Sermon Central
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The Spirit Of Forgiveness
Contributed by Kevin Smith on Jun 7, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: The message SALVATION and its meaning FORGIVNESS are ours to deliver, and we need to receive the Holy Spirit to do both.
To set the stage…
1. Jesus went to the Cross and was brutally beaten and was seen by His disciples.
2. Jesus was buried by some of His disciples in a tomb
3. Three days latter He rose again
4. Mary Magdelene saw Him risen
Jesus is now risen and is in a “Supernatural” body. The disciples are meeting with the doors shut because they were afraid and Jesus appeared with them.
When they saw His side and His hands they knew it was Jesus and He was risen.
Now a few things we can learn from this passage…
I. Jesus commissioned His disciples (He told them what to do)
a. Vs. 21-23
b. Commissioning means to send forth
c. The commissioning of the disciples to the mission of Christ is what made them “apostles” or “sent-forth ones”
d. Matthew 28:19-20 states the great commission
II. He Breathed on them the Holy Spirit (He gave them the power)
a. Vs. 22
b. Genesis 2:7 & Ezekiel 37:8
c. Jesus breathed life into His own, the distinction between the old and the new
d. Old creation began with a breath of God, and this new creation began with a breath of God
e. This was the beginning of the new Covenant in action
III. He gave them a mission in that power (He sent them in that power)
a. Vs 21-23
b. The aspect of Christ’s mission is being conveyed to His disciples as their commission as well: Go with forgiveness
c. It is stated here as both a mandate (directive) and a mission
i. As God the Father sent His Son to make available Salvation to all, His disciples are sent to insure that availability is understood by everyone
ii. “If you forgive” indicates the conditional nature of His provision. It cannot be responded to unless it is delivered.
The message is…
We are not only sent with the substance of the message – Salvation but…
We are sent to bring the spirit of its truth – forgiveness.
Only the breath of His Holy Spirit can enable us to go obediently and reach lovingly.
The message SALVATION and its meaning FORGIVNESS are ours to deliver, and we need to receive the Holy Spirit to do both.
