PREPARING FOR THE SERMON

February 16, 2025

Matthew 18:21-19:12

Context:

            The boundaries of the current pericope are set thematically by a series of passages dealing with forgiveness. (There is a two-verse diversion in 19:1-2, but the longer sections relate to forgiveness.) The form of teaching takes several forms. Jesus begins with straightforward teaching. He then teaches through a parable. The third teaching section is somewhat straightforward again, but the interaction of the teaching makes use of a specific (hypothetical) situation. It results in an application of the previous teaching.

 

Structure:

18:21-22: “up to seventy-seven times.” (v 22)

18:23-35: “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” (v 35)

19:1-2: He healed them there (v 2)

19:3-12: “Therefore, what God has joined together, no person is to separate.” (v 6)

 

Key Ideas: forgiveness, God’s design, heaven(ly)

 

Some things to think about:

  • What will God not forgive?
  • What can man do to you worse than they can do to God?
  • The church answer of “forgive everyone” is easy to say (and the correct answer), but it is hard to actually do. How can you get to a place of forgiveness when you don’t feel like forgiving?