September 7, 2024

Dear Road Church Friends,

This week’s message continues the theme of forgiveness that I began last week. Forgiveness is not always easy. Nevertheless, Jesus placed forgiveness at the heart of the kingdom of God. On the cross he forgave his enemies who were standing nearby taunting him. Instead of cursing he said, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” I can’t imagine how he was able to do that. Yet that is what he asks us to try to do. Are there any limits to forgiveness? More about this tomorrow.

       SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18:21-35          SERMON: The Heart of the Kingdom

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” answered Jesus, “but seventy times seven, because the Kingdom of heaven is like this: Once there was a king who decided to check on his regional governors’ accounts. One of them was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. The man did not have enough to pay his debt, so he fell on his knees before the king. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay you everything!’ The king felt sorry for him, so he forgave him the debt and let him go. “Then the man went out and met one of his fellow servants who owed him a few hundred dollars. He grabbed him and started choking him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he said. His fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back!’ But he refused; instead, he had him thrown into jail until he should pay the debt. When the king’s other administrators saw what had happened, they were very upset and went to the king and told him everything. So he summoned the man to appear before him. ‘You worthless slave!’ he said. ‘I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to. You should have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you.’ The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount.” And Jesus concluded, “That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

A LAST PRAYER

by Helen Hunt Jackson

Father, I scarcely dare to pray, so clear I see, now it is done

That I have wasted half my day, and left my work just begun.

So clear I see that things I thought were right or harmless were a sin,

So clear I see that I have sought unconscious, selfish aims to win.

So clear I see that I have hurt the soul I might have helped to save,

That I have slothful been, inert, deaf to the calls thy leaders gave.

In outskirts of thy kingdom vast, Father, the humblest spot give me,

Set me the lowliest task thou hast, let me repentant work for thee.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

This Service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/G6yxdKtOpFQ?si=IZY8UHoxPGsVFa1q