be converted, so proud youths cannot be converted except they humble themselves. Those who are depending on good works they can do in order for them to merit salvation are proud. Unbelieving youths must accept that they are helpless without Christ. They must realize that there is nothing they can do on their own to merit salvation. The price of salvation is so high that no human being can afford to pay the price. Christ Jesus is God’s remedy to human need of salvation. Like little children, youths must see themselves as being helpless, weak, handicapped and incompetent to merit salvation. It is not the duty of God to humble any youth but you must deliberately humble yourself to be counted among the redeemed. The disciples in particular and all Christians in general must change their opinion about the kingdom of God. Humility and childlike obedience is essential in the kingdom of God unlike the worldly kingdom where those in authority oppress the less privileged.
Question 3: What does it mean to offend “these little ones”? How do sinning youths seduce believers today?
Christian youths are expected to love and appreciate God’s children who are humble and teachable like children. “Whoso shall offend these little ones” means to do anything that can make them fall back into sins. They must not put any stumbling block on the way of converts and believers whom Christ died for. Every youth must live to edify others, rather than leading them back to sins. In dressing, conducts and interactions, they must be careful not to be agent of backsliding. They must not seduce them or entice others into sins because they are precious in the sight of God. Some youths seduce others by: one, posting naked pictures on social media; two, sitting carelessly in the church; three, wearing transparent dresses in public; four, writing love letter to the opposite gender; five, hindering others from hearing God’s word; six, carrying false rumours against the believers; seven, deliberately provoking Christian youths without cause. The consequence of making any believer to backslide is terrible. God will not take it lightly with anyone that makes a believer backslide. It is better not to be born into this world at all than to make a child of God to backslide.
Question 4: What do you understand by “cutting off and plucking out your hands and eyes” as used by Christ?
Christ places much value on believers that God will not hold any youth who despise them guiltless. God specifically assigns angels in heaven to take care of believers. What an assuring revelation from our Lord and what a great privilege an unbelieving youth is missing. Jesus Christ personally was on earth for the main purpose of bringing back those who are lost in sins and trespasses. To cut off your hands and pluck out your eyes as used by Christ means, rather than making any one to fall, youths must separate from anything and any one luring them into sins. It means it is better to lose the friendship and appreciation of an agent of temptation than to go to hell. Youths must not hold on to anything or anyone so dearly to the detriment of their souls. Things and any one as precious as eyes or as close and as useful as hands must not be allowed to make them sin. Making heaven at last should be the most important thing to the youths. No efforts should be spared in searching for backsliders by believers. Christian youths should not mock but pray and search for those who are lost because it is not the will of God that anyone should perish.
PRESCRIPTION OF CHRIST FOR SETTLING OFFENCES IN THE KINGDOM (Matthew 18:15-20; Leviticus 19:17; John 8: 17; 2 Corinthians 13: 1)
In our text, Christ gave a vivid illustration and instruction on how to settle misunderstanding among believers. This command of Christ is the only means of avoiding and preventing disunity, backbiting and grudges among believers. It is possible for a Christian youth to offend one another. Christ’s usage of the “if thy brother” shows that it is possible for a brother to offend a brother and for a sister to offend a sister.
Question 5: What are the causes of offences among believers? And how should conflicts be resolved in the church?
We can step on one another’s toes in the household of faith. Offences may happen in the church due to: one, carelessness; two, misunderstanding; three, misinterpretation; four, forgetfulness; five, lack of maturity; six, satanic manipulation; seven, differences in background and culture; eight, educational differences; nine, differences in exposure; ten, oversights whenever there is an offence among believers. Christ commands that the offended Christian should: one, go directly to the perceived offender to and discuss with him with all humility. Two, the offended must not go about spreading the offences and slandering the offender behind. Remember, both of them are converted, humble and teachable like children. Three, the offended believer must not approach the offender in an arrogant and holier than thou attitude. He is only offended but must listen to the offender in order to understand the reasons for his action. Four, the offended is expected to prayerfully approach the offender and have the right attitude when presenting the matter. Five, the offended must not manifest anger but should speak gently to the offender. Six, the offended believer must not conclude in his mind that the offender is wrong before hearing from him. Seven, there should be faith in the offended that the offender is still a believer. Wrong attitude during offenses is not biblical and should be avoided by all Christian youths. Christian youths must not settle misunderstandings like unbelievers. There is a possibility that the offender may not understand why a believer should be offended by his/her actions. The offender may be looking at the issues from another angle and may assume that nothing is wrong or offensive in what has happened. In such situation, a Christian youth must prayerfully again take one or two matured and impartial believers to help them settle their misunderstanding. The offended youth should not go with people to go and fight the offender. The offended must not go to the offender with unbelievers, neither with young converts who are not mature and patient enough to handle such matter. If the offender still refuses to apologise to the offended, then the matter should be reported to the leaders in the church. If the offender still refuses to will not listen to the leaders in the church, then the offender should be regarded as a sinner or backslider. Since believers will not fight a sinner, the offender needs the prayer of the offended till God will help such individual to realise and repent. Heaven-minded youths should not hold malice against an unrepentant offender. When an offender apologises, the matter should be allowed to die permanently without sharing it with other youth. The offended not look down on the offender nor make the offender look like a criminal after then. The offended should rather join hands together with the offender to pray for more grace to stand. They should cooperate together and understand that their common enemy is the devil. They should use their power of agreement to claim their inheritance in Christ. They must not allow personal interests to divide them. Satan uses the principle of divide and rule against the believers. Great power is at the disposal of the believers when they agree together. Every disagreement must be resolved immediately because only Satan prospers when believers disagree.
PUNISHMENT AND CONDEMNATION FOR UNFORGIVENESS IN THE KINGDOM (Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 17:4; Mark 11:25,26)
In response to the question of Peter, our Lord taught about forgiveness and the consequence of unforgiveness. Refusal to forgive makes a believer an enemy of God. If God has forgiven all the sins we ever committed and admitted us into His kingdom because of Christ, Christian youths must forgive all offenders. No Christian youths should hold malice against any one either believers or unbelievers. If a believer refuses to forgive others, God will not forgive the sins of such a believer. It means when we don’t forgive, we become backsliders and sinners. If we don’t forgive others, we cannot make heaven and our privileges in Christ will be eroded. Refusal to forgive hurts you even more than the original offence. Forgiveness is divine and we can easily forgive and forget when the nature of Christ is in us. Inability to forgive, is an evidence of lack of grace and backsliding. The quicker you are ready and willing to forgive the more of God’s grace you have in you.
Question 6: Why should believers forgive and what is the consequence of unforgiveness?
When you forgive, you will forget offences and will not remember it. Those who always refer to the past offences have not really forgiven because the evidence of true forgiveness is forget the offence. You should not mention the offence to the offender or others again when you really forgive. You cannot enjoy your Christian life if you can’t forgive. People will definitely do something you don’t appreciate but you must forgive in order to move forward as Christians. If you don’t want the devil to hinder your prayer, you must forgive and forget all offences. You hurt yourself and hinder your progress both physically and spiritually when you don’t forgive and forget. When Satan wants to remind you of the offence in your mind, rebuke him and tell him you have forgiven the offender. Live a joyful life and be the best God wants you to be. Do not allow the devil to imprison you with malice. Many are imprisoned by the devil due to the grudges they have against others. Some are keeping offences for years in their mind; no wonder their prayers are not answered. Today, make up your mind, be free from all malice in Jesus name. Amen.
ADULTS
LESSON 39
CHRIST TEACHES ON FORGIVENESS
MEMORY VERSE: “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall. My brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matt 18:21,22)
TEXT: Matthew 18:1-35
In the previous chapter, Peter, James and John were with Christ on the mount of transfiguration where they had the solitary privilege of experiencing Christ transfigured before them. While there, they witnessed Moses and Elijah in conversation with Him. Moreover, they heard the voice from heaven approving the authority and divine Sonship of Christ. In other words, a curtain was lifted for the disciples to see for a while a little of the glory of His kingdom. The present study, however, will expose us to the fact that to have a revelation of the kingdom of heaven is not as important as to live the life that qualifies one to enter into the Kingdom. This required kingdom lifestyle of childlikeness, avoiding offences, forgiving and restoring fellowship with one another constitute the essence of the current discourse.
DEMAND FOR CHILDLIKENESS
Matt 18:1-6; Mark 10:15; 1 Cor 13:11; 14:20; Psalm 131:2; Luke 18:16
The carnal nature of man, as exemplified in the disciples, manifested again at this time as they asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matt 18:1). Jesus answered in an unmistakable term with an instructive comparison. He said: “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:3). This is a demand for a second conversion as demonstrated in the many virtues in the lives of little children that are worthy of believers’ emulation. These include their humility, trust, sincerity and forgiving spirit. Children do not sleep over or keep grudges. We must note that there exists a difference between childlikeness and childishness. Jesus condemned childishness, which manifests in selfishness, self-centeredness and other immature behaviours. “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men” (1 Cor 14:20; 13:11). Humility, as a childlike virtue, enables teachability, submission, readiness to admit it when we are wrong and willingness to apologise. Sincerity as demonstrated by children shows in their simplicity, transparency and innocence. God expects us to trust and rely on Him the same way little children rely and trust fully on their parents. “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee” (Psalm 143:8). Another major characteristic of childlikeness is freedom from self-management. Children never see themselves as independent or sufficient for anything but wait on their parents for direction and instruction. No wonder Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein” (Mark 10:15). This is because “…of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16). It needs be stated that the kingdom of heaven contrasts sharply with the kingdoms of this world. People gain prominence and greatness in the world by politicking, lobbying as well as image-making and through awareness campaigns of their wealth, status, accomplishments or plan for public management. Jesus taught however, that humility and self-emptying are the keys and ways to greatness and prominence in His kingdom. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:4). This allusion means literally that believers be of humble, innocent and simple spirits just as little children. Jesus explained how dear this category of Christians are to Him such that angels behold the Father’s face continually on their behalf despite their seeming littleness of importance before men (Matt 18:10). And how careful we must be in not constituting any form of obstruction or discouragement on their way to heaven. If we receive, encourage and support such meek believers, it will attract divine rewards. This is because such gestures will be taken as done directly unto Christ. Becoming a stumbling block to their godliness and virtue on the other hand, attracts sore divine punishment: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt 18:6). Hanging a millstone was an advanced form of punishment by the Syrians and Greeks in the days of Christ. The Scripture states that the punishment from God on those that constitute stumbling block or offences for the childlike Christians would be more severe than the greatest punishment any human being or ruler on earth could devise or dispense.
DEALING WITH FAULTS AND OFFENCES AMONG BRETHREN
Matt 18:7-20; Rom 14: 13; Matt 16:26; Luke 9:24,25; Psalm 133:1-3
“Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” (Matt 18:7). Offences are things, actions, utterances or person that can induce others to sin. So long as the present world exists, temptation and allurement to sin will continue. But the Scripture pronounces terrible judgment on people through whom these offences come. As believers, we must ensure that we do not act, talk, dress or relate in any way that would deplete Grace in the the lives of others. “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Rom 14:13). We also need to cut off any relationship, attachment or connection with anyone or anything that could offend, no matter how otherwise useful, profitable or seemingly indispensable such may be. How do we deal with things or people that offend? The Scripture is clear about that. We are to “cut” off, “pluck” out and “cast” them from us. None of these actions is easy or readily bearable. But when we weigh the consequences Of our inactions with the outcome of the sacrifice that must be made, wisdom demands that heaven-bound pilgrims should take the painful but profitable path (Matt 16:26; Luke 9:24,25). Rather than constitute a stumbling block to fellow believers, we must actively seek to restore those that have stumbled. Legalistic leaders who are unwilling to forgive the repentant are also in the category of those who make others to stumble. For “…it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” (Matt 18:14). Since believers manifest the attributes of God, we ought also to handle our brethren who had offended us with love and the intention to get them fully restored again to the faith. The faults of erring brethren are not meant to be publicised. But we should rather seek quick and immediate restoration of such brethren. This, however, does not rule out the scriptural injunction to “rebuke [them that sin] before all, that others also may fear” (I Tim 5:20).
Any offence that would incite members of the church to be disobedient to the word of God and to leadership must be publicly reproved so that sin does not spread by one act of indulgence. Leaders and members must not be subdued by fear to expose the errant ways of those who are leading others astray, no matter how influential they may be. Notwithstanding, when there is an offence, the onus is particularly on those who had been offended to initiate the restoration of the offender. The first action is to humbly contact the brother or sister that has offended us. Then we tell their fault between them and us alone. If however this fails, we should approach him or her in the company of one or two witnesses after which the matter should be reported to the church leaders if the offender still refuses the restoration process. If this would still not help, the Scripture says the offender should be treated as a “heathen” and a “publican”. It is important to note that this process of handling those who had offended us is strictly meant for believers. Unfortunately the opposite of this is what is often practised by many professing Christians today. They withdraw in bitterness, malice and resentment from those who had offended them and seek subtly for an opportunity to revenge. A fellowship or local assembly where this scriptural process is followed becomes a community of united saints who would pray, receive answers and enjoy the unceasing presence and power of God (Matthew 18:18-20; Psalm 133:1-3).
DISCOURSE ON FORGIVENESS AND FELLOWSHIP IN THE CHURCH
Matt 18:21-35; 5:20,38; Col 3:13; Eph 4:31,32; Rom 12:9-21; Matt 6:12,14,15
“Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?” (Matt 18:21). The earlier instruction of Christ on restoring fellowship with an offending brother provoked the question of Peter. He needed clarification. The rabbis had taught that forgiveness terminates after three offences. Peter therefore, felt he would be doing well if he terminates his forgiveness after seven offences, seven being a perfect number. But Jesus gave a different answer: “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matt 18:22). This means believers must forgive indefinitely because true love would not keep records of offences. The demand on believers for righteousness is far more than what was practised by the Scribes and the Pharisees. “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:20). This also by far exceeds the demand of the Mosaic Law (Matt 5:38). This is because we are under a different and better dispensation; and to whom much is given, much is required. “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48). Jesus illustrated His teaching on forgiveness with the aid of a simple allegory with three main actors; the king, the forgiven servant and a fellow servant. The salient points in this parable on what transpired between the king and the forgiven servant include: one, a great debt which the servant could not pay; two, a terrible punishment or judgment for the servant’s indebtedness; three, a plea from the indebted servant; four, compassion from the king; five, forgiveness and freedom. These represent exactly what happens between a sinner and the Saviour. A sinner is a debtor and cannot pay the debt of his sin. Thus, he only deserves judgment. “For the wages of sin is death…” (Rom 6:23).
But when a sinner repents, prays in faith asking for forgiveness, he becomes justified and free from sin as well as its consequences. We were forgiven our sins, which were many and as a result become endowed with grace to forgive others. “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Col 3:13; Eph 4:31,32). Unfortunately, the forgiven servant did not demonstrate the grace of being forgiven. He refused to forgive a smaller debt owed by a fellow servant despite his pleas. Knowledge of what transpired between both servants got to their master. “And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him” (Matt 18:34). This exemplifies what happens when we refuse to forgive those who offend us. We shall be judged if we refuse to forgive and forget the offences that others committed against us. Those who refused to forgive their fellows would be cast into hell where they will be tormented eternally (Rom 12:9-21; Matt 6:12,14,15). This is so because Un-forgiveness is sin in the sight of God. Therefore, those who have determined never to forgive persons who have offended them should repent and learn to forgive, “…even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
Enumerate some virtues of little children that believers ought to have.
What are the keys to greatness in the kingdom of heaven?
What can believers learn from the parable of the lost sheep?
What are the scriptural steps we must take in order to restore fellowship with the brethren who have wronged us?
Why should a believer forgive?
What are the consequences of not forgiving someone that offends us?
What should be our attitude to those we have forgiven?