WEBVTT 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:06.160 Morning, my name is Rick Aldrich. I'm another one of the elders here at Christ the King Church, 00:00:06.379 --> 00:00:12.419 and it's my privilege to bring the word for us this morning. We're going to be looking at 00:00:12.419 --> 00:00:19.059 Ephesians 4.32, as you see there in your bulletin, and as we're going to be dealing with what our 00:00:19.059 --> 00:00:25.219 forgiveness is in Christ. Forgiveness is a troubling doctrine for many, and one which Jesus 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:30.460 spent a lot of time teaching on in the scriptures. It's a topic that all believers should endeavor 00:00:30.460 --> 00:00:36.000 to understand. John MacArthur said that nearly all his counseling is spent dealing with wrong 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:41.899 thinking concerning forgiveness. A person might struggle because they don't understand their 00:00:41.899 --> 00:00:47.500 position before God that comes from forgiveness in Christ. They find it hard to believe that promise 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:54.239 in 2 Corinthians 5.17, where it says, therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 00:00:54.240 --> 00:01:00.280 The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come. They still have some of their old habits. 00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:07.200 They have their old evil thoughts. There still remains from their old life that still haunt them, 00:01:07.740 --> 00:01:12.120 and too often they believe that practice instead of believing what the scripture says 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:17.960 about their position in Christ. Also, a wrong understanding of biblical forgiveness can lead 00:01:17.960 --> 00:01:23.260 to a lot of unresolved interpersonal conflicts. Biblical forgiveness is more than mere words. 00:01:23.260 --> 00:01:29.439 It is what one who has been sinned against brings to the table to work with the one who is repenting 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:35.160 at the work of reconciliation. There are many other wrong ideas, but these are just a couple examples. 00:01:36.100 --> 00:01:40.719 As I said, our framework today is going to come from Ephesians 4.32, where Paul says, 00:01:41.240 --> 00:01:46.240 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:52.179 Today, I want to look at that end phrase. Today, how God has forgiven us in Christ. 00:01:52.659 --> 00:01:57.039 I want to remind us what forgiveness is and hopefully motivate us to want to be better forgivers. 00:01:58.539 --> 00:02:01.759 When you talk about forgiveness, most people think they know what you're talking about. 00:02:02.459 --> 00:02:06.759 And for the most part, they have a pretty good idea and would recognize true forgiveness if they saw it. 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:13.099 The problem is that forgiveness has grown to encompass other things that are completely foreign to the scriptures. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:20.980 Psychology has taken the concept of forgiveness and corrupted it, and that perversion has found its way back into the church. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:25.580 They are trying to deal with the problems of sin and guilt, which do require forgiveness, 00:02:26.080 --> 00:02:28.960 but they are rejecting the very basis of forgiveness, the gospel. 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:34.860 Objective truth has taken a backseat to emotions and left us with a convoluted mess. 00:02:34.860 --> 00:02:37.680 First, they do try to deal with guilt. 00:02:38.160 --> 00:02:41.560 People don't want to feel guilty, so they have to get rid of it somehow. 00:02:42.180 --> 00:02:46.360 One way is they try assigning it to someone other than the one who is truly responsible. 00:02:47.380 --> 00:02:52.420 So they will begin to look for something that happened in the past and use that as an excuse for the way that they are. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:56.940 Perhaps their parents or some other family member did something or maybe didn't do something. 00:02:57.320 --> 00:03:02.780 Or if that fails, they look at the culture or society around them and see if there might be something there that they can blame. 00:03:02.780 --> 00:03:05.599 Another common scapegoat is the church or religion. 00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:10.719 They would say that the church is regularly blamed for making people feel guilty, 00:03:11.340 --> 00:03:18.039 and it's the church's antiquated views on sin and morality that don't fit anymore and have afflicted this person with misplaced guilt. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:22.620 Some go so far as to call it abuse and become very hostile towards religion. 00:03:22.620 --> 00:03:28.480 Once they have a target to blame, they now have to deal with the anger issues that come from that. 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:30.180 And that's where forgiveness comes in. 00:03:30.920 --> 00:03:33.240 But it's not the type of forgiveness the Bible talks about. 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:39.120 It's more of a therapeutic process by which this person learns to just let it go and not be angry anymore. 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:43.540 It's all about taking care of self with no thought towards whom they are angry with, 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:45.599 and especially no thoughts concerning God. 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:48.000 And this leads to other problems. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:53.799 Soon, sin is being renamed and reclassified as a sickness or a disease. 00:03:54.340 --> 00:03:57.979 This leads to other therapies and ultimately distorts people's view of true forgiveness. 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:02.159 True forgiveness is no longer valued and even is deemed unnecessary. 00:04:03.579 --> 00:04:04.699 It is all about feelings. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:06.579 There is no pursuit of reconciliation. 00:04:07.419 --> 00:04:11.400 Forgiveness is a private, personal matter and allows people to avoid one another 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:13.959 rather than deal with offenses in a godly manner. 00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:18.660 Another corruption arises in that people feel the need to forgive themselves. 00:04:19.340 --> 00:04:22.120 They have done something so wrong that they can't move forward. 00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:23.379 They just can't let it go. 00:04:23.819 --> 00:04:24.040 Why? 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:28.300 Because they are not dealing rightly with the guilt. 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:32.220 They can't make it right and they can't be sure that they won't do it again. 00:04:32.840 --> 00:04:36.680 They cannot bring about any change in themselves and they won't submit themselves to God, 00:04:36.840 --> 00:04:39.600 to the God who can change them and forgive their guilt. 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:45.100 Another problem occurs when the distorted forgiveness is then projected back on God, 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:47.660 redefining how people see God's forgiveness. 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:52.580 One pastor even wrote recently that hell is full of forgiven people God loves, 00:04:52.820 --> 00:04:53.840 whom Jesus died for. 00:04:54.780 --> 00:04:58.879 Some even take it a step further and say that they may even need to forgive God. 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:04.600 Their new definition of forgiveness involves ceasing to feel bitterness and resentment, 00:05:05.060 --> 00:05:08.839 sometimes causing them to deal with their anger at their circumstances in their life 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:09.879 by forgiving God. 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:13.459 Lewis Smedes justified this approach by saying, 00:05:14.420 --> 00:05:18.439 Would it bother God too much if we found our peace by forgiving him for the wrongs we suffer? 00:05:19.159 --> 00:05:22.060 What if we found a way of forgiving him without blaming him? 00:05:22.540 --> 00:05:25.339 A special sort of forgiving for a special sort of relationship. 00:05:25.719 --> 00:05:26.319 Would he mind? 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:29.279 Well, the answer to that is yes, God would mind. 00:05:29.899 --> 00:05:32.480 God is holy and perfect and doesn't need any pardon. 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:34.939 He is the standard for right and wrong. 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:40.180 To say that God needs forgiveness is to imply that he is to blame, that he is wrong. 00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:45.300 And this is sinful, blasphemous thinking, but unfortunately becoming all too common. 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:51.360 This distortion of forgiveness has led some to conclude that God has to forgive everyone automatically. 00:05:52.139 --> 00:05:55.120 And there are many in churches today who believe that they are Christians, 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:58.100 even though they have never genuinely repented or believed, 00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:03.220 and it has hampered the church's ability to discern right from wrong and allows evil to flourish. 00:06:04.579 --> 00:06:07.180 But we must maintain the biblical concept of forgiveness. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:12.840 It is essential to proper understanding of who God is and what Jesus has accomplished on behalf of his people. 00:06:13.280 --> 00:06:16.240 And it's necessary because sin is a fatal problem for everyone. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:23.100 The Bible clearly teaches that all have sinned and are worthy of God's condemnation and his wrath leading to destruction. 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:26.680 Beginning in Genesis chapter 3, when sin entered the world, 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:31.199 as Adam disobeyed God and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:35.420 we see as history unfolds for us in Scripture that this truth is evident. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:39.139 Man left to himself will be wicked continually. 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:41.539 And the judgment is clearly spelled out. 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:43.399 The soul that sins must die. 00:06:43.899 --> 00:06:45.819 The wages of sin is death. 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:47.979 But I don't want to leave it at just that. 00:06:48.539 --> 00:06:50.839 We are experts at minimizing our own sin. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:53.659 We see sin in others and are quick to judge. 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:56.560 But when it comes to our own sin, we lose perspective. 00:06:57.579 --> 00:06:59.479 Jesus tries to remedy this in his teaching. 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:03.620 In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus called the sin that we see in others a speck. 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:06.620 And the sin we often overlook in ourselves a log. 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:11.199 And then in Matthew 18, he gives a parable called the parable of the unforgiving servant. 00:07:11.840 --> 00:07:13.959 Jesus contrasts these two debts that are owed. 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:16.800 One is so large, too big to ever be repaid. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:18.680 And one is comparatively small. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:21.220 And we are the ones with the huge debt. 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:24.500 And those who sinned against us have the small debt. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:27.060 And this is the way Jesus wants us to see our sin. 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:30.740 So the problem comes when we don't rightly see our sin 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:33.319 and that we don't rightly see forgiveness either. 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:36.399 But let's take a few moments to consider our sins more. 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:40.040 First, we often judge our sin by degrees. 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:43.399 You know, lying is bad, stealing is bad, but not as bad as murder. 00:07:44.280 --> 00:07:47.500 Then there are some sins which we barely even see as sins and even tolerate. 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:50.579 And to a certain extent, we can see a little support for this in the Bible 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:52.439 as sins are dealt with in different ways. 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:55.259 Certain sins do carry more severe consequences. 00:07:55.840 --> 00:07:58.620 And while we would say there, all sins are practiced, 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:00.120 sometimes we suggest otherwise. 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:05.180 In his book, Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges talks about certain sins 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:08.340 that we neglect to deal with on a consistent basis. 00:08:08.340 --> 00:08:12.060 Things like anger and discontentment and worldliness. 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:14.560 And some will tend to view their sins like this 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:16.340 and conclude that they are not that big a sinner 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:20.240 and, as such, will not value forgiveness very highly. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:23.579 But we need to add another component to our assessment. 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:25.360 Who have we sinned against? 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:29.240 Again, we do this somewhat on a human level. 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:33.639 We would view offenses against children and other innocent or helpless people 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:36.680 as more heinous than the sins against people who can protect themselves. 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:40.399 We are more disgusted when we hear of someone scamming the elderly 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:43.039 and even in prison with their warped sense of justice. 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:44.580 They reserve their harshest treatment 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:47.300 for those who are convicted of abuse against children. 00:08:48.920 --> 00:08:50.480 When I explain this to my children, 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:52.980 we talk about how the consequences are more severe 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:54.879 depending on who is sinned against. 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:56.620 If they break one of the house rules, 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.160 they have sinned against their parents 00:08:58.160 --> 00:09:00.600 and the consequences are proportionate to that. 00:09:01.040 --> 00:09:03.440 If they break a law, they have sinned against society 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:05.100 and the consequences are more severe. 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:07.060 Now we get to the Bible 00:09:07.060 --> 00:09:10.140 and the one they have sinned against is God, their creator, 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:12.540 the Holy One, infinite and eternal. 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:14.460 And that is the true measure of our sin. 00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:17.139 It doesn't matter that it was only a little lie. 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:19.480 It was a sin against the infinite lawgiver. 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:22.000 It may have only been a piece of fruit, 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:25.280 but God told them not to eat it or they would die. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:28.080 And if we are going to say the judgment is too harsh, 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:29.980 we are setting ourselves above God 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:31.620 and saying that we know better. 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:35.759 Some would say God sending people to hell is too much, 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:36.420 too extreme. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:39.600 And either he wouldn't do that or he does that, 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:41.720 then he's a monster, not worthy of worship. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:44.080 But let me urge you to view your sin this way. 00:09:44.580 --> 00:09:48.460 Our creator who made us has a right to demand perfect obedience. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:51.440 And when we fail, he has the right to set the consequences. 00:09:52.040 --> 00:09:54.620 And he has decreed that the soul that sins must die. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:58.580 The Bible repeatedly shows our condition before this holy judge 00:09:58.580 --> 00:10:00.840 of being condemned for our sin 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:02.600 and deserving of eternal destruction. 00:10:03.660 --> 00:10:05.120 So work back from there. 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:08.480 If hell is the verdict, then our sin is that bad. 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:10.580 It's that big against the holy God. 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:13.900 But the Bible also shows us another picture. 00:10:15.280 --> 00:10:19.160 From the beginning, God has desired to be seen as merciful and loving, 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.680 a God who forgives sin. 00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:24.120 And he also shows that he is our only hope for forgiveness. 00:10:25.040 --> 00:10:26.520 Right after Adam and Eve sinned, 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:29.220 God came and pronounced curses on them and on the serpent. 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:35.740 And to Satan, he prophesied that salvation would come from the woman's seed and defeat Satan. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:40.220 God later clarified that the seed of the woman would be Abraham's seed 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:43.580 and that through this seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:47.840 Through Abraham's grandson, Jacob, the nation of Israel was formed. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:52.200 And we see this promise to continue to be refined as we learn of the Messiah 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:55.600 throughout the scriptures from the prophets of Israel. 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:59.360 And all the while, God is teaching us that what he wants them to, 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:02.500 he's teaching them and us what he wants us to know about him. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:06.780 When Moses sought to know God more intimately by seeing his glory, 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:09.300 God revealed this about himself to Moses. 00:11:10.040 --> 00:11:13.560 In Exodus 33, I'm going to turn there. 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:15.340 If you would like to turn there and follow along with me, 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:19.879 I'm going to be looking at a few verses throughout Exodus 33 and 34. 00:11:21.780 --> 00:11:25.200 But in Exodus 33, in verses 18 through 19, 00:11:26.160 --> 00:11:26.680 Moses said, 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:28.440 Please show me your glory. 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:29.740 And God said, 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:31.840 I will make all my goodness pass before you 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:34.700 and will proclaim before you my name, the Lord. 00:11:35.160 --> 00:11:37.200 And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:39.820 and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:45.200 And then if we go down into chapter 34 and verses 6 through 7, 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.080 it says, 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:48.040 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:51.060 The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:54.820 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:57.100 keeping steadfast love for thousands, 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:00.139 forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:02.560 but who will by no means clear the guilty, 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:05.340 visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:08.340 and the children's children to the third and fourth generation. 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:12.500 So I want to see several important facts that emerge from these verses. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.580 First, in verse 7 there we see, 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:19.360 Forgiveness is an outworking of God's compassion and grace. 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:24.379 The God who forgives iniquity is the God who is merciful and gracious 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:28.160 and slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:30.879 Forgiveness is a matter of divine grace. 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:31.700 It is from God. 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:34.560 Second, because God's forgiveness is a matter of grace, 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.900 it is a gift of God's sovereign grace. 00:12:37.420 --> 00:12:41.440 God bestows forgiveness on those whom he chooses to forgive. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:43.400 None are worthy of this grace, 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:46.379 and thus no one has any claim on God's grace 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:48.960 as manifested in the forgiveness of sins. 00:12:49.540 --> 00:12:50.480 God said to Moses, 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:52.800 I will be gracious on whom I will be gracious 00:12:52.800 --> 00:12:55.320 and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 00:12:55.900 --> 00:12:58.700 So God forgives those who he chooses to forgive, 00:12:58.700 --> 00:13:01.680 and forgiveness is something which we, as guilty sinners, 00:13:01.920 --> 00:13:04.220 have no right to expect or demand. 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:08.540 Third, the grace of God in forgiving sinners 00:13:08.540 --> 00:13:10.879 in no way sets aside the justice of God, 00:13:11.140 --> 00:13:13.180 which requires the punishment of guilty sinners. 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:16.080 Some may think that they are being gracious 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:18.580 when they overlook sin, and they might be, 00:13:18.900 --> 00:13:20.040 but when they simply refuse, 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:22.520 sometimes it's just simply refusing to deal with it. 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:25.140 Many parents think they are gracious 00:13:25.140 --> 00:13:27.379 when they do not punish their children for disobedience. 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:29.320 But notice that God's grace 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:31.439 does not set aside punishment for sins. 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:35.360 It is substituted on Jesus who was punished for our sin. 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:37.519 Even at this very early point 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:39.419 in the history of God's dealings with his people, 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.639 God makes it very clear 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.879 that his grace does not mean 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:45.000 he takes a soft view towards sin. 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:47.320 God deals severely with sin. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:49.299 When he forgives men for sin, 00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:51.500 he still punishes that sin, 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:53.440 and that punishment for sin, as we shall see, 00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:56.659 is borne by our Lord Jesus Christ in our place. 00:13:58.039 --> 00:14:00.340 Finally, note that the forgiveness of sins 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:02.299 in no way removes any obligation 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:05.100 from the object of God's grace to obey God. 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:08.539 Based upon God's self-revelation of his glory here 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:10.600 and the declaration of his grace and compassion 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.779 by which he forgives sin, 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:15.000 Moses goes on to appeal to God for the Israelites. 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:16.840 Down in verse 9 of chapter 34, 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.200 he says, 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:20.480 O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes, 00:14:20.540 --> 00:14:20.900 he said, 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.580 then let the Lord go with us. 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:24.720 Although this is a stiff-necked people, 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:26.680 forgive our wickedness and our sin. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.480 Take us as your inheritance. 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:31.700 So here we see Moses pleading for divine forgiveness 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.900 for his people, 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.259 and he receives the assurance 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:36.500 that God will be present with his people 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.120 as he leads them into the land of Canaan. 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:41.420 But immediately we see the outgrowth of forgiveness 00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:43.860 is an obligation to live in accordance 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:47.279 with the covenant God has established with his people. 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.980 If we continue on in 34, 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:51.879 they're starting in verse 10. 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.279 There we are. 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.180 And he said, 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.320 Behold, I am in making a covenant 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.759 before all your people. 00:14:59.060 --> 00:15:00.060 I will do marvels, 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:01.600 such as have not been created 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:03.080 in all the earth or in any nation. 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:05.379 And all the people among whom you are 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:07.779 shall see the work of the Lord, 00:15:08.180 --> 00:15:09.399 for it is an awesome thing 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:10.700 that I will do with you. 00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:13.120 Observe what I command you this day. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:18.200 Make sure that's how far I want to go. 00:15:18.540 --> 00:15:19.960 Observe what I command you this day. 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:22.180 Behold, I will drive out before you 00:15:22.180 --> 00:15:24.040 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, 00:15:24.160 --> 00:15:26.140 the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:28.379 Take care, lest you make a covenant 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:30.860 with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:32.860 lest it become a snare in your midst. 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:34.840 You shall tear down their altars 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.800 and break their pillars 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:37.060 and cut down their ashram, 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:39.040 for you shall worship no other god 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:41.099 for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, 00:15:41.219 --> 00:15:42.099 is a jealous God. 00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:43.980 Lest you make a covenant 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.339 with the inhabitants of the land 00:15:45.339 --> 00:15:47.360 and when they whore after their gods 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.740 and sacrifice to their gods 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.519 and you are invited, 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:52.000 you eat of his sacrifice 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.219 and you take of their daughters 00:15:53.219 --> 00:15:54.879 for your sons and their daughters, 00:15:55.339 --> 00:15:56.219 whore after their gods 00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:57.939 and make your sons whore after their gods. 00:15:58.339 --> 00:16:00.079 You shall not make a name for yourself 00:16:00.079 --> 00:16:01.599 any gods of cast metal. 00:16:02.839 --> 00:16:04.120 So to be God's people, 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.879 to have God dwell in their midst, 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.379 it requires a solution for sin, 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:10.600 but it also requires a standard of righteousness 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:13.720 which serves to define just what sin is. 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:17.799 And so we see that coming to the people here in this 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.840 and it continues on. 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:22.080 We go on after that 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:23.879 and he begins to give commandments 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:25.379 about the Feast of Unleavened Bread 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:28.679 and we begin to see some of the workings 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:29.820 of the Ten Commandments 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:31.860 concerning the Sabbath and other things. 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:35.019 And these things are just showing us again 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:36.980 that there is requirements 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:40.720 that go along with this grace of forgiveness 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.579 that God shows us. 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:44.919 That work of reconciliation is still being done there. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:48.659 And we see that if sin can't be overlooked 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.899 but must be punished, 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:51.199 how can this be accomplished? 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.360 So under the Old Testament laws, 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.720 we continue to look into 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:58.399 what Moses has written down for the Israelites. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:00.779 we see that men could offer sacrifices 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:01.879 to God for their sins. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.799 In particular, 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:05.059 we think of the Day of Atonement, 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:05.920 this annual day, 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.019 which was an occasion 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:08.119 when the sins of the nation 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:10.740 were dealt for for the past year. 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.400 But the Day of Atonement 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.839 didn't really pay for any sin 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:15.460 or put away sin. 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:17.440 It simply put off divine judgment. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.299 Where we liken the sins of Israel 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.960 to a financial debt, 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:23.740 then the sacrifice that was offered 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.859 on that Day of Atonement 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:26.919 would be similar to 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:28.419 paying off the interest 00:17:28.419 --> 00:17:29.519 for the past year. 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.159 Sin was not put away, 00:17:31.419 --> 00:17:33.000 but it was put off for another year. 00:17:33.439 --> 00:17:34.279 Year after year, 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:35.199 the debt increased. 00:17:35.899 --> 00:17:36.919 And someday, somehow, 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:38.539 there must be a payment for the sin. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:39.679 And so there would be. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.379 The nation of Israel 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:43.379 very quickly began to sin against God 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:44.639 by disobeying His covenant. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.379 And over and over again, 00:17:46.439 --> 00:17:47.659 we see the Israelites sin. 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.139 And over and over again, 00:17:49.219 --> 00:17:51.059 God graciously puts up 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:53.179 with this willful and disobedient people. 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:55.320 Finally, the first generation 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:56.940 of Israelites was forbidden 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:58.320 to enter into the promised land. 00:17:58.820 --> 00:17:59.759 They died in the wilderness. 00:18:00.820 --> 00:18:01.920 And their sons and daughters 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:03.500 were about to enter that land 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:05.120 as the book of Deuteronomy begins. 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.759 The Mosaic covenant 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:08.160 is once again reiterated, 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:09.400 reiterated, 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.320 and the Ten Commandments 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:12.160 are repeated in Deuteronomy 5. 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:14.700 But there is no note of optimism here. 00:18:15.340 --> 00:18:17.200 The problem underlying Israel's rebellion 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:19.060 is the condition of the hearts 00:18:19.060 --> 00:18:19.720 of the Israelites. 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:22.380 Deuteronomy 29.4 says, 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.620 But to this day, 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:24.960 the Lord has not given you 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.980 a heart to understand 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:27.280 or eyes to see 00:18:27.280 --> 00:18:28.260 or ears to hear. 00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:29.840 And throughout the whole book 00:18:29.840 --> 00:18:30.480 of Deuteronomy, 00:18:30.560 --> 00:18:31.560 it's clear that the Israelites 00:18:31.560 --> 00:18:33.440 will not keep God's covenant 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:33.960 with them 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.880 and that the nation 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:37.620 will experience the cursings 00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.820 that are spelled out in this book, 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.360 particularly in chapter 28. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.560 And in spite of their disobedience, 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.860 there is still hope for the nation 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:45.540 because God is a forgiving God. 00:18:46.040 --> 00:18:46.960 And His forgiveness 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.560 is not based on man's worth 00:18:48.560 --> 00:18:49.040 or merit. 00:18:49.800 --> 00:18:50.200 Consequently, 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.980 Moses actually tells the people 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.220 that after they have been driven 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.200 out of the promised land 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.620 and lived in captivity 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:56.500 among the nations, 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:58.180 God will fulfill His promise 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:59.380 and bless this nation. 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:01.640 If you want to turn over 00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:02.819 to Deuteronomy chapter 30, 00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:03.920 we're going to look at a few verses 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.779 there 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:07.259 where Moses tells them this, 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:07.519 that 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:09.960 we see the promises. 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:12.039 In chapter 30 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.340 of Deuteronomy, 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.720 verses 1 through 5, 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:16.660 it says, 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.660 And when all these things 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.400 come upon you, 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.660 the blessing and the curse, 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.259 which I have set before you, 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.779 and you call them to mind 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.720 among all the nations 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.620 where the Lord your God 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:25.360 has driven you, 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:27.240 and return to the Lord your God, 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.480 you and your children, 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:29.940 and obey His voice 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:31.259 in all that I command you today 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.240 with all your heart 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.279 and with all your soul, 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.820 then the Lord your God 00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:36.120 will restore your fortunes 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:37.160 and have mercy on you. 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.779 And He will gather you again 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.600 from all the peoples 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.519 where the Lord your God 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.300 has scattered you. 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.779 If your outcasts 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:44.120 are in the uttermost part of heaven, 00:19:44.560 --> 00:19:45.800 from there the Lord your God 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.500 will gather you, 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:47.960 and from there He will take you. 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.460 And the Lord your God 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.659 will bring you into the land 00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:52.000 that your fathers possess, 00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:53.220 that you may possess it, 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.480 and He will make you 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.740 more prosperous and numerous 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.539 than your fathers. 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:59.139 So we see God promises 00:19:59.139 --> 00:20:00.299 to bring about these promises 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.139 to these people 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:02.399 when they have repented 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:03.519 and returned to Him. 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.960 He goes on to indicate 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.720 that the repentance 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.819 of the Israelites 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:08.519 is a result of His work 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.379 in their hearts, 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.440 giving them a new heart 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.819 which seeks to please Him 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.619 and which loves 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.519 to keep His commandments. 00:20:13.659 --> 00:20:14.899 We see this in 6 through 10. 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.039 It says, 00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:17.039 And the Lord your God 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:18.319 will circumcise your heart 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:19.779 and the heart of your offspring 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:21.200 so that you will love 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.919 the Lord your God 00:20:21.919 --> 00:20:22.779 with all your heart 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.819 and with all your soul 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:25.079 and that you may live. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.639 And the Lord your God 00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:27.859 will put all these curses 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.619 on your foes 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.119 and enemies 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.139 who persecuted you. 00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:31.539 And you shall again 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:33.079 obey the voice of the Lord 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:34.319 and keep all His commandments 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.480 that I command you today. 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.159 The Lord your God 00:20:37.159 --> 00:20:38.559 will make you abundantly prosperous 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:40.039 in all the work of your hand, 00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:41.299 in the fruit of your womb 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:42.899 and in the fruit of your cattle 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:44.240 and in the fruit of your ground. 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.700 For the Lord again 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.420 will take delight 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.319 in prospering you 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.160 as He took delight 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.880 in your fathers. 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.539 When you obey the voice 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.519 of the Lord your God 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.519 to keep His commandments 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.539 and His statutes 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.440 that are written 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.539 in this book of the law, 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:56.480 when you turn 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.420 to the Lord your God 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.319 with all your heart 00:20:58.319 --> 00:20:59.579 and with all your soul. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:01.359 When we look carefully 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:03.339 at the words there next 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.180 that He says, 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:04.660 I mean, 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.779 we see Him given this heart, 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.359 but we also, 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.039 I think, 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:10.240 need to make a crucial observation 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.099 as we go on 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:13.059 and read the next few verses. 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.519 Beginning in 11, 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:14.939 it says, 00:21:15.439 --> 00:21:16.379 For this commandment 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:17.379 that I command you today 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.579 is not too hard for you, 00:21:18.959 --> 00:21:20.079 neither is it far off. 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.659 It is not in heaven 00:21:21.659 --> 00:21:22.419 that you should say, 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:24.480 Who will ascend to the heaven for us 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.579 and bring it to us 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:27.139 that we may hear it and do it? 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:29.079 Neither is it beyond the sea 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.980 that you should say, 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.740 Who will go over the sea for us 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.459 and bring it to us 00:21:32.459 --> 00:21:33.740 that we may hear it and do it? 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.799 But the word is very near you. 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:37.039 It is in your mouth 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.799 and in your heart 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:39.139 so that you can do it. 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:40.520 We see here, 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:42.000 He calls it the commandment. 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.560 It is just one commandment. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:45.259 It is not ten or more. 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:47.060 And this one commandment 00:21:47.060 --> 00:21:47.940 that is being commanded, 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.740 He says that this commandment 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.820 is not too difficult. 00:21:51.540 --> 00:21:52.800 And so what is this one commandment? 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:56.020 It is in effect 00:21:56.020 --> 00:21:58.259 when you turn to the Lord your God 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.160 with all your heart 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:00.560 and with all your soul. 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.259 We see that in verse 10. 00:22:03.580 --> 00:22:05.200 So if the law were to be summed up 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.100 in one commandment, 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:06.680 what would it be? 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:08.520 And we know that answer from Scripture. 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:10.000 Matthew 22, 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:13.539 Jesus is with the Pharisees 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.259 and the Sadducees 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.220 and it says in 22, 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:17.319 starting in verse 34 through 38, 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:17.720 it says, 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.279 But when the Pharisees heard 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.879 that He had silenced the Sadducees, 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.819 they gathered together. 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.259 And one of them, 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:23.799 a lawyer, 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:26.480 asked a question to test Him. 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.799 Teacher, 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.579 which is the greatest commandment 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:30.059 in the law? 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.639 And He said to Him, 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.539 You shall love the Lord your God 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.420 with all your heart 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.539 and with all your soul 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.559 and with all your mind. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.859 this is the great 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:39.019 and first commandment. 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.200 And so when we break 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.539 this greatest of commandments, 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:44.700 we are the greatest of sinners. 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:47.319 The commandments of the Lord 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.720 found in the law here 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.480 are impossible for men to keep. 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.740 And to avoid, 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:54.359 it's impossible for men to keep 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.079 to avoid sin 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:56.200 or to bring about 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.299 the forgiveness of sins. 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:59.339 This is what the Israelites are told. 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.720 And history has shown 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.619 that God's people 00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.700 cannot keep the law. 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:04.259 If they suppose 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.960 their law keeping 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.340 will bring about God's blessings 00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:07.340 and assure them 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:08.140 of God's forgiveness, 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:08.920 they are wrong. 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.759 Attempts at law keeping 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:12.279 only prove men 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.279 to be guilty sinners 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.240 worthy of death. 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:16.160 So because the forgiveness 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.640 of sins 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.299 was not something 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.220 men could bring about, 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.460 these men of God 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.360 began to look forward 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:21.140 to a time 00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:22.240 when God would accomplish 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.980 this task. 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.500 All through the rest 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.220 of the Old Testament, 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.420 this theme would be developed 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.819 as we see the outworkings 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.360 of the covenant 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:29.580 made with Moses 00:23:29.580 --> 00:23:30.819 and the eventual promise 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.000 of even a new covenant. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.359 Finally, 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.759 in the fullness of time, 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:36.119 God sends his son, 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.460 the one promised 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.319 in Genesis 3, 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.039 the seed who will come 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.920 to deal with the problem 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.279 of sin. 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.619 He sends the Messiah, 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.480 the promised one. 00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.819 He comes to fulfill 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.740 God's promise 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.819 to forgive men's sins 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.460 and to create 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.359 a new heart within. 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.680 From the beginning 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.319 of his ministry, 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.119 Jesus showed that 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.640 his mission 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.960 was to forgive sins. 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:53.920 Why don't you turn 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.960 with me to Luke 5. 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.079 We're going to look 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:59.339 at verses 17 through 26. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:04.720 Let me read that to us. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.619 And one of those days, 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.539 as he was teaching, 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.839 Pharisees and teachers 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.279 of the law 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.019 were sitting there 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.940 who had come 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.740 from every village 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.859 of Galilee and Judea 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:14.700 and from Jerusalem. 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.420 And the power of the Lord 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.400 was with him to heal. 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:18.779 And behold, 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.960 some men were bringing 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.500 on a bed 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.779 a man who was paralyzed. 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.059 And they were seeking 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.900 to bring him in 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:25.240 and lay him before Jesus, 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.779 but finding no way 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.539 to bring him in 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.500 because of the crowd. 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:30.019 They went up on the roof 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.819 and let him down 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.799 with his bed, 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.819 through the tiles, 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.460 into the midst 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.240 before Jesus. 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:35.920 And when he saw 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.420 their faith, 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:36.839 he said, 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.480 Man, 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:38.940 your sins are forgiven you. 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.500 And the scribes 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.119 and the Pharisees 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.900 began to question, 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.299 saying, 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.200 Who is this 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.400 who speaks blasphemies? 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.980 Who can forgive sins 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.819 but God alone? 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.579 When Jesus perceived 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.099 their thoughts, 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.839 he answered them, 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.299 Why do you question 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:51.940 in your hearts? 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.480 Which is easier to say, 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.460 your sins are forgiven, 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.359 or to say, 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:56.140 rise and walk? 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:58.200 But that you may know 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:59.080 that the Son of Man 00:24:59.080 --> 00:25:00.100 has authority on earth 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:00.940 to forgive sins, 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:02.240 he said to the man 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.880 who was paralyzed, 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.280 I say to you, 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.440 rise up, 00:25:05.580 --> 00:25:06.220 pick up your bed, 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.800 and go home. 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.680 And immediately 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.880 he rose up before them 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.420 and picked up 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:10.520 what he had been lying on 00:25:10.520 --> 00:25:11.620 and went home, 00:25:12.020 --> 00:25:12.940 glorifying God. 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.380 And amazement seized 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.800 them all, 00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:15.820 and they glorified God 00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:16.800 and were filled with awe, 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.160 saying, 00:25:17.560 --> 00:25:18.160 We have seen 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.540 extraordinary things today. 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.140 Jesus' actions 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:24.220 and words here 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.759 in Luke 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:26.359 are truly remarkable. 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.180 And he boggled the minds 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.720 of those who understood 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:31.019 the implications 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.980 of what he was doing. 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.799 If we have learned anything 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.900 from the Old Testament, 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.619 it is that God alone 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.700 can forgive sins. 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.539 God's solution for sinners 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.680 was the coming of the Messiah 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:42.240 who would bear the sins of men. 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:44.160 When Jesus was confronted 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.900 with the paralytic 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.700 lowered through the roof, 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.720 he did not deal 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:48.119 with his physical problem first, 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.559 but rather he dealt 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:52.180 with his greater spiritual dilemma, 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.000 his sins. 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:55.539 When Jesus told this man 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.759 that his sins were forgiven, 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:58.460 Jesus claimed far more 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.579 than the people expected. 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.240 A mere man, 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.180 perhaps a prophet, 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.799 might be able to cast out demons 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:05.140 or perform miracles of healing, 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.660 but only God 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.559 can forgive sins. 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:09.299 When Jesus healed this man 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.619 and forgave him 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.319 of his sins, 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.680 Jesus boldly proclaimed 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.680 that he was the Messiah, 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.140 the one who had come 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.720 to accomplish 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.839 the forgiveness of sins 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:18.220 and eternal salvation. 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.839 It is he who can 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.819 and will change 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.619 the hearts of men 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:24.139 to love God and men. 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:28.339 So then as we come 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.279 to the time for our Lord 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.619 to be crucified for our sins, 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:32.179 he spoke these words 00:26:32.179 --> 00:26:32.899 to our disciples 00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.759 which we heard earlier 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.599 as he instituted 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.259 the Lord's Supper. 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.639 In Matthew 26, 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:37.980 it says, 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.860 now as they were eating, 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.380 Jesus took bread 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:41.620 and after blessing, 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.720 he broke it 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.819 and gave it to the disciples 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.319 and said, 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.259 take, eat, 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.200 this is my body. 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.620 And he took a cup 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:48.839 and when he had given thanks, 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.880 he gave it to them saying, 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:50.980 drink of it, 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.519 all of you, 00:26:51.860 --> 00:26:53.039 for this is my blood 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.599 of the covenant 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.900 which is poured out for many 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:56.720 for the forgiveness of sins. 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.920 The forgiveness of sins 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.740 has been accomplished 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.799 once and for all 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.940 by the sacrifice 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.860 of Jesus Christ 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:04.339 on the cross of Calvary. 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.960 He was sinless, 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.400 yet he bore our sins. 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:09.080 So that we might be forgiven. 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.900 God did not overlook our sins 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:13.880 but he punished them in Christ. 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.720 The good news of the gospel 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.840 is that those who believe 00:27:16.840 --> 00:27:17.720 in Jesus Christ 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:19.400 can have their sins forgiven. 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.280 Later after he rose 00:27:23.280 --> 00:27:24.880 from the dead, 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:26.460 he's walking with a couple disciples 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:27.700 on the road to Emmaus 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.420 in Luke 24 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.860 and it says that 00:27:29.860 --> 00:27:30.920 he opened their minds 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:32.259 to understand the scriptures 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.080 and said to them, 00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:34.340 thus it is written 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:36.380 that the Christ should suffer 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.280 and on the third day 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.220 rise from the dead 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.420 and that repentance 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.720 and forgiveness of sins 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.859 should be proclaimed 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.420 in his name 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.240 to all the nations 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.639 beginning from Jerusalem. 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.980 You are the witness 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:47.019 of these things. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.420 And so we see Jesus 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.099 just telling us 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:50.319 this is what the gospel is. 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.559 Preaching repentance 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:53.259 and the forgiveness of sins 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.500 starting in Jerusalem 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.460 to all the nations. 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.720 And so this is the gospel 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.420 that we preach 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.980 and seek to spread. 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.859 The forgiveness of sins 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.379 is not man's work 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.019 but God's. 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.579 And in Acts 5.31, 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:06.519 Peter also announces 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.679 that God not only grants 00:28:07.679 --> 00:28:08.679 the forgiveness of sins 00:28:08.679 --> 00:28:09.980 but also repentance. 00:28:10.919 --> 00:28:11.960 Men are to repent 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:13.019 but it is God 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:14.399 who brings men to repentance. 00:28:15.159 --> 00:28:16.119 Salvation is wholly 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.839 the work of God 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.519 and not of men. 00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:19.079 Forgiveness of sins 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:20.699 is entirely God's work 00:28:20.699 --> 00:28:21.799 and all we must do 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.419 to receive it 00:28:22.419 --> 00:28:23.019 is to repent 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.659 and believe in Jesus Christ 00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.619 to trust in his 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:27.899 sacrificial death, 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:28.199 burial, 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.799 and resurrection. 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.639 Forgiveness of sins 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:31.399 is impossible 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:33.000 for men to accomplish. 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:34.320 But God has accomplished 00:28:34.320 --> 00:28:35.240 the impossible 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.700 through Jesus Christ. 00:28:37.840 --> 00:28:38.840 In order to receive 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:39.320 this forgiveness 00:28:39.320 --> 00:28:40.280 we need to confess 00:28:40.280 --> 00:28:40.860 our sins. 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.980 That is to agree 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.900 with God's judgment 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.820 on them 00:28:43.820 --> 00:28:44.940 and the fact that 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.500 we are deserving 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.380 of eternal wrath. 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.860 And then when Jesus 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.780 died on the cross 00:28:48.780 --> 00:28:49.660 to pay for our sins 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.880 we need to understand 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.960 that he did indeed 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.560 pay for them. 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.759 All of them. 00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:55.480 1 John 2.2 says 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.800 that he is the propitiation 00:28:56.800 --> 00:28:57.600 for our sins 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:59.360 and not for ours only 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.400 but also for the sins 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:01.120 of the whole world. 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:03.140 He died for every 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:04.360 single one of our sins 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:05.840 and he provided 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:07.140 the payment for those. 00:29:07.560 --> 00:29:08.880 1 John 1.9 says 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:10.420 if we confess our sins 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:12.019 he is faithful and just 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:13.500 to forgive us our sins 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.340 and to cleanse us 00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:15.519 from all unrighteousness. 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.640 Jesus paid for all 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.740 the sins of all of us. 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:20.900 Just before he died 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:21.460 on the cross 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.920 Jesus cried out 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:24.000 it is finished. 00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:25.620 He used a Greek word there 00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.560 that had to do 00:29:26.560 --> 00:29:27.040 with commerce 00:29:27.040 --> 00:29:28.380 but the meaning of it 00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:29.060 was the debt 00:29:29.060 --> 00:29:29.820 has been paid 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.500 in full. 00:29:31.540 --> 00:29:32.360 All of our sins 00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:33.420 were atoned for 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:33.980 by the death 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.020 of Jesus on the cross 00:29:35.020 --> 00:29:36.360 and this has great 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:37.440 implications for us. 00:29:38.020 --> 00:29:39.120 That means when we ask 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:40.040 the Lord to forgive 00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:40.580 our sins 00:29:40.580 --> 00:29:41.200 he does. 00:29:42.040 --> 00:29:42.940 He is faithful 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.560 and righteous 00:29:43.560 --> 00:29:44.240 to forgive us 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.720 our sins 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.780 and he forgives us 00:29:45.780 --> 00:29:46.860 in some marvelous ways. 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.400 Let me just detail these 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:50.300 as we close our time today. 00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:51.960 First he forgives us 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.500 graciously. 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.260 That is again 00:29:54.260 --> 00:29:55.360 we don't deserve it. 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:57.319 God did not forgive us 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:58.259 because we were good. 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.759 Romans 5.8 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.740 says that it is 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.959 while we were yet sinners 00:30:01.959 --> 00:30:03.539 Christ died for us. 00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:04.919 He forgives us 00:30:04.919 --> 00:30:06.019 because he is gracious 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:07.259 which means that 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:07.959 he treats us 00:30:07.959 --> 00:30:09.459 far better than we deserve. 00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:11.819 He also forgives us 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.119 freely. 00:30:13.459 --> 00:30:14.459 God does not make us 00:30:14.459 --> 00:30:15.419 earn our forgiveness 00:30:15.419 --> 00:30:16.899 by doing some great deed. 00:30:17.699 --> 00:30:18.719 Forgiveness is not cheap. 00:30:19.219 --> 00:30:19.679 It costs 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:21.199 the unimaginable price 00:30:21.199 --> 00:30:22.039 of the death 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:22.759 of the Son of God 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.339 on the cross 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:24.740 but it is free to us. 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.559 We don't have to pay 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.379 anything for it. 00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:28.419 The gift of God 00:30:28.419 --> 00:30:29.240 is eternal life 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.919 as it tells us 00:30:29.919 --> 00:30:31.019 in Romans 6.23. 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.779 He forgives us freely. 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:35.240 He also forgives us deeply. 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.339 No matter what our sin 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:38.379 he forgives us. 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.439 It doesn't matter 00:30:39.439 --> 00:30:40.419 what sin you have committed 00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:41.459 God will forgive you. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.500 King David was an adulterer 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:43.959 and a murderer 00:30:43.959 --> 00:30:44.479 and a liar 00:30:44.479 --> 00:30:45.719 and God forgave him. 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.839 The Apostle Paul 00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:49.039 said he was a blasphemer 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.219 and God forgave him. 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:52.119 Peter denied three times 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.099 that he even knew Jesus 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:54.419 and God forgave him. 00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.840 Paul said in 00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:57.640 1 Corinthians 6.9-11 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:59.320 speaking of adulterers 00:30:59.320 --> 00:31:00.120 homosexuals 00:31:00.120 --> 00:31:01.000 thieves and drunkards 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:03.000 that such were some of you 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.220 but you were washed. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.140 He indicated that 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.880 all these sins 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:07.560 can be forgiven. 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.720 So do you have anything 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:10.120 worse on your spiritual resume? 00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:12.160 Not likely. 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.940 He can pay for all 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.779 he has paid for all 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.279 these sins. 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.900 It says in John 1.9 again 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:17.720 1 John 1.9 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.600 The blood of Jesus 00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:19.180 his son 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:20.180 cleanses us 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:21.080 from all sin. 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.620 There is no sin 00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:23.279 you have committed 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.559 that God will not forgive 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.439 if you bring it to him. 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:27.219 We can take comfort 00:31:27.219 --> 00:31:27.679 in that. 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.879 He forgives us deeply. 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.699 That means no matter 00:31:30.699 --> 00:31:31.439 what the sin 00:31:31.439 --> 00:31:32.879 we can thank God 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:33.899 for forgiving us. 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:35.459 And not only that 00:31:35.459 --> 00:31:36.519 he also forgives us 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.039 repeatedly. 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:39.199 Again here we can claim 00:31:39.199 --> 00:31:40.119 1 John 1.9 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:40.739 which says 00:31:40.739 --> 00:31:42.000 if we confess our sins 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.139 he is faithful 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:43.659 and righteous 00:31:43.659 --> 00:31:45.059 to forgive us our sins. 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.359 The word faithful 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:47.319 means that he will do it 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:47.899 every time. 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.639 He forgives us repeatedly. 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:51.039 Just think of it. 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.579 Jesus commanded Peter 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.879 that we are to forgive 00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:54.319 our brothers 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.440 70 times 7 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.299 then we know 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.799 that he will do 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.940 the same thing for us. 00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:01.460 He is not asking us 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.099 to do something 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:02.980 which he himself 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.759 will not do. 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.299 And that's good news. 00:32:05.379 --> 00:32:05.920 How many of us 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.559 have had to avail 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.779 ourselves of him 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:09.180 as his repeated 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.259 forgiving grace 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.259 for the same sin 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.339 over and over? 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.759 How many times 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.539 do you have to ask God 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.059 to forgive you 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:16.279 for words that we say? 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.180 Or how many times 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.879 do you have to come back 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.559 to him in prayer 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.859 for the same anger? 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:21.379 Or for not doing 00:32:21.379 --> 00:32:21.819 what you knew 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.459 you should have done 00:32:22.459 --> 00:32:22.859 or whatever 00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:24.759 your besetting sin is? 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:25.839 Thank God 00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:26.899 that there is no limit 00:32:26.899 --> 00:32:28.000 on his forgiveness 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.699 of us. 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.679 So as I close today 00:32:30.679 --> 00:32:31.659 I just want to invite you 00:32:31.659 --> 00:32:32.679 again as Ben did 00:32:32.679 --> 00:32:33.979 if you have not already 00:32:33.979 --> 00:32:35.459 received the forgiveness 00:32:35.459 --> 00:32:36.019 from God 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:37.299 and maybe God 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.959 is showing you 00:32:37.959 --> 00:32:39.179 that your sin 00:32:39.179 --> 00:32:40.459 is worthy of condemnation 00:32:40.459 --> 00:32:41.279 and even death 00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:42.119 understand that 00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:43.079 it's not too big. 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:44.859 I urge you 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.219 repent 00:32:45.219 --> 00:32:45.979 and believe 00:32:45.979 --> 00:32:46.939 in Jesus Christ 00:32:46.939 --> 00:32:47.639 that Jesus Christ 00:32:47.639 --> 00:32:48.500 paid that price 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.339 on the cross 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.440 and that if you 00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:51.539 turn to him 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.400 God will forgive you 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:52.839 today. 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:55.059 God in Christ 00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.920 has forgiven us 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.940 so let us thank him 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.660 and praise him 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.579 for this great gift. 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.880 Join me in prayer. 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.880 Dear Heavenly Father 00:33:04.880 --> 00:33:05.660 we do confess 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:07.740 that we are 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.319 great sinners. 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.980 You are a great God 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.559 and we have sinned 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.160 against you 00:33:11.160 --> 00:33:12.500 and Father 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.119 we do not even 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:13.640 comprehend 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:15.339 what that means fully 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.659 but Father 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.139 help us 00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:18.500 to continually 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.079 understand 00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:20.159 what a great 00:33:20.159 --> 00:33:20.519 forgiveness 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.539 you have shown us. 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:23.759 Father 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.399 I just 00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:25.399 again thank you 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:25.919 that you have 00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:26.459 revealed this 00:33:26.459 --> 00:33:27.959 to us in the word 00:33:27.959 --> 00:33:29.019 that you have 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.599 sent your son 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:30.240 Jesus Christ 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:30.699 to die 00:33:30.699 --> 00:33:31.240 as a payment 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:31.759 for sin 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.939 that you raised 00:33:32.939 --> 00:33:33.559 him from the dead 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.059 showing that 00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.519 that payment 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.199 was accepted. 00:33:36.199 --> 00:33:36.279 Father 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:36.839 I pray that 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.339 even now 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:38.099 if you are 00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:38.799 convicting some 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.759 of their sin 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.199 and their need 00:33:40.199 --> 00:33:40.679 for forgiveness 00:33:40.679 --> 00:33:41.299 I pray that you 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:42.019 would do that work 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:43.159 in their lives 00:33:43.159 --> 00:33:43.539 and that you 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.119 would cause them 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:44.779 to turn to you 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.240 in repentance 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:45.599 today 00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:46.759 and believe 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.559 and that you 00:33:47.559 --> 00:33:48.339 might forgive them. 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:49.599 Father 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.180 continue to be 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:50.500 with us 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.599 as we worship 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:52.299 and think 00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:53.119 on this great gift 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:53.539 and we pray 00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:53.920 these things 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.619 in Jesus name 00:33:54.619 --> 00:33:55.240 Amen.