**Read Matthew 18:15-35 and Romans 15:14–24
I. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
- Matthew 18:15-35 is great reading about forgiving our brothers and sisters. Jesus instructed us to let those who have sinned against us know what they have done so he may have the chance to ask for forgiveness and reconciliate with you. If he does not want to hear it, Jesus told us to bring more people as witnesses until he sees his fault and ask for forgiveness. Jesus commanded us to love one another and if someone does harm on us, we need to let them know and not hold grudges. By doing this, we would not have that hardened heart that might lead to gossip or revenge which are all sin. Show our compassion to our neighbors so they may see the love of God within us.
- In verses 21-35, Jesus shared the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. The King is God who forgave us when we repented of our sins. He is compassionate and just as is stated in 1 John 1:9 which read: "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The servant represents us who sometimes are offended by a friend, family, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a stranger. Maybe they had said something bad about us or have argued with us in the past, but they have tried to mend our relationship with them and have asked for forgiveness and compassion. But because we have a hard heart, we did not forgive them and even condemned them. We need to see that we, too, are not perfect and that we have committed sin against the people around us and God. God has shown pity on us when we repented and we have to show the same compassion to our brothers and sisters when they ask us for forgiveness. Let us forgive others as God has forgiven our sinful past.
II. Preach Where There is no Church
- Romans 15:14–24, Paul shared his desire to go to other places to share the gospel of the Lord with the "unreached" and non-believers. This is called the Great Commission which was written in Matthew 28:19-20,
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
We, ourselves, are called to the Great Commission. We are given the responsibility to share the gospel to everyone especially the places where Jesus Christ is not known. We have to share verses, lead bible studies, and teach everyone about God's Word and His promises so others can hear and possibly accept and be saved.
Prayer: Father, Let us be the light for the non-believers. We pray that you use us to share your Word so that everyone would be saved and experience your love. Guide us and provide us spiritual gifts that we can us in our little ministry. Father, we pray for our souls and we ask for forgiveness of our sin. We pray all these, in Jesus' name. Amen.
III. Proverbs for Today/10:1-12 (Wise Sayings of Solomon)
10 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
But righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.
4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart will receive commands,
But a prating fool will fall.
9 He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known.
10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble,
But a prating fool will fall.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all sins.
IV. Additional Old Testament Reading:
Leviticus 1-3 and Psalms 35:17-28
