Matthew 18:21-35 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?"22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[a] 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[b]25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.26 So the servant[c] fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[d] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[e] until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
How many times? How much? When? Where? Why? These are all questions that we all ask when it comes to forgiveness. Jesus answers them all here today and in the rest of Matthew 18 which we have gone through the last two week.
How often? Answer: Every time he sins against you, whether it be seven times 77 times, or 490 times. Keep on forgiving, because that's how much God forgave you.
How much? Completely! Don't hold back. Let all the bitterness, anger, rage, and malice go. It's for your own good. It does you no good, nor does it do the other person any good, to withhold forgiveness and to hang on to the bitterness.
When? As soon as he sins. Forgive before it even begins to ruin the relationship. Forgive as Christ forgave you…. Before it even happened. Don't let the sinfulness of others get in the way of your relationship with them. God has put it out of the way with your relationship with him.
Also, don't wait till they come and say "I'm sorry". The servant in this passage could never be sorry enough. There's no amount of sorry that would've have warranted the King's forgiveness of the debt. So it is with us. We don't wait till the other person grovels at our feet. If we do, we'll be waiting forever and our own bitterness and anger will get the best of us, and then we are in danger of losing our faith and losing salvation.
Where? All over the place it says "Go". Yet, we see Paul writing letters and asking for forgiveness as well as giving forgiveness. You don't have to be physically present to "go" to someone. You can go in a phone call, a letter, an email, a text. Communication is the key!
Why? This is the key and the whole message of the Gospel reading for today and this weekend. We forgive, as we say in the Lord's prayer, as he (or because) he forgave us! It is the life of a Christian!
We pray, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive others who sin against us." What are we asking in this petition? We are, in essence, asking for equal forgiveness between God and us and us and other people. May it be so! May the Holy Spirit so work in our hearts and lives that we can and will be free with our forgiveness! If the person rejects our forgiveness that is up to the person, and may god have mercy on his soul and the Holy Spirit work so on his heart that he comes to repentance before he loses his faith completely and is cast out forever into the utter darkness of hell.
If you are to be a growing and peaceful Christian, forgive as the King has forgiven you! Don't let your unforgiveness lead you to lose your faith all together and make you end up in hell!
Prayer: Holy Spirit, give me the power and the willingness to forgive all who sin against me, because you have forgiven all of my sins. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Newsletter deadline; Pastor Holder from Concordia seminary here to meet with people who are thinking of going into church work1-6pm; Karate 6:15-7:45
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Jared Cluver; 11- Cameron Faerber
Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Roy Bohning; Sun- 8:30- Steve Robine; 11- Don Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Linda Callies; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Lay Reader- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- John Hachtel, 11- Ben Hoelscher
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Projectionist: Sat- Fischer; Sun, 8:30- McKenzie 11- ???
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Find the chapter and verses in Job that talk about the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting.
Job 19:25-27 (Thanks Don!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Find the verses where God answers Job.
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NEWS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TWO HOUR SHIFTS DURING THE DOWNTOWN FALL FESTIVAL
We will be selling homemade potato chips (Gary Hoelscher's special recipe) and funnel cakes, and handing out Gospel literature on Saturday, September 23 from 11:30-9:30. We need people to help set up in the morning (8-10), to man the booth (11:30-9:30), to help make the potato chips and funnel cakes, and to take down at night (9:30-11:30 or so). We are just asking for two hour shifts throughout the day. Please help the cause and come and enjoy the day!
Please sign up either by replying to this email or by signing the sign up sheet on the counter in the narthex at church.
Set Up- 8-10 (meet at church to load stuff up and bring downtown)—
11:30-1:30- (man booth and make chips and funnel cakes)
1:30-3:30-
3:30-5:30-
5:30-7:30-
7:30-9:30-
9:30-11:30—(take down and bring stuff back up to church)
Note: We may end earlier depending on business and traffic at our booth, but we can't get our trucks in to load stuff up until after the Little River Band concert is over.
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HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED BECOMING A PASTOR OR DEACONNESS OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS?
Rev. Scott Holder, admissions counselor from Concordia Seminary, will be here on Thursday, September 14 from 1-6pm. He is interested in meeting with students of all ages, elementary school age through adults. Appointments are individual, informal, and family/friends are welcome to come with you. Appointments are not necessary but encouraged. If you are interested in scheduling a specific time, call Pastor Holder at 314-505-7225 or email him at holders@csl.edu
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WORSHIP SERVICE VIDEO FROM SUNDAY, SEPT. 10
Enjoy and share!
https://youtu.be/NZcpfNuqAhQ
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POBLO IS IN NEED OF SUPPLIES FOR PREGNANT MOTHERS AND NEWBORNS AND FOR VOLUNTEERS
POBLO is an organization that works with refugees and immigrants in the St. Louis area. They are always in need of help, and below are two specific ways you can help. This message is from Duane Maas, mission facilitator with POBLO.
Missionary Vickie with POBLO has found that giving needed items to the refugee women who are pregnant opens doors of communication and friendship. She gives these things as gifts from God.
If there is a group or organization in your congregation/community interested in partnering with Vickie in this way, please let us know. I can imagine there will be opportunities in the future to give items to some young mothers and Vickie can use the donations to show the love of God in Christ.
We are also in need of people with the ability and knowledge to help refugees and immigrants learn how to drive.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY PART TWO THIS COMING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 AT 9:45!!!
They didn't get to all the games and fun they wanted to do yesterday so the fun and festivities will continue this coming Sunday during Sunday school! Please come and join us and bring some friends!!
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DOOR OFFERINGS THE NEXT TWO WEEKENDS TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HARVEY!
Lutheran Trust of St. Louis will match all offerings 100% up to $10,000 per congregation and $1,000,000 total through September 24.
If you bring a check, make it out to St. John's and in the mem write "Hurricane Relief". All offerings will go to LCMS Disaster Relief. This is the best way to help!
If, for some reason, you can't make it to church or would like to donate directly, go to www.lcms.org/harvey to donate and let us know that you did.
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NEW OUTREACH BOOKLET DISPLAY AT CHURCH
Our board of outreach and evangelism purchased a set of outreach booklets on all different topics of interest. They are for you to use for yourself, but also to take to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who may be dealing with the things covered in these booklets or may just have questions regarding to the faith. Please check it out and as it says, TAKE ONE…. OR TWO OR THREE!
LAY READERS STILL NEEDED ESPECIALLY FOR 11AM SERVICE!!!
If you are willing to be an integral part of worship and serve in this way, please reply to this email or call church at 456-2888! We need you!
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ALL MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN"S ARE INVITED TO KARIN KLAUSTERMEIER'S 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 6-10pm!!
PLEASE RSVP by replying to this email or texting/messaging me. 636-359-1061
It's not a surprise, because I'm no good at surprises and she always figures them out.
She would like everyone to make a donation to www.leadachild.org in lieu of gifts.
Since her favorite day of the year is April Fools Day, and she is legendary for her April Fools pranks, I would like everyone to play their favorite prank or practical joke on her that day. She will appreciate it greatly I am sure!
Besides that, there is no need to bring anything but yourself. All food and drinks will be provided.
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DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?
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OUR NEXT FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29… REFORMATION SUNDAY!! TO CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION AND THE POSTING OF THE 95 THESES BY MARTIN LUTHER ON THE CASTLE CHURCH DOOR IN WITTENBERG, GERMANY!!
It is going to be a blowout celebration! Mark your calendars today to make sure you are there to enjoy the celebration!
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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IS CANNED FRUIT. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings".
PRAYERS:
For the INFANT GRANDSON OF DANE AND JODI BALDWIN who was born twelve weeks premature. Right now he is getting some help with breathing, but all vitals and everything are good. He was born at 2 and a half pounds.
For DIANE BROCKFELD, who is recovering from a blood clot in her lungs.
For THOSE IN THE CARIBBEAN, FLORIDA, AND THE EAST COAST who are dealing with hurricane Irma.
For THOSE IN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA who are dealing with historic flooding and damage from hurricane Harvey.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he continues to fight cancer and goes through cancer treatments.
For CAL TAMELER who is HOME and is recovering from surgeries and a heart attack.
For LIL WINTER who is home, but is still awaiting test results and doctor's orders to get several procedures done.
For ANGIE BRUNSON, who is at home, but is still dealing with blood clots and an infection after a trouble from a hysterectomy.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Amman, Jordan and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
