Forgiven

Text: Matthew 9:1-8

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (08/26/01)

Introduction:   

“Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.”

ILLUS:  1. A man unfaithful to his wife for a time repents and is

   forgiven.

              2. Kim Bui (Forgives the pilot who napalmed her village

   in Viet Nam.

              3. A couple about to file for bankruptcy are forgiven their

   debts.

What can compare to the wonderful peace, joy and relief experienced by those who are forgiven in such manner?

Yet Christ has forgiven us of so much more!!

Briefly relate the story in our text.

There are several major themes or main thoughts in this passage.

1. Christ’s power to forgive sins.

This was the greatest of His miracles; not calming the storm, healing the sick or raising the dead.

2. The faith of those who brought their friend to Jesus.

3. The wicked unbelief of the Scribes.

4. The palsied man who is restored to health.

Sometime lost sight of is that this man was first Forgiven his sins!!

There are at least three great principles or truths about forgiveness in our text.

I. The Holy Requirements of the One who Grants Forgiveness

Or “Conditions Necessary for Forgiveness”

A. There Must be one who is a sinner and has acknowledged his/her sin.

The afflicted man in our text was deeply burdened by his sin.  How do you know?  He could never experience the joy of forgiveness otherwise!

He may have been in his present condition as a direct result of his sin (Intemperance suggested)

He may have constrained his companions to bring him to Jesus.

A person cannot be saved until he knows he is lost.  A person cannot find forgiveness without acknowledgment of sin.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What is involved in that acknowledgement?

1. Commandment

Romans 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2. Conviction

Romans 7:13  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

3. Confession

Proverbs 28:13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Psalms 51:2-4  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:………..

4. Contrition (Repentance)

2 Corinthians 7:9-10  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

B. There must be One who is both willing and able to forgive.

Forgiveness is a promise!

EXPLAIN – The Pharisees unbelief of Christ’s authority & Christ’s Vindication of His authority through the miracle.

Therefore there must be the necessary will, authority and resources to back up the promise.

If the one who makes the promise has no power to deliver the “goods”, or will to follow through the promise is of no value.

Society cannot forgive you, the Law cannot forgive you (only condemns), Religion cannot forgive you, No Man can, You cannot forgive yourself!!!

Only God can forgive!  He has done that in the person, and through the work of Jesus Christ!!

We are commanded to forgive after the example and in the same manner as Christ has forgiven us (Eph 4:32),  but we cannot forgive others to the same extent or measure of Christ’s forgiveness.

1. He is willing

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2. He is able (verses)

He had divine power (authority)

1 Peter 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Colossians 1:13-14  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Isaiah 44:22  I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Isaiah 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Micah 7:18-19  Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

19  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

ILLUS: Artifacts lying undisturbed at shipwreck site for 2000 years.  Our sins will never be meddled with again!!

Psalms 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

II. The Happy State of the one who is Forgiven

Vs. 2 – “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee”

Psalms 32:1-2   Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

A. Surpasses all other Happinesses

This was the palsied man’s ultimate happiness on this day.  It was wonderful to be healed, but that could not compare with the joy of forgiveness.

B. Forgiveness enables Happiness in the presence of difficulty

Had he not been healed, he still would have known the joy of the Lord.

Nehemiah in the day that Ezra read from the book of the law reminded the people “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

C. Happiness is a byproduct of the forgiven state

Not an end in itself. Happiness should not be our goal.

Make holiness your goal!!

Hebrews 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Not possible without forgiveness.

D. A Personal Happiness

A deeply rooted internal joy that man cannot take away.

Not dependent on external factors.

People/Circumstances/Things

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

III. The Helping Nature of those who are Forgiven

Why do we serve?

2 Corinthians 5:14-15  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Luke 7:47-48  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

A. Friendship demonstrated through willingness to be involved.

Are we willing to be involved?  To what degree are we willing to be involved?

EXAMPLES:  Neighbours / Co-workers / etc…

Proverbs 17:17  A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

B. Faith demonstrated by the direction of their help

They brought him to Jesus!

They did not recommend a new diet, a 12 step recovery program, not pop psychology; but Christ.

Jesus is the answer for the world today!!

C. Faith developed by their unwillingness to give up

Explain how easy it would have been to turn back in the face of obstacles.  But they pressed on, faith kept them pressing forward; faith and love for their friend.

Conclusion:     (Review)

I. The Holy Requirements of the One who Grants Forgiveness

II. The Happy State of the one who is Forgiven

III. The Helping Nature of those who are Forgiven