Faith Focus

Greetings friends,
I ask that as we begin our spiritual journey together we begin to take some time daily (if you are not already) to read the Scripture and pray. I thought it would be beneficial for us to focus on the same passage of Scripture for the week. This week, we will focus on Sunday’s texts (See below) If you were not present in worship on Sunday and have not yet watched it, I encourage you to do so. We are focusing on the part of the Lord’s Prayer, “As we forgive those who trespass against us.” The term “debts” is sometimes used instead of “trespasses,” and both terms point to sin. This is the other half of the sentence focused on last week, the entire phrase being “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Though each portion is significant and understanding is needed, it is also necessary to examine the phrase as a whole and the impact of the two parts working together.
The passage used on Sunday was from the book of Matthew, which is one of the Synoptic Gospels (synoptic meaning a general summary or synopsis and gospel meaning “good news”- the stories and message of Jesus). It is the first book in the New Testament and was written by Matthew, one of Jesus’ disciples who used to be a tax collector (10:3).
Format-this is a repeat from every week, and will be consistently present for anyone new and as a reminder for all. It is listed at the bottom for review and for anyone who is new to this exercise. Please remember that it is a suggestion. There is no pressure to do it in the format suggested, to do everything on the days that are listed, or to even to answer all the questions. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. If one question takes up the time because you are moved in your spirit, then stay with it. The idea of this it to spend some intentional time with the Scriptures, in the presence of God, and in prayer and reflection- in whatever way that works for you!
Scripture:
Matthew 18:15-35 (NIV)
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 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. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “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. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Other Scriptures referenced:

Matthew 5:23-24 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 6:14-15 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
DAILY QUIET TIME WITH GOD:
Monday: v.15a “If your brother or sister sins.” This is from the NIV translation, but some other translations have “If your brother or sister sins against you…” What is the difference between the two ideas? For this reflection we will focus on the latter, which is a more accurate translation of this passage (though there are many Scriptures about the importance of addressing sin among believers, even if it’s not directed toward us, as well as the roll of judgement and grace and… but that is for another day). Ask God to bring to mind a time when you believed someone else “sinned against you.” Why did you classify it as a sin? How did you determine that it was a sin? What did that action make you feel? Why- what did it spark within you? If it was anger, dig deeper- what was the underlying feeling fueling the anger? If it was hurt, why did you feel that way? What did the sin against you say to you internally, spiritually, emotionally, relationally? Did being on the receiving end of sin make you believe anything different, or reinforce any belief about yourself? If so, would you describe it as healthy or unhealthy, Godly based, or not? If you recognized that the perception about yourself changed or was confirmed in a negative way, did you do anything about it? If not, why? Ask God if there are any unhealthy beliefs you have been carrying about yourself. If something comes up, work with God through it in prayer. Ask for healing of self-image, of being a child of God, co-heir with Christ, and dearly loved. Did the sin against you make you feel or believe something different about God? If so, what was it? If it was negative, ask God for healing in this area. Throughout the week, continue to ask God to reveal to you instances when you were sinned against that may have had a lasting negative impact. Work through those moments in prayer, asking God for comfort, guidance, and healing.
Tuesday: v.15b “go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” Did having sin done against you make you believe something about the other person, even before talking with them? If so, what? Do you believe that perception to be justified, and if so, why? Did you ever find out that your initial negative perception of someone was not accurate? How did that make you feel? Did you do anything about it? Have you ever had someone accuse you of sinning against them? Were they correct? Were there times when you were rightly accused? Ask God to reveal to you the times when an accusation was correct, for times when it was done intentionally and when it was done unintentionally. Notice the feelings that come up as these moments come forward. Take time to examine them, and then consider the person who sinned against you. Put yourself in their shoes- how would you want to be treated? How would someone want their fault, the sin against you, pointed out? How would you want it pointed out to yourself? “Just between the two of you” and yet often we find ourselves telling others first, getting others involved. Have you ever done this? Why do you think there is a tendency to do this? Why do you believe Jesus stated to keep it between the two of you? Have you ever experienced when going to someone and pointing out their sin against you that it wasn’t received well? What was the negative reaction, and why do you believe that occurred? Would you do anything differently the next time something like this occurs, and if so, what? Have you had times when you were “prayed-up” before an encounter like this, and times when you were not? How would you describe the difference? “If they listen to you”- sometimes people, even ourselves, are not ready or willing to listen, especially if people are pointing out when we have done something wrong. When do you think this is? Ask God to reveal to you a time when you had a hard time hearing what you needed to hear. Work through with God why you struggled with it, and if necessary, ask for healing. From a pastoral counseling perspective, when going to someone about a sin against you it is important to do it with “I” statements. For example, “I felt….when you said/did such and such.” How is that different than blame and shame? Which way do you believe God would want you to address your brother or sister that wronged you, and why? Would doing so be easy or difficult and why? “If they listen to you, you have won them over”- especially within the faith community there would be a hope toward not only forgiveness but reconciliation. What do you think “winning them over” would look like? What would be the desired actions and feelings- at that time and moving forward? Ask God to show you times when this has happened, and thank God for it.
Wednesday: v.16 “But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’” “But if they will not listen”- have you ever experienced someone not listening to your concerns, or when you have shared that you have been hurt by them? If so, how did that make you feel? Why? Ask God to reveal to you a time when you experienced this. What did you do with the feelings that arose when that happened to you? If necessary, ask God for healing and guidance. Do you believe you have ever been the one to not listen? Ask God to show you a time that others have struggled with you and maybe even accused you of not listening. Were they right? If so, why do you believe you did not listen, did not receive the message they were giving? “Take two or three others along”- That two or three others are needed is taken from Deuteronomy 19:15, “One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” It is also referring to people who would be impartial. Why would that be important? Have you ever purposely chosen people that you knew would support your position? Ask God to reveal to you the underlying reasons for those choices- was it fear, pride, vengeance, or something else? If something arises, work with God with it in prayer.
Thursday: v.17 “If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” “If they still refuse to listen”- this could be frustrating, upsetting. What would be the impetus for continuing to reach out? Why would God want us to continue? Why is it important? Consider that the story Jesus tells immediately before this passage is the parable of the lost sheep (Matt. 18:10-14). How does that parable impact the understanding of the motivation behind this process? What is the underlying emotion that is driving all of this, if it is being done according to God’s will? “Tell it to the church”- most believe that this is not a broad-based declaration of someone’s sin to the entire community, but rather utilizing the church representatives- trusted, committed leaders. What is the difference, what would the different impact be, and which interpretation do you believe most aligns with the rest of Scripture? Which would you prefer and why? “Treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector”- the relational status shifts- but to what? Pagans and tax collectors were considered outside the family of faith, and yet Jesus ate and drank with “sinners and tax collectors,” and Matthew himself, the writer of this Gospel, was a tax collector before he became a disciple. Knowing God’s character, what do you believe this means? What are some concrete actions and attitudes toward this person that would honor God if you are no longer in a close relationship with the person? How would you want to be treated if it were you? Ask God to reveal to you if there are any actions or attitudes that you have toward others that have harmed you, when there is not reconciliation, that need to be fueled with compassion and grace. One of the greatest things we can do for someone who has sinned against us, and for ourselves, is to pray for that person and ask God to bless them. It works to change us for the better. Take some time today to lift up those that have sinned against you, which you may have negativity toward, and pray blessings over them. Then journal how you experienced that.
Friday: vv. 18-22 “18“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” “Truly I tell you” is Jesus’ way of making an emphatic statement- expanding the previous verses but remaining focused on the same issue. “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven”- is speaking of the incredible power and authority believers have! Consider that the declarations and decisions we make also carry with it a spiritual component, and so we must be aware and careful with the spiritual authority and power that we carry. This verse is often used when working in deliverance ministry, when spiritual power and authority are necessary. How does binding and loosing relate to working out broken relationships between people? How does this pertain to forgiveness, the letting go and releasing, where we take the sins, harm, pain, and we place it at the cross and leave it there? Ask God if you are carrying any unforgiveness and then ask to be empowered to take whatever caused it and to bring it to the cross and leave it there. Speak it out loud, visualize it, and maybe even do a physical action with it to reinforce it within yourself. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”- there is spiritual power in agreement through prayer! The word “agreement” in Greek literally means to “symphonize,” so imagine people together in prayer as an orchestra. Consider how the Lord’s Prayer begins with the word “our,” that it is plural throughout- forgive US as WE forgive OTHERS. All of this- binding, loosing, and agreement with others, is here in reference to a situation where unity between believers has been disrupted by sin. It is reinforcing that through the difficult process of seeking reconciliation that God is with us. It is not saying that you have to have two or three people before God will hear you, and it does not mean that God’s isn’t with us if we are alone or with more people. But it does acknowledge the upset, the need for the support of fellow believers, and that God is with us through the turmoil, when seeking God’s will. Ask God about a particularly difficult time you had with someone else, and ask that God would reveal his presence- where God was and what God was doing when the difficulty occurred. This often leads to further healing, especially if the difficulty led to any distance between you and God. Ask, listen, visualize, and maybe journal. Then thank God for his loving presence and healing. “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”” Peter was being generous- the Rabbis said forgiveness needed to only occur three times. But Jesus used a literary technique that was common, hyperbole, which is an exaggeration to make a point. This is not counting the times of forgiveness and checking it off, Jesus is saying that forgiveness is ongoing and never-ending. Ask God for strength, endurance, and grace to do so.

Saturday: The parable of the Unmerciful Servant, vv. 23-35. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like”- therefore relating to everything that had just been said, so when reading it be mindful of the reference. “The kingdom of heaven is like”- when you read the parable, what does this tell you about the kingdom of heaven? What spiritual laws are in place in God’s kingdom? Notice the hyperbole in the amount that the servant owes- an amount that could never be paid back, it is just too much. How does the king’s initial response, to put the man and his family into slavery, relate to justice for debts owed? It is interesting that the servant’s wife and children are brought in. Though the practice was customary, it is also true that sin does have a negative effect on others, especially those closest to us, such as family. The servant’s response, to fall on his knees and beg, do you see a connection to confession? If so, describe it. “The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go”- envision how this is what is done as we come to God with a great debt. To have pity on him was merciful, but that the debt was cancelled and he was let go was amazing grace! Grace is when we receive what we do not deserve- the unmerited love of God. When you think of it, how does the magnitude of that mercy and grace make you feel? Thank and praise God! Think of this as a model for how we are supposed to forgive others. The word “pity” here can also be translated as “to feel compassion”- does that change the way you view it in any way? Does it make it easier or harder to forgive others? The fellow servant owed the unmerciful servant- not as much, but still a lot. What do you perceive the unmerciful servant’s response was to being forgiven his debt by the king that he had such a severe reaction to another, choking and throwing him in prison, for not being paid what he was owed? What should his response have been with his own forgiveness in consideration? The king suggested mercy, which is not giving something that they deserve. What would this have looked like? The king responded angrily when he found out that the forgiven servant had been unmerciful to another, and handed him over to be tortured by the jailers. Again, hyperbole, but consider that harboring unforgiveness can often feel like being tortured. Describe what you have experienced with it. If it is still something you are carrying, acknowledge it. I encourage you to decide to let it go, to forgive. If this decision is made, ask God to help you through it. If you are still not ready, ask God to minister to you, bringing you closer to that decision. Ask for courage, strength, empowerment, and anything else you feel you need to move forward. Remember, God is there, loves you, and wants you to be free!

Other items:

Responsive Reading:
Leader: The Lord is compassionate and merciful
People: Through us show Your compassion and mercy
L: The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love
P: Through us show Your patience and love
L: The Lord does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve
P: Through us show Your grace
L: The Lord is like a loving father to his children
P: May we never forget the good things God does for us
All: Let all that we are praise the Lord!

Unison Prayer:
Lord, Your love is perfect
You show mercy in ways we don’t always understand
Give us Your wisdom to know Your ways
Give us Your vision to see what You see
Give us Your heart to have Your compassion
Let us be an instrument of Your mercy and grace

Song Lyrics:
Made to Worship (Chris Tomlin)
Before the day, before the light
Before the world revolved around the sun
God on high stepped down into time
And wrote the story of His love for everyone
He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember
You and I were made to worship, you and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
You and I embrace surrender, you and I choose to believe
Then you and I will see who we were meant to be
All we are and all we have
Is all a gift from God that we receive
Brought to life we open up our eyes
To see the majesty and glory of the King
He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember
You and I were made to worship, you and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
You and I embrace surrender, you and I choose to believe
Then you and I will see who we were meant to be
And even the rocks cry out and even the Heavens shout
At the sound of His holy name
So let every voice sing out, and let every knee bow down
He’s worthy of all our praise
You and I were made to worship, you and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free,
When you and I embrace surrender, you and I choose to believe
Then you and I will see, you and I will see
You and I were made to worship, you and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free,
You and I embrace surrender, you and I choose to believe
Then you and I will see who we were meant to be
Come Share the Lord (The Faith We Sing #2269)
We gather here, In Jesus name
His love is burning in our hearts like living flame
For thru the loving Son, the Father makes us one
Come take the bread, Come drink the wine, Come share the Lord

No one is a stranger here, Everyone belongs
Finding our forgiveness here, We in turn forgive all wrongs

He joins us here, He breaks the bread
The Lord who pours the cup is risen from the dead
The one we love the most, Is now our gracious host

Come take the bread, Come drink the cup, Come share the Lord

We are now a family, Of which the Lord is Head
Though unseen he meets us here, In the breaking of the bread

We’ll gather soon, Where angels sing
We’ll see the glory of our Lord and coming King
Now we anticipate, The feast for which we wait
Come take the bread, Come drink the wine, Come share the Lord
The Old Rugged Cross (UMH #504)
1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
(Refrain)

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
(Refrain)

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share.
(Refrain)

Format (this is a repeat from last week, and will be consistently present for anyone new and as a reminder for all):
Find a quiet place and time to focus on the Word, and to hear from God through it. It doesn’t have to be long, for some it will be longer than others. I encourage you, if possible, to do this practice in the morning. You will then find that God brings it to your mind throughout your day.
For greater impact I encourage you to get some paper and a pen and journal daily what thoughts and impressions God brings to mind. Write out also your own thoughts and your own prayers, making sure to leave space within your time for God’s response. Listen intently, and notice what rises up within you- what you are thinking, feeling, memories that arise and ideas that spring up. It may be something God would want you to address within yourself and/or with others. It may be something God is inspiring you to begin or end. God’s possibilities are infinite! After time, it is often beneficial to go back and read what you have written, and notice how God has been moving in your life (and praise God for it!).
Begin with prayer, quieting yourself within and opening up to hearing what God would like to reveal to you. Praise God for who he is, for loving you, being with you, and more. Then ask God to speak to you; to open your heart and mind to hear his message. (if you are journaling, you could write out the prayer)
Read the Scripture passage over twice; once as a read through, and the second time slowly, meditatively. Notice what God illuminates for you. Notice what words or ideas are “jumping off the page at you,” impacting you from the Scripture. Ask God why that is being highlighted for you. What is God saying to you? What is God asking you to say, do, change, pray about, etc.? What is the application for my life today? **Most importantly- what am I going to do about it? (If you are journaling you could write it all out, which reinforces it in a greater way)
I have put together some daily questions based upon the Scripture. You may use those, but also feel free to deviate away from it if God is leading you there. They are simply offered to prompt contemplation with God. There is much more in this passage, feel free to delve in more!
At the end of your time pray again. I recommend praying throughout, but the ending prayer would include praise, thanking God for revelation, and asking for the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal, bringing to mind God’s will. Ask God for the courage, empowerment, and opportunity to do what you have determined God is asking you to do.