Believing In The Forgiveness Of Sins
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 1/16/2011 AM |
Text: | Matthew 18; Lord's Day 21 |
Psalters: | 220, 235, 64, 362 |
- The need.
- The gospel is for sinners, those who have violated God’s commands and are liable to eternal punishment.
- Sin is doing what God forbids or not doing what God commands (I John 3:4b).
- All men are sinners and subject to God’s wrath (Rom. 3:10-12,23; 1:18; 2:5,6).
- Sin has three aspects: original, actual, and indwelling sin.
- True knowledge of sin is of the heart.
- God declares forgiveness as a fruit of justification.
- Forgiveness means: God pardons all the debt caused by the corruption of our natures and all our actual sins.
- The sinner is set free from his personal responsibility to bear the punishment.
- Further, God declares me to be righteous and worthy of eternal life.
- God is the author of forgiveness (Ps. 51:4; Mk. 2:7).
- The only basis for forgiveness is Jesus’ atoning work.
- The only reason for forgiveness is God’s mercy and grace.
- The extent of forgiveness: our acquittal is complete, our salvation is eternally sure (Psalm 103:10).
- The experience of forgiveness is worked by the Holy Spirit.
- Forgiveness is experienced by faith in the Christ proclaimed by the church in the preaching of the gospel.
- The preaching proclaims the life and cross of Jesus, the only Savior.
- Forgiveness is proclaimed to those who acknowledge their sin, repent, confess, and embrace Jesus.
- And forgiveness is experienced by a forgiving spirit (within the sphere of the communion of the saints).
- The knowledge of forgiveness always evokes a forgiving spirit (Matt. 6:14,15; 18:35; Eph. 4:31,32).
- One who receives God’s gracious forgiveness will be ready to forgive (Matt. 6:14,15; 18:35).