Sermon Central
-
The Man Who Rejected A Pardon
Contributed by David Goering on Nov 2, 2019 (message contributor)
ILLUSTRATION: The man who rejected a pardon.
1.) I found this true story online. United States v. Wilson, 32 U.S. 150 (1833), was a case in the United States in which the defendant, George Wilson, was convicted of robbing the US Mail in Pennsylvania and sentenced to death. Due to his friends' influence, Wilson was pardoned by Andrew Jackson. Wilson, however, refused the pardon. The Supreme Court was thus asked to rule on the case.The decision was that if the prisoner does not accept the pardon, it is not in effect: "A pardon is a deed, to the validity of which delivery is essential, and delivery is not complete without acceptance. It may then be rejected by the person to whom it is tendered; and if it is rejected, we have discovered no power in this court to force it upon him." Therefore, Wilson was hanged.
APPLICATION: Possible reasons why Wilson rejected the pardon offered to him, combined with spiritual applications.
1.) Maybe he was too proud to receive the pardon. It is possible for sinners to be too proud to receive God's pardon. Psalms 10:4 "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."
2.) Maybe he didn't value his life, many times sinners don't value their soul. Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
3.) Maybe he didn't believe the pardon was actually genuine. Sometime sinners refuse to believe that God's offer to pardon them is genuine. Romans 3:3-4 "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar"
4.) Maybe he felt like he deserved the death penalty, and for that reason he was willing to die, I have had sinners tell me, "well, if I deserve to go to hell that's what I'll get." Psalms 55:15 "Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them."
5.) Maybe he hated the president that offered him the pardon and therefore he rejected it, some sinners hate God so much that they would reject the pardon no matter what. Romans 1:30 "haters of God"
Zechariah 11:8 "my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me."
6.) Maybe his life had no meaning, and he felt no purpose to live. The book of Ecclesiastes was written as a man searching for meaning to life while leaving God out. Ecclesiastes 2:17 "Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit"
CONCLUSION: Sin is always a violent attack on Gods glory, but God has through Christ satisfied what the justice of God calls for in the punishment of sin by his propitiatory sacrifice, the Lord Jesus Christ became the full payment for all iniquity, and God can through Christ offer a full pardon to any sinner that will repent of his sins and receive Christ as his only hope of Salvation. Jeremiah 33:8 "And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me."
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
The Command Came, "On Your Mark, Get Set," And ... PRO
Contributed by Tim Richards on Dec 1, 2004
The command came, "On your mark, get set," and then the pistol cracked and the race was on. A fine athlete sprang to the lead, and when the race was over he had broke the state record. Only a few other runners even finished the race. Many dropped out when they saw they could not win. As the field ...read more
-
Over The Long Run, Love's Power To Forgive Is ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 1, 2004
"Over the long run, love’s power to forgive is stronger than hate’s power to ...read more
-
In The Early 60's, Vince Lombardi, Just After ... PRO
Contributed by Todd Stiles on Jan 18, 2007
In the early 60’s, Vince Lombardi, just after losing a Superbowl and on the eve of a new season, rallied his team in the locker room one day and mounted the bench for a speech. He reviewed last year’s loss, then began to talk about the plans for a return trip to he great game and how they would ...read more
-
Dave Brown, Author Of "Entertaining Ourselves In ...
Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Aug 12, 2005
Dave Brown, author of “Entertaining Ourselves in church” speaks about “Neil Postman, a professor of communications arts and sciences at New York University wrote a fascinating book called, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. He says, “Postman doesn’t write as ...read more
-
In His Book, When God Whispers Your Name, Max ... PRO
Contributed by Tim Richards on Dec 1, 2004
In his book, When God Whispers Your Name, Max Lucado tells the story of John Egglen, who had never preached a sermon in his life before the Sunday morning when it snowed and the pastor wasn’t able to make it to the church. In fact, he was the only deacon to show up. He was not a preacher, but he ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Is Physical Healing/Deliverance Guaranteed/Provided For In The Atonement?
Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Nov 14, 2017
A detailed look at the Atonement in relation to physical healing.
-
The Prodigal Son's Brother
Contributed by Sean Harder on Jul 6, 2012
Chapter 15 of Luke is the start of a new discussion as Jesus makes his way into Jerusalem to fulfill his ultimate sacrificial mission. It begins with the Scribes and Pharisees grumbling because Jesus always allowed sinners to listen to him and eat with hi
-
The Power Of Forgiveness
Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Oct 30, 2021
God forgives us our sins, and He commands us to always forgive those that offend us in any way of the other. When we do, we have a lot of blessings to enjoy.
-
Easter’s Life Changing Message
Contributed by Dennis Lee on Apr 14, 2019
This sermon looks at Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its life changing message that our sins are forgiven, we have a purpose to live out through the power and promises of Christ, and our eternal future is secured in heaven.
-
The Gomer In Me
Contributed by Kraig Pullam on Feb 17, 2014
Hosea's love for a promiscuous wife becomes the clearest example of God's love for wayward people.
