Prayer Series 9.Forgive Us Our Debts

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Prayer Series

Pastor E. Keith Hassell

“Forgive Us Our Debts”

 

Matthew 6:9-13

I.              We have all sinned

A.               Romans 3:23 (NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

B.                1 John 1:8 (NKJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

C.               1 John 1:10 (NKJV) If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

D.               “I’m A Good Sinner” (by Eddie Martin): I have met a few people who have tried to convince me that they were not bad sinners. I met such a lady in Bluefield, West Virginia. This well-dressed woman came forward on the salvation invitation. I took her hand and prepared to give her a prayer to repeat after me. The prayer I usually give is, “Dear Lord, I know that I am a no-good sinner. I know I can’t save myself. I do need forgiveness for my awful sins. I can’t do without you, Jesus. Please forgive me for my many sins. I here and now receive You into my heart as my personal Saviour. I’ll try to live for You from this night on. I pray my prayer in Jesus’ Name. Amen!” Thousands of people seeking to be saved have prayed this prayer with me. I took this woman’s hand and began to give her the prayer to repeat after me. “Dear Lord, I know I’m a no-good sinner.” She never said a word. I looked at her and said, “Don’t you want to be saved?” She said, “Yes, Eddie, I do want to be saved, but I’m not a sinner.” “Then you can’t be saved,” I said, “Jesus only died for sinners.” “But, Mr. Martin,” she replied, “I m a good sinner.” “A good sinner! Lady, there are no good sinners. You will have to take your seat. God can’t save you until you become conscious that you are a no-good sinner and need His forgiveness.” “But, Mr. Martin, you don’t understand. I’m really not a bad sinner.” I told her to go back and sit down. She held on to my hand with a vise-like grip. Finally she looked me in the eyes and said, “Oh, please forgive me. I know I am a no-good hell-deserving sinner. I am a proud, no-good sinner. I do need Christ to forgive me of my sins.” “Wonderful! Now, lady, you are ready to do business with God.” We prayed together there at the front, thousands of people looking on. The lady came clean with God. God saved her. But she never would have been saved if she had not changed her attitude. None of us are good sinners. We are all big sinners, bad sinners. [1]

E.                Luke 18:9-14 (NKJV) Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

II.           What is sin?

A.               Sin is falling short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)

1.          “Falling short” is like an archer’s arrow missing the bull’s-eye

2.          We have all fallen short of living a life that completely glorifies God

B.                Sin is failing to live up to God’s holy standards and requirements

C.               Sin is trespassing—stepping across God’s clear boundaries for our lives

D.               Sin is a debt we owe (Matthew 18:21-35 Parable of the unforgiving servant)

E.                Two types of sin

1.          Sins of Commission (Doing what we should not)

2.          Sins of Omission (Failing to do what we should)

F.                Sin can come in many packages

1.          Words

2.          Silence

3.          Actions

4.          Lack of action

5.          Attitudes

6.          Doubt

7.          Unbelief

8.          Unfaithfulness

9.          Procrastination

10.      Disobedience

11.      Rebellion

G.               Label it “Sin”:  The late Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman used to tell of a Methodist preacher who often spoke on the subject of sin. He minced no words, but defined sin as “that abominable thing that God hates.” A leader in his congregation came to him on one occasion and urged him to cease using the ugly word. Said he: “Dr. Blank, we wish you would not speak so plainly about sin. Our young people, hearing you, will be more likely to indulge in sin. Call it something else, as “inhibition,” or “error” or a “mistake,” or even “a twist in our nature”.” “I understand what you mean,” the preacher remarked and going to his desk brought out a little bottle. “This bottle,” he said, “contains strychnine. You will see that the red label here reads “Poison.” Would you suggest that I change the label, and paste one on that says, “Wintergreen?” The more harmless the name the more dangerous the dose will be.”[2]

III.        Sin has consequences

A.               We are free to make our choices, but we are not free to choose our consequences

B.                Sin separates us from God

1.          Isaiah 59:1-2 (NKJV) Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

C.               Sin destroys Christian fellowship

1.          1 John 1:5-7 (NKJV) This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

D.               Sin robs us of God’s best

1.          Hebrews 12:14-17 (NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.”

E.                Sin brings spiritual death

1.          Romans 6:23 (NKJV) For the wages of sin is death…”

IV.       Sin can be forgiven

A.               Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross

1.          1 Corinthians 1:17-18 (NKJV) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

B.                Through confession and repentance

1.          Psalm 32:1-5 (NKJV) Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah  5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.  Selah”

2.          Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV) He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

3.          1 John 1:9 (NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

C.               Through confession and repentance

1.          Fellowship with God is restored

2.          Mercy from God is available

V.          Response to the Word  “Forgive Us Our Debts”

A.               Sin cannot be ignored

B.                Sin must be dealt with through confession and repentance


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[1]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.

[2]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.

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