The
Wonderful Forgiveness of God
Introduction
Where would we be w/o Jesus Christ? If it weren’t for Christ mankind would
be in a helpless state as far as forgiveness is concerned. The gospel is good
news! Man, by God’s grace, through
the cleansing blood of Jesus can be forgiven.
I. God is a forgiving
Father!
A.
Throughout
the Scriptures we read that God is a God who pardons.
1.
Micah 7:8;
Psa. 85:2; 1 Jhn. 1:8-10.
B.
God is
ready to give pardon to those who are willing to come to Him on His terms.
C.
God will
abundantly pardon the sinner – Isa 55:7
D.
Jesus
talks about the forgiveness of God in the parable of the prodigal son. LK.
15:11-32
E.
Numerous texts in Scripture show us the mercy of
God!
1.
Psa.
103:8-11; 145:8-9; Eph. 2:4-10
II. God will forgive the Vilest of Sinners!
A.
1 Jhn.
1:8-10 – God has promised to forgive us of all sin!
1.
Isa. 1:18
– Though your sin be as scarlet.
2.
Psa. 51:2
– thoroughly means that God will wash the sin over and over.
3.
Eph.
3:14-19 – God’s love will reach down to men in the lowest sphere of life
& in the deepest abyss of guilt!
B.
Scriptures show us example of vilest offenders
being forgiven!
1.
People on
day of Pentecost – Acts 2:22-47 – they killed Christ!
2.
Corinthian
brethren – 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – they desired to fulfill all the lusts of
the flesh b/f they were Christians.
3.
Paul
– 1 Tim. 1:13-15 – formerly a murderer of Christians!
III. When God forgives us – We Need to Forgive Ourselves!
A.
How many
of us “beat ourselves up” after we commit sin?
B.
Many try
to “pay a cancelled debt.”
C.
David forgave himself! David sinned. Terribly! 2 Sam. 11-12
1.
Psa. 51
– God forgave Him – v. 1-4; 9-10
2.
And it
seems he overcame the sense of guilt attached to the sin. Psa. 23 was written sometime after the
events in 2 Sam.
IV.
Forgiveness Does Not Take Away Consequences of Sin!
A.
David – 2 Sam. 12:13; 16:22
B.
Moses – Deut. 34:1-6
C.
Gal. 6:7-8 – Sowing we will reap. Num. 32:23- our sins will find us out!
V. Forgiveness is Conditional!
A.
Alien sinners will be forgiven upon meeting certain
conditions set forth by God. Heb. 5:8-9 – those who live in obedience to
God!
B.
Christians can be forgiven of their sin upon
meeting certain conditions.
1.
Only after a genuine repentance and…
2.
Confession of sin.
Conclusion
A.
Forgiveness of sin is ONLY found in Jesus Christ.
Jhn. 1:29
B.
Have you come to Christ to receive forgiveness?