02 August 2026 (pm) - Matthew 18:21 - 35
Aug 2, 2026 · 35 min · 9 segments
Philip White preaching from Matthew on Sunday 2nd August 2026 at the evening service.
Aug 2, 2026 · 35 min · 9 segments
Philip White preaching from Matthew on Sunday 2nd August 2026 at the evening service.
It was C.S. Lewis, uh, that, uh, gave us those words with his usual clarity.
Everyone thinks that forgiveness is a great idea until we have something to forgive.
And don't we just recognize that tendency in our own lives? And doesn't this parable that Jesus gives in Matthew 18 illustrate that problem so clearly? There are a few interesting words from the Apostle Paul in Acts 20 in verse 35.
So interestingly, we can only presume that they were words that were passed down by, uh, verbal oral tradition.
Uh, those words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than receive." If we're honest tonight, wouldn't we have to admit that when it comes to the matter of forgiveness, we would quite gladly, uh, reverse that and say [laughs] it's more blessed or certainly more easy to receive than to give.
That's so often the case, isn't it? So just then to put this teaching of Jesus into context, Matthew 18 we find Jesus right at the end of his Galilean ministry.
It's important for us just to notice that this teaching from the Lord Jesus in chapter 18, it is directed primarily at his disciples.
Uh, we see it there right at the, uh, beginning of the chapter.
We didn't read it, but please keep your Bibles open.
It says there in the first verse, "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'" So our interpretation, our understanding of what Jesus is teaching here, it's got to be in that context of, of, of our relationships and responsibilities, uh, as fellow believers, as the community of God's people.
Jesus, in effect, is providing the benchmark for us, isn't he, uh, in regard to this issue of forgiveness as his followers? Uh, the passage that we've particularly got in view, the passage that was read for us from verse 21, it is again important to consider it in the context of the few verses that go before that, verses 15 to 20.
You might notice, uh, certainly in my ESV Bible here, uh, that from verse 15 it's entitled, "If your brother sins against you." If your brother sins against you.
I think most normal churches, it's not a case of if, is it? Uh, but probably when, if we're honest.
But that's, that's the context, uh, that we have to view it in.
You'll see in those verses between 15 and 20 that it is firmly in that context.
Verse 17, again, setting it firmly in the context of the church, the final step in that process.
Verse 17, "Tell it to the church." That's the process that's set out for us there.
Uh, Jesus is setting out in effect a, a process which is, and we must stress this, a three-step process.
Forgiveness, yes.
Yes, absolutely forgiveness, but forgiveness preceded by repentance and followed by reconciliation or restoration.
It was C.S. Lewis, uh, that, uh, gave us those words with his usual clarity.
Everyone thinks that forgiveness is a great idea until we have something to forgive.
And don't we just recognize that tendency in our own lives? And doesn't this parable that Jesus gives in Matthew 18 illustrate that problem so clearly? There are a few interesting words from the Apostle Paul in Acts 20 in verse 35.
So interestingly, we can only presume that they were words that were passed down by, uh, verbal oral tradition.
Uh, those words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than receive." If we're honest tonight, wouldn't we have to admit that when it comes to the matter of forgiveness, we would quite gladly, uh, reverse that and say [laughs] it's more blessed or certainly more easy to receive than to give.
That's so often the case, isn't it? So just then to put this teaching of Jesus into context, Matthew 18 we find Jesus right at the end of his Galilean ministry.
It's important for us just to notice that this teaching from the Lord Jesus in chapter 18, it is directed primarily at his disciples.
Uh, we see it there right at the, uh, beginning of the chapter.
We didn't read it, but please keep your Bibles open.
It says there in the first verse, "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'" So our interpretation, our understanding of what Jesus is teaching here, it's got to be in that context of, of, of our relationships and responsibilities, uh, as fellow believers, as the community of God's people.
Jesus, in effect, is providing the benchmark for us, isn't he, uh, in regard to this issue of forgiveness as his followers? Uh, the passage that we've particularly got in view, the passage that was read for us from verse 21, it is again important to consider it in the context of the few verses that go before that, verses 15 to 20.
You might notice, uh, certainly in my ESV Bible here, uh, that from verse 15 it's entitled, "If your brother sins against you." If your brother sins against you.
I think most normal churches, it's not a case of if, is it? Uh, but probably when, if we're honest.
But that's, that's the context, uh, that we have to view it in.
You'll see in those verses between 15 and 20 that it is firmly in that context.
Verse 17, again, setting it firmly in the context of the church, the final step in that process.
Verse 17, "Tell it to the church." That's the process that's set out for us there.
Uh, Jesus is setting out in effect a, a process which is, and we must stress this, a three-step process.
Forgiveness, yes.
Yes, absolutely forgiveness, but forgiveness preceded by repentance and followed by reconciliation or restoration.
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