SF738 - WE RECEIVE GOD'S PARDON - HOW TO PRAY - JESUS WAY (Matthew 6 12a)
Matthew 6:12
INTRODUCTION
Review
True prayer centers on God’s glory.
John 14:13 “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
True prayer results in our joy.
John 16:24 “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”
We have discussed God’s paternity and priority (6:9). We have examined God’s program and purpose (6:10). Last week we learned about God’s provision.
Today, we will examine God’s pardon
Overview
The emphasis of this verse
Ø The focus is on sin and forgiveness
Ø Forgiveness is the greatest need of man
Four Biblical principles about sin and forgiveness
Ø Sin makes man guilty and brings judgment.
Ø Forgiveness is provided by God through Christ's death.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJ) “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…”
Ø Repentance of sin is necessary in order to experience forgiveness.
Ø We must forgive one another to receive forgiveness ourselves.
1A. Our Problem - Sin
1B. What sin is
Sin is missing the mark
Ø “Hamartia,” to miss the mark
Romans 3:23 (NKJ ) “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Ø What is the mark?
Matthew 5:48 (NKJ) “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”
Ø Speaks of our inability to hit the mark.
Sin crossing the line
Ø “Parabasis,” to step across a line
Romans 4:15 “for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”
Ø Refers to actually being compelled to sin.
Sin is breaking the law
Ø “Anomia;” “nomos,” law; “a,” anti or against; lawlessness, to flagrantly break God's law
1 John 3:4 “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.”
Ø Speaks of our rebellion against God.
Sin is a slippery slope
Ø “Paraptoma,” trespasses, to slip or fall
Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”
Ø Speaks of our lack of self-control
Sin is a debt to be paid (6:12)
Ø “Opheilema,” debt, the verb is used to refer to either a moral or monetary debt
Ø When you sin, you owe God a debt because you have violated His holiness.
2B. Where sin is found
Sin resides in every man
Romans 3:10-12 (NKJ) “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.’”
Ø “turned aside” = to go bad (i.e. spoiled milk)
Romans 3:23 (NKJ) “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Romans 5:12 (NKJ) “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned”
Psalm 51:5 (NKJ) “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.”
3B. What sin does
Sin enslaves you.
John 8:34 (NKJ ) “Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.’”
Ephesians 2:2 (NKJ) “…you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,”
Sin robs you.
Isaiah 57:21 “‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’”
Sin condemns you.
Ephesians 2:3 (NKJ) “among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”
Romans 6:23 (NKJ ) “For the wages of sin is death…”
Jeremiah 13:23 (NKJ) “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.”
2A. God’s Provision - Forgiveness
1B. Forgiveness explained.
God passes by our sin
Micah 7:18-19 “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea.”
God removes our sin
Isaiah 53:6 (NKJ) “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
God covers our sin
Psalm 85:2 “You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin.”
God blots out our sin
Isaiah 43:25 (NKJ ) “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.”
God refuses to remember our sin
Jeremiah 31:34 “…for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
2B. Forgiveness expressed – Judicial/positional forgiveness
The pronouncement of forgiveness
Ø God as the judge of the universe grants us positional forgiveness.
Ø Forgiveness is granted for past, present, and future sin.
Ø Forgiveness is experienced when you repent and trust Christ.
The payment for forgiveness
Matthew 26:28 “for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”
Ephesians 1:7 (NKJ ) “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”
1 John 2:12 (NKJ) “I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.”
The position of the forgiven (Hebrews 10:10-14)
Ø We are made pure (10:10)
“Sanctified” = to be made pure, to be set apart
Ø Our forgiveness is permanent (10:11-12)
Ø We are made perfect (10:14)
3B. Forgiveness experienced – Parental/practical forgiveness
Practical forgiveness defined
Ø Although all our sins have been forgiven, each sin we commit affects our relationship with God. The relationship does not end, but the intimacy/fellowship of it can be lost.
Ø Christ is talking about practical forgiveness in Matthew 6:12, forgiveness that gives us the fullness of joy in intimacy with God.
Practical forgiveness demonstrated (John 13:8-10)
Ø By our daily experience
Clean Body ‑ positional forgiveness, justification; once
Dirty feet ‑ daily sin ‑ practical forgiveness; daily
1 John 1:9 (NKJ) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Ø By God’s grace and mercy
Micah 7:18 (NKJ) “Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.”
Romans 5:20 (NKJ) “…where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,”
Application
May we pray as the Puritan saint of old,
“Grant me never to lose sight of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the exceeding righteousness of salvation, the exceeding glory of Christ, the exceeding beauty of holiness, and the exceeding wonder of grace.” (Arthur Bennett, ed., The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions [Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1975], pp. 76, 83).
Forgiveness needed - what have you done against God?
Forgiveness sought - have you asked God to forgive you?
Forgiveness experienced - have you repented of your sins and placed your faith in Christ alone?
1A. Our Problem - ______________________
1B. What sin is
Sin is ___________________________ the mark
Ø “Hamartia,” to miss the mark (Romans 3:23; Matthew 5:48)
Sin _______________________________ the line
Ø “Parabasis,” to step across a line (Romans 4:15)
Sin is _____________________________ the law
Ø “Anomia;” “nomos,” law; “a,” anti or against; lawlessness, to flagrantly break God's law (1 John 3:4 )
Sin is a slippery slope
Ø “Paraptoma,” respasses, to slip or fall (Galatians 6:1)
Sin is a ____________________ to be paid (6:12)
Ø “Opheilema,” debt, the verb is used to refer to either a moral or monetary debt
2B. Where sin is found
Sin resides in _____________ man (Romans 3:10-12, 23; 5:12; Psalm 51:5)
3B. What sin does
Sin __________ you. (John 8:34; Ephesians 2:2)
Sin ___________________ you. (Isaiah 57:21)
Sin __________________ you. (Ephesians 2:3; Romans 6:23; Jeremiah 13:23)
2A. God’s Provision - Forgiveness
1B. Forgiveness explained.
God ______________ by our sin (Micah 7:18-19)
God ____________________ our sin (Isaiah 53:6)
God ____________________ our sin (Psalm 85:2)
God _______________ out our sin (Isaiah 43:25)
God refuses to remember our sin (Jeremiah 31:34)
2B. Forgiveness expressed – Judicial/positional forgiveness
The pronouncement of forgiveness
The _________________________ for forgiveness (Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7: 1 John 2:12)
The position of the forgiven (Hebrews 10:10-14)
3B. Forgiveness experienced – Parental/practical forgiveness
Practical forgiveness defined
Practical forgiveness _______________________ (John 13:8-10)
Ø By our daily experience (1 John 1:9)
Ø By God’s grace and mercy (Micah 7:18; Romans 5:20)