The Savior’s Standard

Dr. Jacob Hawk

Human nature seeks the least required.

We want the bottom line.

It’s easy to adopt that same mindset toward faith.

Matthew 18 unveils “The Savior’s Standard” of forgiveness.

It stretches our understanding and challenges our commitment, but it builds relationships that soar.

Key Verses:

- Matthew 18:21-35

- Galatians 6:10

Matthew 18:21-35 NIV

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?”Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.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.“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.“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.“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Galatians 6:10 NIV

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

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TIME TO STRETCH

Mark 2.13-27

Mark 2.15 (NLT) …Many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.

Mark 2.16-17 (NLT) When the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?"

When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

Jesus calls us to be stretchy. To be learners. To stay soft. To grow.

Matthew 4.18-22 (ESV) While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

1 Peter 2.2 (NLT) Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment…

Jesus didn’t come to build a fan club. He came to build a movement.

Am I willing to be stretched?

Am I open to change?

Am I open to growth?

Am I open to seeing the world—and myself—through God’s eyes?

The Gospel doesn’t require us to be perfect.

It does require us to stretch.

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TIME TO STRETCH

Mark 2.13-27

Mark 2.15 (NLT) …Many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.

Mark 2.16-17 (NLT) When the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?"

When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

Jesus calls us to be stretchy. To be learners. To stay soft. To grow.

Matthew 4.18-22 (ESV) While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

1 Peter 2.2 (NLT) Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment…

Jesus didn’t come to build a fan club. He came to build a movement.

Am I willing to be stretched?

Am I open to change?

Am I open to growth?

Am I open to seeing the world—and myself—through God’s eyes?

The Gospel doesn’t require us to be perfect.

It does require us to stretch.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

Christianity is a team sport. Whether you’re an introvert who recharges in silence or an extrovert who thrives in a crowd, one thing is true—we don’t follow Jesus alone. There are no solo disciples in the Kingdom. God places people in your life—and places you in theirs—because the Gospel doesn’t just move through sermons or scripture; it moves through relationships. Watch this message from Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D. and discover how God uses us, together, to share His story with the world.

About the series. . .

As followers of Christ, we’re called to live in this world but not be defined by it. But what does that look like in our daily lives? How do we engage with culture, relationships, and challenges without compromising our faith? In the Kingdom Come message series by Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we’ll explore Jesus’ call to live set apart, shining His light in a way that transforms rather than conforms. Each message will equip us to stand firm in our identity, make a difference in our communities, and navigate life with a kingdom perspective.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

As followers of Christ, we’re called to live in this world but not be defined by it. But what does that look like in our daily lives? How do we engage with culture, relationships, and challenges without compromising our faith? In the Kingdom Come message series by Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we’ll explore Jesus’ call to live set apart, shining His light in a way that transforms rather than conforms. Each message will equip us to stand firm in our identity, make a difference in our communities, and navigate life with a kingdom perspective.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

As followers of Christ, we’re called to live in this world but not be defined by it. But what does that look like in our daily lives? How do we engage with culture, relationships, and challenges without compromising our faith? In the Kingdom Come message series by Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we’ll explore Jesus’ call to live set apart, shining His light in a way that transforms rather than conforms. Each message will equip us to stand firm in our identity, make a difference in our communities, and navigate life with a kingdom perspective.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

As followers of Christ, we’re called to live in this world but not be defined by it. But what does that look like in our daily lives? How do we engage with culture, relationships, and challenges without compromising our faith? In the Kingdom Come message series by Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we’ll explore Jesus’ call to live set apart, shining His light in a way that transforms rather than conforms. Each message will equip us to stand firm in our identity, make a difference in our communities, and navigate life with a kingdom perspective.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise