"I Am Forgiven"

Introduction…
The incredible truth about God’s forgiveness. When does God forgive me? Does He remember to forget? Does He have amnesia? Why is it important that I know that I am forgiven?

â Have you ever done some dreadful things and then experienced forgiveness? Why is forgiveness important? What does it do for that relationship?

â Tough Doctrine Series: True Salvation -  I am Forgiven – What does it mean to live a forgiven life? How do we know we are truly forgiven? Have you ever experienced God’s forgiveness? What did that do for you??

Illustration…Matt 18.21-35…Parable of unforgiving debtor … what was wrong with the servant that Jesus was trying to get across about genuine forgiveness? What does He want us to understand about God’s forgiveness?

Exodus 33.18-23, and 34.4-9…Moses’ prayer was to see the manifest glory of God (His character, his nature, His way of relating to His creatures). He wanted assurance of God’s presence with him, Aaron, and Joshua, and also he desired to know that presence experientially.

But sadly, many still choose to pass up this gift to continue “enjoying” their sin.

Because we are finite and morally imperfect, we cannot exist and see God as He is. To see God’s back means we can only see where God has passed by. We can only know Him by what He does and how He acts. We cannot comprehend God as He really is apart from Jesus Christ (Jn 14.9). Jesus promised to show Himself to those who believe (Jn 14.21).

Notice that God did not give Moses a glimpse of His power and majesty, but of His love, mercy, and grace, compassion, and forgiveness.

1 John 1.9…God wants to forgive us – but why do we have to confess? In admitting our sins and receiving Christ’s cleansing, we are 1. Agreeing with God that our sin truly is sin and that we are willing to turn from it, 2. Ensuring that we don’t conceal our sins from Him and consequently from ourselves, 3. Recognizing our tendency to sin and relying on His power to overcome it.

Psalm 32.1-2+ David expressed joy of…

These versed convey several aspects of God’s forgiveness: forgives transgression, covers sin, doesn’t count our sins against us. Paul quoted these verses in Rom 4.7-8 and showed that we can have this joyous experience of forgiveness through faith in Christ.

God wants to forgive sinners. Forgiveness has always been part of His loving nature. He announced this to Moses (Ex 34.7), He revealed it to David,; and He dramatically showed it to the world through Jesus Christ.

Jesus not only taught about forgiveness, He also demonstrated His own willingness to forgive. Here are several examples that should be an encouragement to recognize His willingness to forgive us also.

Matthew 9.2-8…paralytic lowered on mat through roof

John 8.3-11…woman caught in adultery

Luke 7.47-50…woman anointed Jesus feet with oil

Joh 18.15-16…Peter, for denying he knew Jesus

Luke 23.39-43…criminal on the cross

Luke 23.34…people who crucified Him

Romans 4.25…when we believe, an exchange takes place. We give Christ our sins, and he gives us his righteousness and forgiveness (2Corinthians 5.21). There is nothing we can do to earn this. Only through Christ can we receive God’s righteousness. What an incredible bargain this is for us!

2 Chronicles 7.14…4 conditions for

1. Humble yourself by admitting your sins
2. Pray to God, asking for forgiveness
3. Seek God continually
4. Turn from sinful behavior. True repentance is more than talk – it is changed behavior that comes from changed thinking.

Romans 4.6-8…how to experience the joy of

âWhat can we do to get rid of guilt? King David was guilty of terrible sins – adultery, murder, lying – and yet he experienced the joy of forgiveness. We can have this joy when we:

1.         Quit denying our guilt and recognize that we have sinned

2.         Admit our guilt to God and ask for His forgiveness, and

3.         Let go of our guilt and believe that God has forgiven us.

This can be difficult when a sin has taken root and grown over many years, when it is very serious, or when it involves others. We must remember that Jesus is willing and able to forgive every sin. In view of the tremendous price He paid on the cross, it is arrogant to think that any of our sins are too great for Him to cover.

Even though our faith is weak, our conscience is sensitive, and our memory haunts us, God’s Word declares that sins confessed ARE sins forgiven (1 John 1.9).

Life Application        Luke 15.30…In this story the father’s response is contrasted with the older brother’s. The father forgave because he was filled with love. The son refused to forgive because he was bitter about the injustice of it all. His resentment rendered him just as lost to the father’s love as his younger had been. If you are refusing to forgive someone, you are missing a wonderful opportunity to experience joy and share it with others. Make your joy grow: forgive somebody who has hurt you. Be like your heavenly Daddy!