0312 New Year's Resolutions [strike that] Regrets
Title: New Year’s Resolutions Regrets or As We Forgive
Incorporates some of “Rainy Day Forgiveness” article and 9615 “Show Me the Money”
Text: The Lord’s Prayer (SDA Hymnal #834) OR
Lk 24:36-49
File Categories: Forgiveness, Holidays/New Year, Jesus, Life and Death of
Central Thrust: We must rely on God for the strength to do what we cannot, e.g. forgive.
Ill: Libya reinvolvement with world community, or Malvo or S Africa
Hym: The Lord’s Prayer
Theological Concern: Forgiveness, Grace
Point of Immediacy: New Year, Forgiveness
Probs in Comm: Subject too broad
Sermon in a Sentence: God grants the power to forgive
Attribute of God: Grace
Preached: 031227 Silver Spring
040228 Palm Springs, WWC Alumni
050312 Chehalis SDA church, evangelistic meeting Sat night
051108 SoCal Conf minister’s meeting
New Year’s Resolutions Regrets
I. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”
A. World is full of tension, anger, resentments.
B. 15 years ago this month PanAmerican passenger plane was blown out of the sky over Lockerbie, Scotland. Two hundred seventy people died.
1. President Bush’s remarks about Moammar Gaddafi announcing a willingness to stop attempts to develop WMDs and allow random, unannounced inspections.
2. Remarkable illustration of forgiveness.
3. That level of generosity not shared by some of the survivors of Lockerbie victims.
4. Where does forgiveness fit in this circumstance?
C. Lee Boyd Malvo sentencing to life in prison without the possibility of parole didn’t please everyone either.
1. Families of some victims thought he should die.
2. Members of the accomplice John Muhammad’s jury, who gave him a death sentence, thought Lee Malvo deserved the same.
3. Where does forgiveness fit in this story?
D. I have had the need to forgive too.
1. Shannon murdered 6 ½ years ago and Anthony Robinson is in Jessop for life without the possibility of parole.
a. What is my Christian duty toward him?
b. Must I forgive him for what he has done to us?
2. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”
a. Even if I wanted to, could I?
b. Would I be able, by strong will and soft heart, forgive Anthony?
II. I want to remind you:
A. How hard we try to be what we wish to be and do what we wish to do.
B. How impossible it is for us to do and be what we wish.
C. How crucial it is for us to rely entirely on God to make us successful.
D. What good news God shares with us about our ability to be forgiving persons.
III. Resolutions: how hard we try to be what we wish to be and do what we wish to do.
A. Have you made some?
1. e.g.s food, exercise, kindness, patience, discipline with study or work, devotional activities, etc.
2. Ropes of sand!
B. Express our hopes for the future.
1. Often cover up past failure.
2. Way to manage our guilt by resolving to improve.
C. Trap: presumes we can be successful, we can take care of ourselves!
1. Human beings are never in more trouble than when they believe THEY can do something, ANYTHING, that they can take care of themselves.
IV. Peter’s denials.
A. Human trap of self-sufficiency sucked in Peter and the disciples.
Jesus Predicts Peters Denial
27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:
”‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ a
28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
30 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice b you yourself will disown me three times.”
31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. [1]
1. You know the story well—three specific times Peter went out of his way to deny any connection with Jesus.
2. Later he felt terrible about what he had done.
a. Recognized his failure.
b. Felt horribly guilty.
V. My guilt re Anthony.
A. God rescued me from early anger.
B. Rage when he appealed his sentence the following spring.
C. John Cress sermon:
1. “They will know you are Christians by your love.”
2. “Love your enemies . . .”
3. I could not do what my Lord asked of me!
D. Resolutions, will, discipline, nothing would make happen what I wished.
VI. God gives the answer to guilt through Jesus!
A. Setting of Lk 24: disciples demoralized, just heard the report of the two disciples who walked to Emmaus with Jesus.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. [2]
B. Especially vs 47: “repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name . . .”
C. God doesn’t leave us guilty.
1. Guilt is a precursor to the gifts of repentance and forgiveness.
2. Peter, in his sermon in Jerusalem said (Ac 5:30-32)
30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” [3]
VII. Peter’s forgiveness.
A. Jesus had pointed toward this forgiveness by requesting a meeting in Galilee. (Mk 14:28): “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
B. Jesus saw to it that the offender Peter was forgiven and reinstated.
C. Jn 21:15-17
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.[4]
1. Strange conversation, until you recognize that Jesus asked Peter to state his allegience the same number of times he had denied Jesus.
2. Jesus gave Peter the responsibility of taking care of Jesus’ people.
3. This is why Peter could so clearly state later on that Jesus gives repentance and forgiveness to those who will accept it!
VIII. My forgiveness.
A. Low point—recognized my inabilities.
B. High point—remembered that God loved us while we were still sinners!
C. It was for ME Jesus died!
1. It was because I couldn’t love Anthony that He rescued me!
2. It was because I could not forgive that he forgave me!
3. It was because I could not forgive that he offers to me repentance and forgiveness!
D. Theme song: “In His Love and In His Pity”
IX. How can I forgive others?
A. I can’t!
B. I can give my inability to God.
1. Does not mean there is no responsibility for evil.
2. Does not mean we should trust those who have proved themselves untrustworthy.
3. Does mean we can give our resentful, vengeful, angry inner selves to God.
C. God can take care of our enemies!
D. God can take care of us too!
EGW, Steps to Christ, p. 73.
Even John, the beloved disciple, the one who most fully reflected the likeness of the Savior, did not naturally possess that loveliness of character. He was not only self-assertive and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injuries. But as the character of the Divine One was manifested to him, he saw his own deficiency and was humbled by the knowledge. The strength and patience, the power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness, that he beheld in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with admiration and love. Day by day his heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. His resentful, ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ. The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart. The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus. When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Christ’s Spirit, His love, softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven.
E. God can give me repentance and forgiveness!
1. I believe God can give an ability to forgive as well as the reality of being forgiven.
2. I’ve witnessed it. I’ve felt it.
F. “The Lord’s prayer.”
----
a Zech. 13:7
b Some early manuscripts do not have twice.
[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) . Zondervan: Grand Rapids
[2]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) . Zondervan: Grand Rapids
[3]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) . Zondervan: Grand Rapids
[4]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) . Zondervan: Grand Rapids