Forgiven, Forgotten, Amen!

"Forgiven, Forgotten, Amen!"

1 John 1:1-10

Scripture Reading

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Introduction: There is one doctrine that separates Christianity from all other world religions and it is what Christianity declares about the forgiveness of sin.

In all other world religions you have to die for your god; in Christianity your God dies for you! He dies so that your sins can be forgiven. Why is it important for us to have our sins forgiven?

If God didn't forgive sinners, heaven would be empty!

I. The Authority of the Scripture

a. The person who forgives our sins

First, forgiveness of sin is based on the "Word of Life." What or who is this a reference too? It is clear that John is referring to Jesus Christ. The reason God forgives sin is because of the "Word of Life."

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

b. The power to forgive our sins

Jesus clearly established that He had the power to forgive sin.

Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house.

c. The propitiation that makes forgiveness possible

What does this word mean? It is used on two times in the NT and has the idea of appeasement, or satisfying one who has been wronged. Literally it means to appease or conciliate somebody or something or to win ones favor.

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

"The propitiation is as wide as the sin"

Vincent Word Studies

Martin Luther wrote that this was not just for Peter's sin or Paul's sin by for my sin!

Second, forgiveness of sin is based on:

II. The Admission of the Sinner

A PREREQUISITE TO FORGIVENESS

A pastor finished his message early one Sunday, (and that pastor was not me) and he wanted to check his congregation's understanding. So he asked, "Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?"