DAY 60
Pastor Jason Kimbrow
Scripture
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 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.
At this, the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt, and let him go.
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.
His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he should pay back all he owed.
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” - Matthew 18:23-35
Main Scripture: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” - Matthew 18:35
Pastor Jason Kimbrow reminds us that the essence of this passage is that grace is the rhythm of the story of God. Grace received is the undeserved favor of God. And if God extends grace to us, He, in turn, expects us to extend the same grace towards others.
If you have a hard time giving people grace, there is a good chance you don't understand the grace God has given you.
Question: If you notice a lack of grace in how you respond to your world, could there be a voice from your past you need to silence? Can you ask God for His grace-filled perspective?
Family Chat: How do you respond when friends start saying bad things about other kids behind their backs?
Take Action: This week, lower your expectations for how you believe others should treat you. When they fail, choose to show grace towards them. Journal about it, and talk to your life group about your experiences.
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