I'm Off the Hook!

I don’t know about you and how you feel about it on this Sunday morning, but I’m so glad I’ve been forgiven. There is freedom in being forgiven. And forgiveness is a godly act of love, and when God gave us Jesus it was in part for the purpose of providing us with forgiveness.

We spend a lot of time in church preaching, teaching, singing, about all of the good things God does for his people and we should. We celebrate healing, physical blessings, we discuss marriages and family, we talk about how to manage life in a cold world, and just consider the many lessons of the scriptures. But, we must not neglect to talk about forgiveness. Because we cannot discuss the goodness, mercy, grace, and love of God without including pardoning of sin to access those blessings. The problem with discussing forgiveness is that when you do you must also discuss sin, because it is sin that we are being forgiven of. And in the year of our Lord and COVID and cops 2021, it is unpopular as it as ever been to talk about sin. And I’m not going to labor on sin, but I want us to understand that sin is real and God is not pleased with it. Sin is missing the mark, transgression is breaking the rule, iniquity is the evil wrong doing. (Preach)

But God so loved the world

1. Blessings of Forgiveness (v. 1-2)

Forgiven-lifted my load

Covered- concealed it. Can’t find it.

Credited- That even though you are guilty God doesn’t charge you for it. In other words you have a long sin bill and you can’t afford to pay it, but God cleared it. HE gave you an eternal dept cancellation. Imagine if you acquired a financial dept so great that it cost you your freedom and the only way to pay it off is to spend the rest of your natural life working for it night and day with no rest. But just before you begin to serve your sentence the Judge said, “on second though i choose not to hold that dept against you.” Wouldn’t you be happy? How much more then when God…(Preach)

Physical problems- “Yes, secrets can cause both mental and physical disorder. Thinking about the secrets we’re keeping too often may result in anxiety, depression, conflict with the brain’s prefrontal cortex, and more mind-related complications.” Anxiety disorders can cause rapid heart rate, palpitations, and chest pain. You may also be at an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. If you already have heart disease, anxiety disorders may raise the risk of coronary events.” healthline.com

Mental Issues- distractions. groaning all day long.

Spiritual issues- He said God’s hand was heavy upon me.

3. Accessed Forgiveness (v.5)

Acknowledge sin- You can’t be forgiven unto you acknowledge it.

Expose sin

Confess sin

4. Urgency of Forgiveness (v.6-7)

Storm is coming.